Is it important to have an average understanding of the English language when you are piloting an aircraft ? I have received many questions recently about the importance of English Language and the ELP, ( English Language Proficiency) interview at CAAP Philippines. Seems there is still a lot of uncertainty about this subjects, so allow me to enlighten you.
Is English Language important for a Pilot ?
Yes ! Yes ! It is crucial that a pilot is able to speak English since it is one of the most commonly used ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) languages. It all starts from the base that is the flying school that a student pilot had enrolled in. Most theory books are written in English, all tests are in English and during flight trainings, their instructors speaks in English (there are some exceptions of course). Each maneuvers and procedures are also written and practiced in English. Pilots use a common language while communicating with each other and also with the air traffic control. This common language is necessary because confusion should be kept to a minimum in the entire aviation sector.
How well do you need to understand the language ?
Don't get me wrong, you do need to be a native English speaker in order to become a Pilot. With or without an accent, you just need to be understandable for your colleagues. That is what it is all about. If you speak to me in person, you probably noticed that I speak English like a typical Malaysian person. I have a strong tendency to create sentences without an accent. But, Hey you can understand me right ? :)
What if your English is not good enough ?
As with a lot of things in life, you can improve just about anything as long as you work for it. As the saying goes " No Pain No Gain " clearly makes you understand that without an effort you can't achieve something you always wanted. Just study the language, speak English on a regular basis. The most important thing is reading English books and English articles on the newspapers. Still having problems ? Let me tell you an interesting way. Watch English movies with English subtitles. This can help you improve your speaking and writting skills. If you are still in high school and dream about becoming a Pilot, you should also keep this in mind.
What is an ELP ?
ELP or well known as English Language Proficiency are exams or face to face interview that takes place at CAAP during you exams. Well, I m not having much knowledge about the importance of ELP. As for me, it is required for my PPL Licensing in Manila during my PPL exams. It is quite straight forward. There are different sorts of exams though. In general it all comes down to this :-
1. Maybe you need to listen to an audio tape and answer questions about it. It is definitely
doable !. The tape is usually a recording of an ATC conversation.
2. Maybe you will be given different kind of scenarios like situations and conversation at the
cockpit and the interviewer expects you to state the relevant actions to be taken
according to those scenarios.
Your grade will depend on your pronounciation , use of vocabulary and the number of correct answers. If you received level 1 to 3 means you have failed the ELP exam. You only can pass the ELP exam with a minimum level of 4 or higher. Level 6 is the maximum achievable level. If you get level 4 or 5 don't be sad as this doesn't makes you look bad in speaking English.
LPE levels and Validity
Level 4 - Validity : 3 years
Level 5 - Validity : 6 years
Level 6 - Validity : Valid Permanently
I hope I was able to clarify those 2 subjects above. If you still have any questions or doubts, please drop a comment below or direct message me on my facebook messenger. just search me up at Rhevin Magendran. Any interesting topics you want me to write about, do let me know there. thank you and have a great day ahead everyone. And to my Pilot friends out there, safe skies and safe landings. Cheers!
Is English Language important for a Pilot ?
Yes ! Yes ! It is crucial that a pilot is able to speak English since it is one of the most commonly used ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) languages. It all starts from the base that is the flying school that a student pilot had enrolled in. Most theory books are written in English, all tests are in English and during flight trainings, their instructors speaks in English (there are some exceptions of course). Each maneuvers and procedures are also written and practiced in English. Pilots use a common language while communicating with each other and also with the air traffic control. This common language is necessary because confusion should be kept to a minimum in the entire aviation sector.
How well do you need to understand the language ?
Don't get me wrong, you do need to be a native English speaker in order to become a Pilot. With or without an accent, you just need to be understandable for your colleagues. That is what it is all about. If you speak to me in person, you probably noticed that I speak English like a typical Malaysian person. I have a strong tendency to create sentences without an accent. But, Hey you can understand me right ? :)
What if your English is not good enough ?
As with a lot of things in life, you can improve just about anything as long as you work for it. As the saying goes " No Pain No Gain " clearly makes you understand that without an effort you can't achieve something you always wanted. Just study the language, speak English on a regular basis. The most important thing is reading English books and English articles on the newspapers. Still having problems ? Let me tell you an interesting way. Watch English movies with English subtitles. This can help you improve your speaking and writting skills. If you are still in high school and dream about becoming a Pilot, you should also keep this in mind.
What is an ELP ?
ELP or well known as English Language Proficiency are exams or face to face interview that takes place at CAAP during you exams. Well, I m not having much knowledge about the importance of ELP. As for me, it is required for my PPL Licensing in Manila during my PPL exams. It is quite straight forward. There are different sorts of exams though. In general it all comes down to this :-
1. Maybe you need to listen to an audio tape and answer questions about it. It is definitely
doable !. The tape is usually a recording of an ATC conversation.
2. Maybe you will be given different kind of scenarios like situations and conversation at the
cockpit and the interviewer expects you to state the relevant actions to be taken
according to those scenarios.
Your grade will depend on your pronounciation , use of vocabulary and the number of correct answers. If you received level 1 to 3 means you have failed the ELP exam. You only can pass the ELP exam with a minimum level of 4 or higher. Level 6 is the maximum achievable level. If you get level 4 or 5 don't be sad as this doesn't makes you look bad in speaking English.
LPE levels and Validity
Level 4 - Validity : 3 years
Level 5 - Validity : 6 years
Level 6 - Validity : Valid Permanently
I hope I was able to clarify those 2 subjects above. If you still have any questions or doubts, please drop a comment below or direct message me on my facebook messenger. just search me up at Rhevin Magendran. Any interesting topics you want me to write about, do let me know there. thank you and have a great day ahead everyone. And to my Pilot friends out there, safe skies and safe landings. Cheers!
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