Level of Competency or Proficiency in English for the Pilot Occupation

Topic

Level of Competency or Proficiency in English for the Pilot Occupation

Case number

• 2015-168 (F&R Date: 2015–12–30)

Description

Based on the fact that Pilot training is for all intents and purposes conducted in English (limited help being available in French) and that Defence Administrative Order and Directive 5039-6 recognizes the obligation for all pilots to meet the English language proficiency requirements established by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Committee found that the Pilot occupation is one for which the imposition of a level of competency or proficiency in English upon entry would be warranted.

Recommendation

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority direct the imposition of a level of competency or proficiency in English upon entry for the Pilot occupation.

Final Authority Decision

The FA did not agree with the Committee’s systemic recommendation to direct the imposition of a level of competency or proficiency in English upon entry for the Pilot occupation. He notes that no statistics are kept on the rate of failure for allophone members, and that the aviation technical terminology is new to all student pilots. Nevertheless, the FA forwarded a copy of the Committee’s related observations to the Commander Military Personnel Generation Command.