Abstract
This article discusses the language proficiency requirements instituted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in March 2008. Because it is considered critical to aviation safety, ICAO has required that pilots, air traffic controllers, and aeronautical station operators involved in international flight operations become proficient in both speaking and understanding the language used for radiotelephony (RT) communications at ICAO Operational Level 4. Under the current plan, all stakeholders are to reach compliance level by March 2011. The article reports that presently only 44 of 190 contracting states are considered to be compliant with the new standard. However, 86 contracting states have filed either a part or full implementation plan. To aid in plan implementation, the ICAO has developed guidance materials, including a manual – 'Implementation of Language Proficiency Requirements' (Document 9835) and a CD containing speech samples of speakers representing ICAO levels 3 through 5. In an ICAO report published in April 2008, it was reported that 751 passengers died in a total of 12 aircraft accidents worldwide in 2006; in 2007, 587 passengers died in 11 such accidents. Based on an accident fatality rate of 100 million passenger kilometers, the study shows that the approximate rate of 0.019 for 2006 is reduced to approximately 0.014 in 2007. This decline, though slight in year-over-year reportage, occurred despite a 6.6% increase in scheduled passenger kilometers performed. The article suggests that implementation of the new language proficiency requirement will help contribute to a downward trend in passenger fatalities to meet the increasing needs for safety within the global air transport system as it prepares for accelerated growth.
Published Version
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