Further English Language Development of Experienced ATCOs
The Czech Air Navigation Institute offers advanced English language development programs for experienced Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs). Established in 1983, the institute provides initial and recurring training for over 230 licensed Czech ATCOs, foreign professionals from 15 countries, and support staff. Training adheres to Eurocontrol and ICAO guidelines, focusing on English language proficiency at Level 4 or higher. The annual ATCO Refresher Course hones functional English skills through practical exercises, promoting better communication in high-stakes aviation environments.
Further English Language Development of Experienced ATCOs
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Czech Air Navigation Institute • Division of Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic • Established in 1983 • Initial and recurring training for: • 230 licensed Czech ATCOs and ATCO trainees • Technicians and support staff • Foreign ATCOs and professionals from more than 15 countries
Czech Air Navigation Institute • Training follows Eurocontrol common core content and ICAO guidelines • Wide range of skills training within Air Traffic Services • English language training
English Language Level 4 or Higher • Training and testing all ATCOs since 2001 • ELPAC test • Recruitment minimum level 4 • 100% Level 4 or higher since 2009 • After 100% ATCO level 4 certification, what next?
ATCO Refresher Course • Mission Statement: Further develop English language communication skills of active ATCOs to enhance operational safety and external productivity • Operational: signed on to an ATC position • External: job-related, but not ‘on the mike’ • Functional English in various working environments
ATCO Refresher Course • Licensed ATCOs, level 4 or higher • 5 days, 3 X 90 minutes per day = 22.5 hours • Once per year • Participants relieved of all other job-related duties • Led by 1 to 3 different native English teachers with Aviation English teaching experience, selected and trained specifically for this course
ATCO Refresher Course • Core Language Components • Aviation vocabulary building • Listening (mostly from materials developed in-house) • Speaking • Reading • Refresher grammar
ATCO Refresher Course • Classroom activities • Aviation-related case studies with discussion • Student presentations (end of week) • Analysis of real world ATC dialogues • Both native and non-native English speaking pilots and ATCOS
Sample Teaching: Medical Emergency • Listening and Analysis using materials developed in-house • Relevance • Medical emergencies occur in approximately 1 in 25,000 passengers • Flight diversions occur in up to 7% to 10% of these cases* • Mandate • Where standard phraseology does not suffice, communication will be conducted at all times in plain language that is precise, concise and unambiguous • *Source: Commercial Aviation In-flight Emergencies and the Physician • Emerg Med Australis 2007 Feb 19(1):1-8 Review
Sample Teaching: Medical Emergency • February 19, 2011 • Air France 636, Paris to Houston, emergency diversion to St. John’s, Newfoundland • Dialogue length: 1 minute 10 seconds
Sample Teaching: Medical Emergency • 0:06 ATCO “Heart attack” • 0:17 Pilot “Cerebral attack” • 0:24 ATCO “Brain aneurysm” • 0:46 ATCO “Brain issue” • 0:51 Consensus “Brain attack” • Cost of consensus: 5different attempts, 51 seconds, 9 radio transmissions
Sample Teaching: Medical Emergency • Stroke: rapidly developing loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain • Specific enough to allow an actionable response • Not too specific so as to mislead medical responders • Cost of consensus: 1 attempt, 5 seconds, 2 transmissions • Ensures safety for the ailing passenger and all other parties
ATC:Sir I just want to confirm that the patient is a 57 year old male with a heart attack, is that correct?Pilot:Negative negative it is cerebral problem cerebral (unreadable) <pause> (unreadable) attack ATC:Okay sir say again the conditionPilot:Cerebral attack for a passenger brain problems with blood in the brainATC: Okay some sort of brain aneurysm is that correct? France 636 I think I stepped on you there just confirm it’s a brain aneurysm of some sortPilot:I don’t know this way in English (unreadable) in the brain for Air France 636 passengerATC: Ok, yeah, I take that it’s a brain issue, maybe an attack of some sort in the brain, is that correct?Pilot:That’s correct perfect and we need assistance
Sample Teaching: Medical Emergency • Solicit feedback from students • Repeat subtopics as necessary • Success is measured in applicability to real-life working environments