Some 100 delegates from 31 countries and international organisations gathered in Singapore to address the global concern over the communicative competence in international civil aviation to enhance safety. The…
Some 100 delegates from 31 countries and international organisations gathered in Singapore to address the global concern over the communicative competence in international civil aviation to enhance safety. The ‘Conference on Aeronautical English – Speaking Right for Safety’, which harnessed the knowledge and experience of international experts from leading regulatory authorities and renowned language specialists, was organised by the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) from 31 July to 2 August 2006. This is the first such Conference organised by SAA.
Communication problems have often been implicated in many aviation accidents and runway incursions. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), more than 1,500 passengers and crew have lost their lives in accidents worldwide, with causes traced to problems in communication brought about by deficiency in the English language proficiency on the part of flight crew and controllers. Concern over the role of language in aviation accidents had prompted ICAO to introduce new requirements and establish minimum English language proficiency levels for international civil aviation. These include testing and certification of the language proficiency of air traffic controllers and pilots as well as corrective training for those who are unable to meet ICAO’s standards. All 189 member States of ICAO are required to meet these new English proficiency standards by March 2008.
The 3-day Conference provided in-depth coverage of ICAO’s language proficiency requirements and its holistic descriptors and rating scale, the methods for testing and certification of language proficiency as well as training strategies to meet ICAO’s standards. Various international regulatory bodies and institutions such as ICAO, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations, the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA), Aerothai, Regional Language Centre as well as civil aviation authorities of Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore, provided insights to the initiatives taken by their organisations in meeting these requirements. The perspectives of both pilots and air traffic controllers were also discussed at the Conference.
Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), said, “Singapore fully supports all ICAO initiatives that would enhance safety in aviation. All Singapore air traffic controllers and pilots are currently licensed in accordance with the ICAO medical standards and proficiency checks.”
Mr Wong continued, “To meet the new language proficiency requirements, CAAS has been working closely with the industry on the implementation. Together with language consultants, CAAS has developed standard screening tests for our air traffic controllers and pilots, which would help establish their level of English language proficiency. Those who fail to demonstrate the expert level of proficiency will be required to undergo specialised language training.”
In his Keynote Address at the Conference, Mr Adrian Sayce, President, ICAO Air Navigation Commission, said, “There is no doubt that the subject of this Conference is extremely important to assure high levels of safety in the future of our Global Air Transport system. The issue of competence in aeronautical English is one of those Standards that are essential to assure a high level of safety. This Conference is an essential part of the process that leads towards satisfactory implementation.”
Mr John Wagstaff, Asia Pacific Regional Representative, IFATCA, and a speaker at the Conference, said, “The guidance information and examples of other State’s plans will be very beneficial for all delegates. This Conference demonstrated CAAS’ proactiveness in this area and CAAS’ leadership in the region on this matter.”
Delegates who attended the Conference were clearly impressed with the discussions held. Mr Martey Boye Atoklo, an air traffic control manager and instructor with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, said, “Aeronautical English is a rather new concept by ICAO with a number of grey areas. The variety of speakers from the selected organisations has thrown substantial light on the issues which are ambiguous. The information received at this Conference is invaluable and would contribute to further developing and improving standards and procedures in Ghana.”
To further assist States in preparing for the new ICAO standards, later this year, SAA will also be introducing new programmes to train the testers, as well as pilots and controllers who cannot meet ICAO’s proficiency requirements.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
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