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 miscommunication in aviation has caused thousands of deaths, highlighting the critical need for English proficiency in a safety-critical field.
While international (ICAO) and national (FAA) standards require English proficiency for aviation professionals, the enforcement and standardization of these requirements, particularly for flight students, are highly inconsistent and unregulated globally.
This lack of consistent evaluation, often performed by unqualified assessors, leads to certified pilots having inadequate English skills, posing safety risks and hindering their ability to work internationally.
Experts advocate for a universal, professionally developed aviation English assessment tool and improved language training for flight instructors, but progress is slow due to fragmented efforts, financial challenges, and industry pressures.

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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.