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March 2007

Introduction to Third Edition of Aviation English Services newsletter

Greetings and welcome to the third edition of our e-newsletter

Interview with Captain Rick Valdes (Part Two)

Part One mentioned concerns about implementation, Part two addresses those concerns

ICAO grants 3-year implementation period

Additional time required by some States

AES Web-based training

A client perspective - a letter from the Managing Director Z-Wings Aviation Institute

Upcoming Events

ATC Global Exhibition and Conference

AES Associates

  

Introduction to Third Edition of AES newsletter 


Greetings and welcome to the third edition of our e-newsletter. By the time you read this the deadline for ICAO English language proficiency will be with us. It is therefore timely to write and update you on what AES has been doing recently and what is coming up in 2008.

Recently, ICAO Resolution A36-11 granted a three year implementation period for full compliance with the ICAO requirements. This however has not removed the safety-driven imperative to change or improve. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rather it is in recognition of the enormity of the task some States face in meeting these requirements that ICAO has granted this implementation period, and requested that each State unable to meet the requirements submit and have accepted an implementation plan including risk mitigation strategies on or before 5 March 2008.

At Aviation English Services (AES) we have been concerned that some uncertainty may exist amongst States as to how to address the ICAO requirements. As a result we have initiated a programme in leading industry magazines to dispel some of the myths about aviation English.

Language learning, especially in an industry such as aviation, rich with jargon and acronyms is not easy and short courses are unlikely to deliver results. AES knows that language learning takes time and effort, and has developed solutions for pilots and controllers drawing on the experience of experts from around the globe.

2007 has been a busy year for AES with the Level 2 and Level 3 professional pilot and controller courseware completed and in use. During the year AES has had a client base extending to many corners of the world. This has included, Mexico, USA, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Jordan, and Kuwait. In addition, we are in consultation with potential customers in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Thailand and Ethiopia. Over the year we have established a number of agents/re-sellers who now provide a regional point of contact for clients. We currently have agents/resellers in France, Jordan, Netherlands, Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Korea.

One of AES’ clients, a Japanese pilot and Managing Director of a pilot training organisation recently commented:

“As soon as I started this program I was fascinated. The interface is so friendly and easy to use, everyone can use without complicated manuals. Contents are well designed and very attractive, never loose interest. And of course anyone can use this fantastic program from anywhere in the world.”

At AES we believe 2008 marks the beginning of important and necessary steps towards ICAO compliant English language proficiency for international pilots and controllers. We look forward to finding ways of working with many more new and existing clients in 2008 on this important safety initiative.

Bruce Heesterman
Company Director, AES

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Part Two of an article by Captain Rick Valdes   

In Part One of our interview you mentioned concerns about the implementation of the ICAO requirements. What are those concerns?

I am apprehensive about who will certify that the tests being used are adequate. The lack of testing and training standards are of concern as this could lead to invalid test results.

ICAO is in the process of setting testing standards. Once established, it will be the best way to prevent ICAO level 4, 5, or 6, from being interpreted differently in each State.

Training programs need to be accredited too. There are no standards set in the language training industry, I could open the “Rick Valdes School of English”…………….. Many fail to really understand the ICAO requirements and the different needs of the aviation industry, therefore are not able to provide the training needed to achieve ICAO Operational Level 4.

How does language training in the aviation industry have to be different from English as usual?

We go back to the ICAO Standards. It must be aviation specific, but not just the phraseology or radiotelephony. English training needs to be broad in scope – situations like hijackings, a passenger wielding a knife on board, or a cabin fire, use common language but could require aviation English in a minute, if an unusual event occurs.

It is a lot easier for ab-initio trainees with six months or more (including lots of classroom time) available to get English training. It is more difficult for professional pilots with work and personal commitments to allocate study time - more time is required. Classroom training for three, four or five months is not possible. More support is needed and I am sure everybody understands that.

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ICAO grants 3-year Implementation period for English Language Proficiency requirements

In September 2007, the ICAO Assembly adopted Resolution A36-30/1. In that resolution ICAO recognised that many States have made substantial efforts to comply with the ICAO English language proficiency requirement by the applicability date of 5 March 2008 but that some States need additional time.

ICAO Assembly Resolution A36-30/1 urges States that are not able to comply by 5 March 2008 to post a language proficiency implementation plan on the ICAO website.

The Implementation Plan

States should develop an Implementation Plan that:

  1. Assesses their progress so far;
  2. Explains their plan for full compliance;
  3. Posts a description of the interim measures they are taking to mitigate risk until full compliance is achieved.

In developing this Implementation Plan it is recommended that States seek expert assistance to:

  • Survey State implementation efforts made so far;
  • Review State benchmark and licensing test systems;
  • Recommend interim risk mitigation procedures;
  • Write the Implementation Plan document; and
  • Assess plan outcomes.
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AES Web-based Training - a client perspective

Letter written by the Managing Director of Z-Wings Aviation Institute

"English language has been one of the biggest problems for our Japanese aviation students. As a flying instructor, we would like to minimize their flight training time. However, because of the English language problem, mainly ATC radio procedures, they took such a long time to complete their course.

I have tried to find a good English course for them for a long time, but there was no success. One day I found an English course for air traffic controllers provided by the Airways International. I contacted to the airways immediately.

It was my lucky day because the person from airways introduced us an AES program. I also had an opportunity to be a monitor of their web based training module.
As soon as I started this program, I was fascinated. The interface is so friendly and easy to use, everyone can use without complicated manuals. Contents are well designed and very attractive, never loose interest. And of course, WBT, anyone can use this fantastic program from any where in the world.

My favorite contents were ‘safety related videos’. As well as an English language lesson, it also provides a lot of safety information through the video. I have already learned some new knowledge regarding to the safety operations. This is the biggest extra.

In the listening lesson, they were spoken by different nationality people. This lesson will be very difficult for ESL students, but this will be a best practices.

I also used “glossary” many times. It is a handy dictionary which includes important word from video. If it has more words like a normal dictionary, it would be better. Hidden secrets are the “data” and “help” sections. “Data” section provides some additional information of the video; it is very good to read.” Help” section provides additional information about English language. These are very good to increase knowledge.
I usually spend about 3-4 hours for each phase, just following the order of the original design. Whenever I find new information, including new words, new knowledge, pronunciation, I wrote them down on the note. I also tried same exercise for a couple of times to remember something.

I think this is the best way to use this program as ESL students including Japanese students. It takes longer to complete one phase but the effectiveness will be much better. If we could record those voice data into CD or MP3 player and listen to it all day, it would be great.

As an ESL pilot flying in New Zealand, I am very happy to use this program for the ICAO English proficiency test preparation and for the safety operations. This program is not only for the professional pilot but also for the student pilot.

Although AES provides only the professional programs at this moment, I think Ab-initio version and level 5 and 6 version would be great products as well.

Masahiro Yagi
Managing Director
Z-Wings Aviation Institute"

 

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Upcoming events

ATC Global Amsterdam 11-13 March

 

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AES Associates

AES is very pleased to be working with the following Associates:

Queen Noor civil Aviation Technical College www.qnac.edu.jo

ALAS de America www.alasdeamerica.com.mx

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University www.erau.edu

G-TELP www.gtelp.co.kr

Z-wings www.pilot-license.net.nz

Aviation Management College Malaysia www.aviationtraining.com.my

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology www.nmit.ac.nz

Jetway Aeronautics www.jetwayaero.com

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