Aviation English · FCL.055 VFR exam preparation
The Aviation English
MasterClass
Since 5 March 2008, all flight crew members and air traffic controllers involved in international traffic must demonstrate their proficiency in English for radiotelephony communications. Command of plain English and English phraseology at ICAO level 4 is a licensing requirement for professional pilots and air traffic controllers. More importantly still, command of plain English and English phraseology can save a pilot's life in an emergency. The FCL.055 endorsement certifies language proficiency in radiotelephony communications. Equivalents exist in every European national language to certify proficiency for IFR or VFR communications.
A MasterClass is an advanced course for experienced practitioners who share their knowledge and experience to improve their skills. Participants work together on real-world practical exercises under the guidance of an expert. Participants learn by doing. What you get out of it depends on what you put in.
The ACD FCL.055 MasterClass develops skills in, and understanding of, aviation vocabulary and phraseology in English. MasterClass participants share their experiences, give briefings and practise radio communications under the guidance of an experienced colleague. Participants master aviation vocabulary, grammatical structure, pronunciation, comprehension, interaction and fluency in English by working together on preparation, briefings and in-flight communications during simulated flights. Participants discuss aviation rules, procedures, information sources and common problems encountered on international trips. The course is open to current or former members of the Aéro-Club du Dauphiné who hold a private pilot licence with more than 100 flying hours and can demonstrate CEFR* level B2 in English communication.
The MasterCourse consists of 12 weekly online sessions held entirely in English. Exercises are carried out by teams (crews) of 2 or 3 participants who plan and practise communications in all phases of flight for a cross-country trip in English. In each session, participants give briefings in English on aircraft performance, instruments, departure and destination aerodromes and procedures, airspace structure, route planning, flight plan preparation and weather. Participants prepare and practise scripts for communications with air traffic control units and air-to-air communications.
The sessions cover the following topics:
- The FCL.055 endorsement, information resources, a sample training flight
- ATC structure, numbers, ATIS structure, sample flight briefing, forming air crews
- Crews practise flight briefings
- Taxi and departure clearances, sample departure and taxi script
- Practising taxi and departure scripts
- The aerodrome circuit, sample script.
- Practising circuit communications
- En route and arrival, flight plans, sample en-route scripts
- Practising en-route and arrival communications
- In-flight emergencies
- Practising in-flight emergencies, weather terminology
- Stories of things that go wrong in flight, preparing for the FCL.055 VFR test
*CEFR: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
The CEFR is a guideline used to describe the achievements of foreign language learners and to assess the language qualifications of candidates for admission to education or employment.