ICAO English Online
ICAO English established by ICAO ▪️ EASA English established by EASA
By attending the language proficiency exam in Aero Language, you will receive language certificate issued in accordance with both - ICAO English and EASA English regulatory standards.
ICAO English assessment
ICAO English assessment will be led by a language proficiency examiner. Aero Language provides ICAO English exam for all aviation specialists. In compliance with ICAO requirements the ICAO English exam is divided into a number of sections. The whole language assessment takes between 20-30 minutes.
- Interview
- Visual analysis
- Communication with ATC (Simulation)
- Audio analysis (listening ATC)
- Video analysis (watching the movie)
ICAO English or EASA English
Language proficiency for pilots is commonly known as ICAO English. Since March 5 2008, every pilot or flight crew member coming into contact with international aviation communication must hold language proficiency qualification in compliance with ICAO regulations, so-called ICAO English. In addition, Commission Regulation No 1178/2011 Part FCL - FCL.055 requires the EASA license holders to attend language proficiency assessment on similar basis like ICAO English.
Because ICAO came with the language proficiency standards back in 2008, around 3 years prior EASA - pilots are using ICAO English as a common name for both regulatory basis - EASA FCL.055 and ICAO Doc 9835.
ICAO English
evaluation
evaluation


ICAO English
Exam and Rating Process
Exam and Rating Process
First language assessment is done by a language proficiency examiner during the ICAO exam.
Second rating is done by language proficiency rater using the distance-rating method.
If those two Aero Language staff members do not match with their final level given our Aero Language ADMIN system detects the unconformity. The Senior Language proficiency exmainer is involved into the process to decide on final score. The Senior Language examiner is also involved in case if you decide to appeal the final score.
ICAO English - what are we looking for
ICAO English exam is evaluated in accordance with language proficiency rating scale. Outcome of your language proficiency is number 1 thru 6. The lowest value is the final outcome - so-called ICAO English level
Language descriptors - this is what you have to be sharp in to get the best ICAO Level.
- pronunciation
- grammatical and sentence structures
- vocabulary
- spoken fluency
- message comprehension
- interaction


ICAO English validity ✅
The validity of ICAO English qualification depends on your current language skills. Your skills are reflected in so-called ICAO English Levels.
To harmonize ICAO language proficiency requirements with the EASA ones, the system of Levels has been established by both regulatory standards.
- English LEVEL 4 - 3 years ICAO / 4 years EASA
- English LEVEL 5 - 6 years both ICAO and EASA
- English LEVEL 6 - valid permanently
ICAO English validity
ICAO English validity ▪️ depends on the achieved ICAO Level.
ICAO English validity matrix
LEVEL | EASA ATCo | EASA PILOT | ICAO PILOT |
---|---|---|---|
6 | 9 y | permanently | permanently |
5 | 6 y | 6 y | 6 y |
4 | 3 y | 4 y | 3 y |
3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
ICAO English Level
Sample Test
ICAO English test papers are generated directly by the Aero Language ADMIN system. You can find the demo paper, so you can have at least rough idea what to expect. Our Language proficiency examiner will smoothnly guide you thru the ICAO English exam.
