ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) Test for Pilots Online

Fly EPT Portugal, in partnership with our EASA-approved Language Assessment Body (LAB), can provide ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessing for pilots who require ICAO ELP minimum level 4, 5 or 6.

The aviation English language proficiency test can be completed with our Language Proficiency Examiner (LPE) and it can be arranges online over a ZOOM video call.

If you choose to take the test from home, you will complete the ICAO/EASA ELP Test on our virtual platform, using a webcam and microphone in a flexible online environment and this will save you time and money. Once you have completed your live audio recorded video call, the Language Proficiency Linguistic Expert (LPLE) will assess and grade your answers and provide you with a final rating. You will receive your result and language certificate within days. 

All testing procedures in use are compliant with ICAO Doc 9835 on language testing, EASA FCL.055 including FCL.055 (d) and Commission Regulation (EU) No 2015/340.

Cost

The price for the ELP Test, initial or revalidation, is:

€ 170

Flight Radiotelephony Operator's Licence for PPL Students

The FRTOL is an essential part of your PPL. In order to exercise the privileges of your well-earned PPL you will need to obtain a Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL).

ICAO has made it a mandatory requirement for licensed pilots (Aeroplane, helicopter, airship) and Air Traffic Controllers who are required to operate aircraft radiotelephony communications to be examined in the use of the language in which they make their radiotelephony communication transmissions. 

Pilots shall not exercise the privileges of their licenses and ratings unless they have a language proficiency endorsement on their licence in either English or the language used for radio communications involved in the flight.

The requirement for the ICAO Language Proficiency Test is applicable to all ICAO member states.

This includes licensed PPL pilots operating outside of controlled airspace.

Pilots who cannot demonstrate English language proficiency to an ICAO minimum level of 4, 5 or 6, on a rating scale of 1 to 6, will NOT be able to fly outside their native country.

Note:  Pilots holding national PPL (NPPL) licenses are excluded from any requirement to demonstrate English competency.

Pilots who can demonstrate ICAO ELP Level 4+ will be issued with a Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) and will be able to fly in accordance with the privileges of their license outside their home country.

How often is ICAO aviation English tested?

How often you need to be reassessed depends on your level and licence.

Level 4 (Operational) must be reassessed at least once every three (3) years.

Level 5 (Extended) is tested at least once every six (6) years. 

Level 6 (Expert) does NOT require a reassessment and is valid for life. 

After completion of the test the candidate's licence will be endorsed with an ELP proficiency level. Generally, ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) level 4 is the mandatory minimum required for professional employment within the aviation industry.

What to expect on the ICAO English test

The way the ICAO English test is conducted can vary with each country’s aviation regulatory authority. A test used in one country can be completely different to a test given in another. Although the tests may vary, the standards that are measured are nearly identical in order to comply with ICAO English standards. 

The ELP test will be recorded on audio or video media for subsequent rating. All notes and recordings are confidential and will be treated according to the applicable law on the Protection of Personal Data. 

The aviation English test will last approximately 45-60 minutes and is normally conducted on a one-to-one basis between the applicant and examiner. The ICAO ELP test will be broken down into the following three (3) sections:

Questions – the examiner may ask questions about the applicant’s flying career and work-related topics. You will be expected to to be able to speak about your flying career so far. The ELP examiner will ask you some general related questions, for example: -

• Why did you decide to become a pilot?
• What is your favorite type of airplane to fly?
• Describe your first solo flight

Listen / questions / respond (Audio comprehension) – this is a role-playing scenario where the applicant listens to an audio recording (with no visual contact). Typically, based on the scenario created in the online test module, you will perform a simulated ATC communication with read back of which some are taxi clearances and others are flight level changes. It is recommended that you have a pen and piece of paper ready to take notes of the ATC clearances. You will be expected to answer specific questions related to the audio content and you will be asked to talk about what you have understood from the recording. You will hear each recording only once. It is important that you answer with long sentences and NOT only with “Yes” or “No” or very short sentences. Remember, it is your language skills that will be evaluated and not the content of what you say. Examples of what to expect can be viewed in this video. 

Image questions / Descriptions of aviation pictures – Multiple randomly selected photos will be presented to the applicant showing an image on an aviation topic, either depicting a typical routine operational day or perhaps the scene of an aircraft incident/accident. The language assessor will ask you a series of questions related to the aviation scene and you will be expected to speak about a specific theme. Simply use as many words as possible to describe what you see. The assessor is listening to your vocabulary, structure and pronunciation. You will not be asked any complicated technical questions and you will not be tested in knowledge. You will have 20 seconds to look at the photograph before you are asked to start. Duration of the video call will be approximately 15 minutes. Typical examples can be seen in this video.

General information about the English language test

• The exam questions are individually tailored to the examinee.
• The language examiner only tests language ability, not subject knowledge. Although you are being tested on your understanding of a question so if you get a question and you are unsure of the answer, simply answer to the best of your knowledge. For example, what is the difference between Vx and Vy? You will be expected to at least talk about climb gradients, and if you cannot remember, you need to explain why. 
• Do not worry if you think you have failed to answer a question or an ATC read back. We are using all your answers and read backs to evaluate your proficiency and one failed or short answered question will not necessarily affect your grade.
• In the exam, the examinee will NOT be asked any written questions or questions on grammar. Only the following six (6) linguistic competencies are evaluated, which are briefly limited to listening, understanding, rendering and speaking.
  • Pronunciation - to speak English with a dialect or accent that is easy for the listener to understand.
  • Structure - grammatical structures and sentence patterns.
  • Vocabulary - speaks accurately and efficiently using the correct words.
  • Fluency - the continuous flow and rhythm of speech.
  • Comprehension - to understand and make sense of what is heard.
  • Interactions - how well one responds in a conversation. This may include checking, clarifying, or confirming information if necessary.

Test results

Your answers will be assessed and rated according to the ICAO standard. 

FAQ

How should you prepare for the test?

Please remember: this is a language test and NOT an aviation-knowledge test. A language is something that people learn over the course of many years, and not within a weekend training course. This is what makes language proficiency testing different from other aviation tests.

How we establish your test result:

You take the language test with an examiner, also called the operational expert, or LPE, who will assign an initial rating. 

A linguistic expert (also called LPLE) will then listen to the voice recording of your test and will also assign a rating and a level of proficiency.

The LTB performs a final check - in case of differences between LPE and LPLE and it also assigns a third rating. 

Each category is graded on a proficiency scale between 1-6 (1 being the lowest). The lowest score determines the final ICAO English rating. For example, an applicant may be scored 4 for every category except comprehension where they scored a 3.  As a result, the applicant will receive a final rating of 3. The international standard to be English proficient is level 4 or higher.

The LTB will send the results to you and the licensing authority within 3-6 days.

Why is there no period of validity for level 3?

Level 3 or below does not allow you to fly at all - apart from inside your native country with conditions - therefore, it has no period of validity. It will not be endorsed on your licence. 

Is the ICAO level 6 valid for an unlimited period?

Right now - yes. The period of validity for pilots with ELP level 6 is still unlimited.

EASA, however, has already put a limit on the validity for air traffic controllers' with ELP level 6 which is now restricted to 9 years.

References

Regulation 1178/2011: 

FCL.055 Language proficiency - the regulation 

AMC1 FCL.055 Language proficiency - the assessment 

AMC2 FCL.055 Language proficiency - the rating scale 

AMC3 FCL.055 Language proficiency - specific requirements for holders of an IR or EIR 

Appendix 2 - Language proficiency rating scale - expert, extended and operational level  

ICAO: Doc 9835 - Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements

UK CAA CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual

Application Forms

Pilots applying for the initial issue of an EASA Part-FCL licence for Aeroplanes must demonstrate the appropriate level of language proficiency. This may be notified to the EASA country state's licencing authority (that you choose) by completion of a PPL examiner's skill test report form (ref: pg.5) or through an approved language school, using form: application for the Flight Radiotelephony Operator's Licence (FRTOL) - Issue or Renewal (downloadable from your EASA country state licencing authority)

Once you have passed the ELP test, it is time to apply for your FRTOL.

The UK CAA has split the initial application and renewal into two separate processes.

The online initial application process requires uploading of a completed CAA 5003 form: Evidence of UK Examination and Test for Grant of Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence, along with a certified copy of your valid passport or full photographic driving licence.

Note: the online process is for the “Application for Initial Issue of a PPL (A) or (H) or LAPL (A) or (H) and/or a Flight Radiotelephony Operators Licence”. 

If you are applying for a renewal of your existing FRTOL then the process is different and starts here; Application for the Renewal of a Flight Radio Telephony Operator Licence (SRG1106)

Note:  if the question regarding the applicant holding an existing licence is answered ‘Yes’ the pre-populated fee box automatically reduces to £0.00, so the application is free for renewals.