For further information on the CASA English language proficiency .... English and
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For further information on the CASA English language proficiency standards, visit our website:
www.casa.gov.au/language/spl.htm If you have any questions phone CASA on
1300 737 032
language proficiency standards for student pilot licence applicants
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New language proficiency standards
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Language proficiency standards for student pilot licence applicants
Completed or is still undertaking secondary school education in an Australian or New Zealand educational institution, or has completed the equivalent of an Australian secondary education in a foreign country where one of the principle mediums of instruction was English.
Spent at least three of the preceding five years employed in Australia, New Zealand, or a specified country.
Student assessed by CFI as competent in general English and provides CFI with documentary evidence satisfying at least one of the new language proficiency standards.
Completed and submitted Form 639 to CASA together with a CFI certified copy of documentary evidence of the student meeting the new ELP standard.
ICAO Levels 4, 5, & 6 for operational licences.
Met or exceeded the general English test criteria (IELTS, TOEIC-SP, TOEFL) as specified in Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 40.0, Appendix III.
New language proficiency standards for SPL applicants from 1 January 2009
SPL Issued by CASA.
Flight and aviation language training undertaken to operational licence level.
It is important to remember that the CFI will still make the final assessment as to each student’s level of general English language proficiency before signing off on the students ELP in the SPL application form.
From 1 January 2009 all applicants for a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) will be assessed by the school’s Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) as having met the new general English language proficiency (ELP) standard that is needed for a student pilot to fly safely.
Why is CASA implementing new standards?
In the absence of documentary evidence addressing standards 1 or 2, the applicant may swear a statutory declaration stating that they meet the relevant standard which must include the basis for meeting that standard.
In addition to the current CFI language assessment, students need to meet one of these standards:
A statutory declaration will not be accepted for standard 3, where a CFI certified copy of test results meeting or exceeding the general English language test criteria must be supplied.
Since the implementation of ICAO’s English language proficiency standards for operational licences on 5 March 2008, CASA has been aware of the necessity for student pilots to have a base level of English language proficiency in order to meet the ICAO standard by the time their training is complete. In order to achieve the required proficiency in aviation English, it is generally accepted that students must first have proficiency in general English.
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have completed or is still undertaking secondary school education in Australia or New Zealand, or have completed the equivalent of an Australian secondary education in a foreign country where one of the principle mediums of instruction was English; or spent at least three of the preceding five years working in Australia, New Zealand, or a specified country (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States of America, New Zealand, or Canada [for Canada, proof of English language proficiency may still be required]); or have met or exceeded the general English test criteria as specified in Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 40.0, Appendix III. The three internationally recognised general tests that CASA accepts are IELTS, TOEIC-SP, and TOEFL. These tests assess non native speakers’ reading, writing, and comprehension abilities and are used for obtaining visas and employment etc. For more information on required scores see www.casa.gov.au/fcl/language/general_eng.htm
Difference between general English and aviation English
TThe new standard for SPL applicants relates to general English, whereas the ICAO language standards for operational licences (PPL, CPL, ATPL) relate to aviation English. The main difference between general English and aviation English is that general English is the English used in everyday conversation, whereas aviation English is specific to aviation oral communication used in flying operations. Apart from ground training, a vital element in the smooth transition from proficiency in general English to the minimum requirement in aviation English is adequate exposure to the operating flight environment.
SPL applications submitted after 1 January 2009
SPL applications submitted after 1 January 2009 need to include a CFI certified copy of a document showing evidence of the student meeting the new general English standard.
