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:

Miscommunication stemming from English language proficiency issues in aviation has contributed to thousands of deaths, prompting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to establish universal English standards for professional pilots and air traffic controllers.
Despite the FAA extending these standards to flight students, the actual evaluation and enforcement of English proficiency in U.S. flight schools are inconsistent and largely unregulated, often leading to students receiving certificates without meeting required international proficiency levels.
A critical gap exists due to the lack of a universal, standardized aviation English assessment tool, resulting in varying quality of evaluations often conducted by personnel unqualified in language assessment, which compromises safety and global qualification recognition.
The current pilot shortage and the business models of some flight schools further exacerbate the issue by potentially prioritizing enrollment over rigorous language screening, though some institutions are implementing internal assessment and instructor training programs to address these deficiencies.

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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.