Language Proficiency Requirements

Wilhelm Schulze-MarmelingLuftfahrt-Bundesamt

Workshop Langen, September 6 - 7, 2007

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Summary• ICAO- Annex 1• Objectives• Concept

• Documentation

• Transition

• Discussion

• Evaluation

• Amendment of legislation• Status of Implementation

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ICAO-Annex 1 - 1 -

• As of 5 March 2008, aeroplane, airship, helicopter and powered-lift pilots, shalldemonstrate the ability to speak and understandthe language used for radiotelephonycommunications to the level specified in …Appendix 1.

• As of 5 March 2008, the language proficiency of pilots who demonstrate proficiency below theExpert Level (Level 6) shall be formallyevaluated at intervals in accordance with an individual´s demonstrated proficiency level.

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ICAO-Annex 1 - 2 -

The language proficiency of …pilots who demonstrateproficiency below the Expert Level (Level 6) should beformally evaluated at intervals in accordance with an individual´s demonstrated proficiency level, as follows:

• those demonstrating language proficiency at theOperational Level (Level 4) should be evaluated at least once every three years; and

• those demontrating language proficiency at theExtended Level (Level 5) should be evaluated at least once every six years.

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Objectives• no deviation from standards• interpretation of recommendations

• take into account German specifics (English mandatory in basic school, English checked alreadywhen aquiring BZF I / AZF)

• utilization of existing resources

• alignment with other proficiency checks required

• flexibility

• reduce bureaucracy and additional burden(for both pilots and authorities !)

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Concept -1-

• Initial Evaluationthose acquiring a radiotelephony licence (AZF / BZF I) after 5 March 2008 will be formally assessed.

• Transitionthose holding a radiotelephony licence (AZF / BZF I) on 5 March 2008 will receive (on request) a TransitionCertificate Level 4.

• Evaluation Intervalsafter 3 (level 4) or 6 (level 5) years: PPL and CPL + IR, ATPLafter 4 (level 4) or 8 (level 5) years: PPL and CPL without IR

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Concept -2-

Initial Evaluation

Language Proficiency may be assessed by:

• Bundesnetzagentur: Team composition: additionally trainedexaminer from BNetzA and from DFS (controller), known from radiotelephony license examination. For the time being, level 4 may beevaluated only. Or

• Language School: Needs to be accredited by Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. May evaluate all levels. Based on a cerificate, the licensing authoritywill enter the language proficiency into the license

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Concept -3-Evaluation at Intervals

Language Proficiency may be evaluated by:• Bundesnetzagentur: Team composition: additionally trained examiner from

BNetzA and from DFS (controller), known from radio telephony licenseexamination. For the time being, level 4 may be evaluated only. Or

• Language School: Needs to be accredited by Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. May evaluate all levels. Examiner enters language proficiency into Field XIII of the license. Or

• Operator/ FTO: Needs to be accredited by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. Examiner enters language proficiency into Field XIII of the license Or

• Association (DAeC, AOPA, VC): Needs to be accredited by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. Examiner enters language proficiency into Field XIII of thelicense

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Status of Implementation

• Aviation Community informed• Before some scepticism, now well received by media

• Four Projectgroups *)1. Amendment of Legislation (closed **)) 2. Qualification of Examiners (ongoing)3. Creation of Tests (ongoing)4. Resources (closed)

• FAQs published on LBA- Website

*) MOT, LBA, States, BNetzA, DFS, Operator, DAeC, AOPA, VC, BSprA**) to be passed by the Upper House of Federal Parliament (Bundesrat)

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Amendment of Legislation

Draft „Regulation to Introduce Language Proficiency“ amending

•Regulation on Personnel Licensing (LuftPersV)

•Regulation on Certification and Licensing in Aviation (LuftVZO)

•Regulation on Flight Operation (LuftBO)

•Air Navigation Act (LuftVO)

•Suppl. Regulation on LuftPersV (1. DV LuftPersV)

•Fees and Charges Regulation (LuftKostV)

has been prepared by Project Group 1, Upper House of the Federal Parliament (Bundesrat) requested to pass the new regulation

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Regulation Introducing Language ReqirementsVerordnung zur Einführung von Sprachkenntnissen

Vom 2007Aufgrund von § 32 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 4 des Luftverkehrsgesetzes in der Fassung der

Bekanntmachung vom 27. März 1999 (BGBI. I S. 550), der zuletzt durch Artikel 5 Nr. 9 des Gesetzes vom 09. Dezember 2006 (BGBl. I S. 2833) geändert worden ist, verordnet das Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Stadtentwicklung:

Artikel 1Änderung der Luftverkehrs-OrdnungDie Luftverkehrs-Ordnung in der Fassung der Bekanntmachung vom

………………….., zuletzt geändert durch die Verordnung vom …………….. wird wie folgt geändert:

In § 26a Abs. 2 LuftVO wird folgender Satz angefügt:„Zur Teilnahme am Sprechfunkverkehr im Geltungsbereich dieser Verordnung

bedarf es ausreichender Kenntnisse der im Flugfunkverkehr verwendeten Sprache.“

Artikel 2Änderung der Betriebsordnung für Luftfahrtgerät

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5.3.2008 5.3.20125.3.2010

= AZF/BZF I - Examination

= 1. formal evaluation of language proficiency not later than 2nd Class Rating after 5.3.2008

Transition -1-PPL and CPL without IR

= Class Rating Flight

Level 4 (e.g.)

= License issued

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3

BZF I / AZF +language part

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Transition -2- Level 4 (e.g.)

5.3.2008 5.3.20105.3.2009 5.3.2011

5.3.2012

= IR Proficiency =1. formal evaluation of language proficiency not later than 3rd IR after 5.3.2008

PPL (IR) / CPL (IR) / ATPL

= AZF/BZF I - Examination = License issued

Case 3

Case 1

Case 2

+ language part

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Transition - 3 -

Summary

Adaquate English Language Proficiency (level b4) is deemed to be shown:

PPL and CPL without IR: Until 2nd Class Rating Flight after 5.3.2008

PPL, CPL with IR and ATPL:Until 3rd IR Competency Check Flight after 5.3.2008

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Language Proficiency – Initial Evaluation -

Language Proficiency Evaluation is integrated part of theRadio Telephony Licence examination:

• Phase 1 (theory): as before

• Phase 2 (AIP, Flight Planning, Simulation): as before

• Phase 3: new: (hear (english) and understand). 10 to 15 minutes

• Phase 4: new: examiner discusses a relevant topic. 5 to 10 minutes.

Remark: Phases 1 and 2 support language proficiency evaluation

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Language Proficiency - Recurrent Evaluation -

Language proficiency evaluation integrated into (whatever) other proficiency checks:

• Phase 1 (theory): n.a.

• Phase 2: flight planning and communication during flight in English

• Phase 3: (hear (english) and understand): if necessary (not done in phase 2)

• Phase 4: examiner discusses a relevant topic

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Documentation of Language Proficiency

The pilot has to show his language proficiency. Thelanguage proficiency examiner enters level and validity of into field XIII of the license. Exception: TransitionCertificate

Transition Certificate of the Licensing Authority (on request)

• CPL, ATPL, PPL + IR: LBA• PPL : States

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Questions ?

Thank you for your attentiveness