Implementing ICAO language proficiency requirements in the Versant Aviation English test

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 27.1-27.17
Author(s):  
Alistair Van Moere ◽  
Masanori Suzuki ◽  
Ryan Downey ◽  
Jian Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Computerized Testing ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Automated Scoring ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Valid Assessment ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Aviation English

This paper discusses the development of an assessment to satisfy the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Language Proficiency Requirements. The Versant Aviation English Test utilizes speech recognition technology and a computerized testing platform, such that test administration and scoring are fully automated. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, this 25-minute test is delivered via a telephone or computer. Two issues of interest are discussed. The first concerns the practicalities of assessing candidates in each of six separate dimensions of spoken proficiency: Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension, and Interactions. Although an automated scoring system can objectively segregate these skills, we question whether human raters have the capacity to do this in oral interviews. The second issue discussed is how an automated test can provide a valid assessment of spoken interactions. Tasks were designed to simulate the information exchange between pilots and controllers on which candidates’ proficiency in ‘Interactions’ could be measured, for example, by eliciting functions such as correcting miscommunications and providing clarification. It is argued that candidate ability can be probed and estimated in a fair and standardized way by presenting a series of independent items which are targeted in difficulty at the various ICAO levels.

scholarly journals Implementing ICAO language proficiency requirements in the Versant Aviation English Test

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 27.1-27.17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Van Moere ◽  
Masanori Suzuki ◽  
Ryan Downey ◽  
Jian Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Computerized Testing ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Automated Scoring ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Valid Assessment ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Aviation English

This paper discusses the development of an assessment to satisfy the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Language Proficiency Requirements. The Versant Aviation English Test utilizes speech recognition technology and a computerized testing platform, such that test administration and scoring are fully automated. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, this 25-minute test is delivered via a telephone or computer. Two issues of interest are discussed. The first concerns the practicalities of assessing candidates in each of six separate dimensions of spoken proficiency: Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension, and Interactions. Although an automated scoring system can objectively segregate these skills, we question whether human raters have the capacity to do this in oral interviews. The second issue discussed is how an automated test can provide a valid assessment of spoken interactions. Tasks were designed to simulate the information exchange between pilots and controllers on which candidates’ proficiency in ‘Interactions’ could be measured, for example, by eliciting functions such as correcting miscommunications and providing clarification. It is argued that candidate ability can be probed and estimated in a fair and standardized way by presenting a series of independent items which are targeted in difficulty at the various ICAO levels.

Modelling of unmanned aircraft visibility for see-and-avoid operations

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-284
Author(s):  
P. Highland ◽  
J. Williams ◽  
M. Yazvec ◽  
A. Dideriksen ◽  
N. Corcoran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Exposure Rate ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Safety Margins ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The U.S ◽  
See And Avoid

With more unmanned aircraft (UA) becoming airborne each day, an already high manned aircraft to UA exposure rate continues to grow. Pilots and rulemaking authorities realize that UA visibility is a real, but unquantified, threat to operations under the see-and-avoid concept. To finally quantify the threat, a novel contrast-based UA visibility model is constructed here using collected empirical data as well as previous work on the factors affecting visibility. This work showed that UA visibility <1300 m makes a midair collision a serious threat if a manned aircraft and a UA are on a collision course while operating under the see-and-avoid concept. Similarly, this work also showed that a midair collision may be unavoidable when UA visibility is <400 m. Validating pilot and rulemaking authority concerns, this work demonstrated that UA visibility distances <1300 and <400 m occur often in the real world. Finally, the model produced UA visibility lookup tables that may prove useful to rulemaking authorities such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and International Civil Aviation Organization for future work in the proof of equivalency of detect and avoid operations. Until then, pilots flying at slower airspeeds in the vicinity of UA may improve safety margins.

scholarly journals English with Flying Colors: The Aviation English and the International Civil Aviation Organization

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Kraśnicka
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Aviation English

Abstract There are several reasons for the English language to become lingua franca of aviation including some historical turning points for the world aviation and some specific linguistic features of the language itself. This paper aims to firstly present a short, yet interesting history of implementation of English as standardized language for aviation. It will provide introductory historical background, establishment of arguments necessary for standardization and leading to the implementation of the Language Proficiency Requirements (LPRs) within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It will then provide an overview of the ICAO’s actions to support its members states in implementation of the English language standards for aviation and try to evaluate the effects based on the powers granted to the Organization. Such evaluation will be presented in the comparative perspective with the powers and instruments used within the European Union to achieve the same goal - standardization of the aviation English.

TECHNICAL ENGLISH IN AEROSPACE

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Anton MATVEEV
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Training Materials

Since 2004, the International Civil Aviation Organization has imposed pilots and air traffic controllers elsewhere in the world to comply with the established language proficiency standards as a safety measure against language and communication problems during flights. Currently, one of the problems that aviation English practitioners face is the lack of training materials on aviation specifications to learn various language aspects. This article discusses peculiarities of technical English used in aerospace. Thus, technical English not only facilitates communication between native and non-native English speakers but reduces the risk of errors and overall risks as well. In this regard, appropriate teaching approaches should be chosen, various tools and forms of teaching English aviation language should be used to form the language competence of future specialists.

Planes, politics and oral proficiency

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 25.1-25.16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Lynn Moder ◽  
Gene B. Halleck
Keyword(s):  
English Proficiency ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Task Types ◽  
Aviation English

This study investigates the variation in oral proficiency demonstrated by 14 Air Traffic Controllers across two types of testing tasks: work-related radio telephony-based tasks and non-specific English tasks on aviation topics. Their performance was compared statistically in terms of level ratings on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) scale. The results demonstrate significant differences in the performance of the test-takers across task types, differences that were not fully predictable across subjects. The differences between general English proficiency and specific purpose proficiency were even greater than those we would expect for other LSP situations. We discuss the implications of these findings for fairly and safely assessing Aviation English using ICAO standards in a politicized context.

scholarly journals GEOMETRIK TEMPAT PARKIR PESAWAT UDARA BANDAR UDARA FATMAWATI SOEKARNO DI KOTA BENGKULU

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152
Author(s):  
Anggita Yuliani ◽  
Latif Budi Suparma ◽  
Suprapto Siswosukarto
Keyword(s):  
Service Life ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Air Transportation ◽  
Air Transport ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Parking Space ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Administration Method

Abstract   Flight services at Fatmawati Soekarno Airport, located in Bengkulu City, continue to develop, along with the increasing public need for air transportation. The increasing need for aviation services affects the number and types of aircraft required. Aircraft maneuvering and parking affect the dimensions of the aircraft parking space. In this study, an analysis of the dimensions of the apron at Fatmawati Soekarno Airport was carried out, with a service life of 20 years. The analysis in this study was carried out using the design aircraft B737-900ER. The existing apron dimension lot is 475 m long and 80 m wide. By using the International Civil Aviation Organization method and the Federal Aviation Administration method, to accommodate aircraft movements for the next 20 years, an apron with a length of 475 m and a width of 100 m is required. Thus, the width of the existing apron must be increased by 20 m, in order to be able to serve the B737-900ER aircraft until the service life of the next 20 years.   Keywords: airport; flight services; apron; air transport.     Abstrak   Layanan penerbangan di Bandar Udara Fatmawati Soekarno, yang terletak di Kota Bengkulu, terus mengalami perkembangan, seiring dengan meningkatnya kebutuhan masyarakat akan transportasi udara. Peningkatan kebutuhan akan layanan penerbangan tersebut memengaruhi jumlah dan jenis pesawat udara yang diperlukan. Pesawat udara yang melakukan manuver dan parkir memengaruhi dimensi tempat parkir pesawat udara. Pada studi ini dilakukan analisis terhadap dimensi tempat parkir pesawat udara di Bandar Udara Fatmawati Soekarno, dengan umur layanan 20 tahun. Analisis pada studi ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan pesawat udara rencana B737-900ER. Tempat parkir pesawat udara eksisting mempunyai panjang 475 m dengan lebar 80 m. Dengan menggunakan metode International Civil Aviation Organization da metode Federal Aviation Administration, untuk melayani pesawat udara hingga 20 tahun mendatang diperlukan tempat parkir pesawat udara dengan panjang 475 m dan lebar 100 m. Dengan demikian lebar tempat parkir pesawat udara eksisting harus ditambah 20 m, agar dapat melayani pesawat udara tipe B737-900ER hingga umur layanan 20 tahun mendatang.   Kata-kata kunci: bandar udara; layanan penerbangan; tempat parkir pesawat udara; transportasi udara.

scholarly journals Clearing the air

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 21.1-21.11 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Read ◽  
Ute Knoch
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Test Design ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Aviation Accidents ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers

As a result of investigations showing that communication problems can be a significant contributing factor to major aviation accidents, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established a set of Language Proficiency Requirements. All pilots and air traffic controllers engaged in international aviation must be certified by their national civil aviation authorities as meeting the requirements by March 2011. This has created a demand for tests designed to assess the speaking and listening skills of aviation personnel, and language testers have become involved as developers and evaluators of the various assessment instruments. The present paper gives an overview of the issues and introduces the themes discussed by the other contributors to this special issue of the journal, covering both the linguistic nature of aviation communication and more practical considerations in test design.

scholarly journals PRECISE ORTHO IMAGERY AS THE SOURCE FOR AUTHORITATIVE AIRPORT MAPPING

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B8 ◽  
pp. 1251-1255
Author(s):  
H. Howard ◽  
P. Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Federal Aviation Administration ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Flight Safety ◽  
Accurate Data ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Map Data

As the aviation industry moves from paper maps and charts to the digital cockpit and electronic flight bag, producers of these products need current and accurate data to ensure flight safety. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) require certified suppliers to follow a defined protocol to produce authoritative map data for the aerodrome. Typical airport maps have been produced to meet 5 m accuracy requirements. The new digital aviation world is moving to 1 m accuracy maps to provide better situational awareness on the aerodrome. The commercial availability of 0.5 m satellite imagery combined with accurate ground control is enabling the production of avionics certified .85 m orthophotos of airports around the globe. CompassData maintains an archive of over 400+ airports as source data to support producers of 1 m certified Aerodrome Mapping Database (AMDB) critical to flight safety and automated situational awareness. CompassData is a DO200A certified supplier of authoritative orthoimagery and attendees will learn how to utilize current airport imagery to build digital aviation mapping products.

Planes, politics and oral proficiency

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 25.1-25.16
Author(s):  
Carol Lynn Moder ◽  
Gene B. Halleck
Keyword(s):  
English Proficiency ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Task Types ◽  
Aviation English

This study investigates the variation in oral proficiency demonstrated by 14 Air Traffic Controllers across two types of testing tasks: work-related radio telephony-based tasks and non-specific English tasks on aviation topics. Their performance was compared statistically in terms of level ratings on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) scale. The results demonstrate significant differences in the performance of the test-takers across task types, differences that were not fully predictable across subjects. The differences between general English proficiency and specific purpose proficiency were even greater than those we would expect for other LSP situations. We discuss the implications of these findings for fairly and safely assessing Aviation English using ICAO standards in a politicized context.

Clearing the air

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 21.1-21.11
Author(s):  
John Read ◽  
Ute Knoch
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Test Design ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Aviation Accidents ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers

As a result of investigations showing that communication problems can be a significant contributing factor to major aviation accidents, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established a set of Language Proficiency Requirements. All pilots and air traffic controllers engaged in international aviation must be certified by their national civil aviation authorities as meeting the requirements by March 2011. This has created a demand for tests designed to assess the speaking and listening skills of aviation personnel, and language testers have become involved as developers and evaluators of the various assessment instruments. The present paper gives an overview of the issues and introduces the themes discussed by the other contributors to this special issue of the journal, covering both the linguistic nature of aviation communication and more practical considerations in test design.

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