Reminder to all Flight Crew Licence Holders - English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements for Flight Crew Licence Holders
The IAA issued two Aeronautical Notices (Nr. P.18 on 17 Jan. 2008 (Advisory Information) and Nr. P.19 on 05 Mar. 2008 (Mandatory Direction) ), to notify all flight crew licence holders of the IAA arrangements to implement the language proficiency requirements of ICAO Annex 1, and, where applicable, JAR-FCL 1.010 and 2.010. The IAA, in order to avoid confusion, made it mandatory for all flight crew licence holders (whether JAR-FCL or ICAO or National) to hold an ELP Certificate of Proficiency of a minimum of ICAO Level 4.
Under the JAR-FCL Requirements, States could issue existing licence holders with an ELP Level 4 (valid for 3 years) based on previously established methods for Radiotelephony testing. Accordingly, in the period January - February, 2008, all valid IAA flight crew licences were issued with an ELP Level 4 valid from the implementation date 05 March, 2008, for 3 years expiring 04 March, 2011.
In the interim, the IAA has trained and authorised most of its Flight Examiners and Type Rating Examiners to conduct ELP assessments during skill tests and proficiency checks. The IAA has also recently appointed ELP Ground Test examiners at locations around the country to facilitate those IAA licence holders who either can't complete a skill test/proficiency check with an IAA authorised Examiner, or who will revalidate their PPL (A) licence and SEP (land) Class Rating by the "Experience and Training Flight" method. The ELP test arrangement is also extended to applicants for the Student Pilot Licence as a combined ELP / Radiotelephony test. Students must now complete this test before entering their application for the Student Pilot Licence.
All IAA flight crew licence holders , for all categories of aircraft are reminded to check the validity of the ELP endorsement on their licences and to take the appropriate action to obtain a new period of validity according to their circumstances. For those requiring an ELP Ground Test (this includes most PPL (A) licence with SEP(land) Class Rating), they should check the test arrangements (including contact details for ELP Ground Examiners) promulgated on the Pilot Licensing Section of the IAA Website.
Remember, you may not exercise the privileges of your Licence without a valid ELP endorsement.