Kazakhstan pilots learn English

Kazakhstan pilots who fly international routes are now obliged to speak English, Tengrinews.kz reports citing KazAviaSpas. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) introduced new rules obliging pilots and dispatchers involved in international flights to have 4th and 5th English proficiency levels (Operational and Extended levels by ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale). In relation to the new requirement KazAviaSpas decided to get 116 pilots to learn English. “Aviation English is unique, as many of the terms do not have any equivalents in other languages. That’s why we have to consider the importance of English in aviation as a tool enabling pilots and dispatchers around the world to understand each other,” the message states. KazAviaSpas also explains the need for the foreign language proficiency by pointing out that Kazakhstan uses Western-made aircrafts. For example, they have EC-145 Eurocopter multi-purpose helicopters. For flights safety reasons the aircrafts developers forbids translation of its manuals to other languages. “Pilots and dispatchers should have a good command of aviation English as they bear huge responsibility for hundreds of passengers,” the authority explained.