FAA’s English Language Standards Leave Gaps for Learners

Newly graduated flight students enter a global industry with varying levels of English proficiency.

Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 12:12 PM ET

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In the safety-critical field of aviation, miscommunication and/or misunderstanding can lead to a runway incident or accident, or worse, a midair collision. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Language-related communication issues have been a significant factor in over 2,000 aviation deaths since 1973, underscoring the critical importance of English proficiency for safety.
Despite ICAO and FAA standards, the assessment and enforcement of aviation English proficiency, especially for flight students, remain largely inconsistent, unregulated, and often conducted by unqualified personnel.
This lack of standardized evaluation leads to varying proficiency levels among newly certified pilots, creating potential safety risks and international career challenges.
Experts call for a universal, professionally developed assessment tool and improved training for flight instructors to address these gaps, with institutions like Embry-Riddle implementing their own rigorous screening and language support programs.

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Language and comprehension skills are necessary for successful communication in nearly every field, but in the safety-critical field of aviation, miscommunication and/or misunderstanding can lead to a runway incident or accident, or worse, a midair collision.

Studies indicate that more than 2,000 people have died in aircraft accidents as a result, at least in part, from language-related/communication issues—mostly between air traffic controllers and pilots—since 1973. And, researchers suspect that many more aviation incidents and accidents—including in general aviation and pilot training environments—are the result of miscommunication and/or lack of English language proficiency.