Malta

Language Proficiency Requirements Implementation

ICAO Workshop Rome 3-5 March 2010

ICAO LPR Implementation

• Did not present major difficulties.

• Level of English Proficiency is high

• Student learn English for at least 11 years (1500 hours classroom time)

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Education System

• Ensures at least proficiency level 4.

• 82% Level 6, 16% Level 5, 2% Level 4

• Text books in almost all subjects are in English.

Awareness

• Stakeholders are familiar with the ICAO language proficiency requirements (pilots, air traffic controllers, language teachers, regulators, etc.)

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• PEL Notices issued to inform pilots, controllers, training organisations and operators - about the requirements.

• Notices included information about the test.

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Promulgation, legislation andresponsibility (1)

• ICAO language proficiency requirements (Amendment 164 to Annex 1) have been incorporated into national legislation

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• JAR-FCL Amendment 7

• Transposition of Directive 2006/23/EC on air traffic controller licences.

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Promulgation, legislation andresponsibility (2)

• State has identified and approved the minimum level of language proficiency for ab initio training for ATCOs and pilots

• Implementation Status – Pilots No / Air Traffic Controllers No

• Level of English at school leaving age accepted to start ab inito training.

• No difficulty to follow courses in English.

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National coordinator(s)

• State has nominated a contact person(s) within the State Authority, airline or ANSP(s) to be responsible for coordination of matters at the national level dealing with the implementation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Contact Person Nominated

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National implementation plan

• State has developed, approved, published on the ICAO web-page and is regularly updating the national plan of implantation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Malta has met ICAO deadline of 5 March 2008.

• Letter sent to ICAO and published on the ICAO web site

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English language training

• English language training packages are in place to meet and maintain ICAO level 4 requirements

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• No additional English language training is required for locals to meet and maintain level 4.

• English language training packages are in place

for foreign students and for locals who need to improve their language proficiency.

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Resources for implementation

• State has assessed and secured the resources needed to meet the ICAO language proficiency requirements

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Malta has the required resources.

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Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors)

• State has selected and accredited at national level the following language proficiency tests

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Only one approved test in Malta.

• Developed by the Authority with the help of language specialists and subject matter experts.

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Language Proficiency test(1)

• Language Specialist conducts one-to-one test and rates the applicant.

• Language Specialist tests plain language only.

• Phraseology is tested by an RT (operational) examiner.

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Language Proficiency test(2)

• Takes about 30 minutes.• Starts with audio recordings – pilot /

controller.• Audio recordings have a variety of accents

to enhance validity. • Aviation-related subjects• Part of the test is without visual cues.• Language Specialist can ask about a wide

range of topics – not possible to memorise answers for the test.

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Language Proficiency test(3)

• In borderline cases the language specialists can request the assistance of a subject matter expert.

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Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors)

• State has an approved programme of accreditation for testing personnel.

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• In Malta there are only 4 authorised language specialists (Raters).

• Employed by the Authority.

• Number sufficient for a total of 500 licences.

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Rater Qualification

• First degree (Bachelor’s) in English from the University of Malta or equivalent, or

• First degree in Education with English as one of the main subjects

• Familiar with language assessment and evaluation procedures and principles.

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Rater Training (1)

• ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements

• Annex 1 as it relates to language proficiency

• ICAO Manual on the implementation of language proficiency requirements

• Sample audio assessments

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Rater Training (2)

• Training focussed on pilot operation• Airplane and Flight Segment Terminology

• The Aircraft Structure, Aircraft components, Flight Controls, Flight Segments

• Duties in normal operations, Flight Phases, ATC Communication, Normal Procedures

• Abnormal Procedures

• Emergency Procedures, Work Load During Emergency Procedures, Task Sharing

• Accident Review

• Accidents and incidents where language was a factor.

• Ex: B747 Accident in Tenerife

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Rater Training (3)

• Training focussed on ATC Operations• Air Traffic Control (an overview), Phraseology

• Different types of emergencies, Airspace and ATC sections,

• R/T communications with aircraft

• General requirements – fight plans/transponder codes…

• Overview of EUROCONTROL Document “Guidelines for controller training in the handling of unusual/emergency situations

• Visits to:• Aerodrome Control

• Approach Control

• Area Control

• Apron Control

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Rater Training (4)

• Familiarisation flight on a large transport aircraft

• Final briefing on test procedure

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Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors)

• Raters and interlocutors attend regular refresher courses to maintain standards

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Refresher training is being set up where all the raters share their experience with subject matter experts and receive refresher training on operational aspects.

• No interlocutors are used.

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Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 2

• What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests?

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Level 4 (+) Pilots 100% / Controllers 100%.

• Tested by a Language Specialist

Pilots 72% / Controllers 100%

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Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 3

• What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests?

• Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes

• Pilots issued a temporary certificate are required to be tested by a language specialist by 4 March 2011.

• Where tests by a language specialist have not yet been conducted the level 4 is based on previous assessments by an operational examiner - JAR-FCL 1.005 (5) (B).

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Summary

• English is one of the two official languages.

• Widely used and frequently practised.

• Malta is compliant with the ICAO requirements.

From Transport Malta

Thank you

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