English language proficiency requirement for DCA Malaysia?

[martynj3]

Preparing for my annual PPL renewal at DCA Malaysia and I hear that there is an additional requirement for an "English Language Proficiency" certificate.
My nationality is British and English is my mother tongue.

Anyone out there have practical experience of meeting this requirement and in particular know if it can it be waived for a mother tongue speaker?

Thank you

[Sultan Ismail]

There is a thread running on the "Private Flying" forum to which I have posted, however let me repeat it here.

The requirement is for proficiency in English Aviation Phraseology and Communication. It is not a test of English grammar and Shakespeares Sonnets.

The Brits and other native English speakers seem to think they have a god given right to a Level 6, but would probably come unstuck if they sat the exam.

I suggest you contact Asia Pacific Flight Training in Damansara, or Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia, all three are licencensed to conduct the test.
Should the "mods" remove these Trade Names then contact DCA direct for their appointed contractor.

The test takes approximately 30 minutes and is done through a computer terminal linked to Jeppesen. You are given a headset and all contact is through this, either responding to instructions, or communicating in a pilot/ATC environment. By the way you play both parts!

Expect to pay about RM500 for the pleasure!

[martynj3]

Sultan Ismail,

Thank you for the pointers. Agreed, an english mother tongue should not be an automatic exemption, but holding a Radio Operators Flight License that was examined in English should be evidence of the presumed objective here - clear communication in the context of flight.

After some digging, there is an additional testing site available at UPM-ELTP, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication.

[Captain Stravaigin]

Hello there, I have written a wee bit on this b4 (search above). It was with much astonishment that I was told by the DCA that I could not prove I could speak English without some additional piece of paper.

If you have a UK JAA PPL then any subsequent skills checkride you do with an examiner (for a Night Rating, IMC etc) would provide you with an opportunity to get a Level 6 sign off from the examiner.

I did this for an IMC renewal too - so I guess the option is also there for a simple SEP renewal.

I photocopied the relevant piece of paper and stuck it in my logbook.

The downside with the Language test is that you may have to redo it in a few years time. It is only with Level 6 that you get a life time sign off. As one of the earlier correspondents pointed out there also seems to be a bit of a memory test in this so you may get an unpleasant surprise.

Gud Luck

[Syrian Aviator]

Hey Martyn

Nice to meet you over the forum, remember me???

If you have UK PPL then it should have on it (ENGLISH PROFICIENT) and you can show this to DCA and it should automatically entitle you for level 6 on your DCA license

If you do not have a UK PPL then you either need to get a letter from CAA UK to say that you are a native english speaker /or/ sit for the test, i recommend the latter option because getting the letter from CAA in London is a lengthy process and costly one too

My regards to your kids

[Captain Stravaigin]

Hmmm. Don't think this is correct. Having English Proficient on a UK JAA PPL only signifies Level 4 I believe. You need an additional sign off from an Examiner to give you the Level 6.

That being said it may be sufficient for the DCA to renew your MY PPL.

[kennyngkenrich]

all the mofo's in china southern and eastern based in mainland china has got a level 6 english endorsed in their licence.And yet nobody understands them on RT.So wahts the deal on that.

[Duh]

Kenny says "So wahts the deal on that."
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Profits and or shortcuts outweigh safety 97% of the time in the aviation business. Your results or observations may differ :}

[martynj3]

Cpt. Stravaigan is correct - UK JAR is grandfathered (via the radio license) to English competence level 4. Unfortunately, the paper license only states "Language Proficiency: English" without any level indicated. This was not enough to convince the DCA desk, a certificate from one of the approved testing centres is required.

Close... but no prize

:hmm: