>mprribeiro

Is that a true story? Looks like the Copa's homepage is still showing ICAO English level 4 and just 1,000 total time for a requirement..

Thats not true my friend. I have level 4 and I've passed the screening...

Samca

when have you passed? Because this happened 2 weeks ago. I took the screening on May 12th and i'm still waiting the answer.

True about the level 5 and 6
 

Keep in mind that this is the "professional pilot rumour network."

This is the rumour that I heard: The limitation applies only when flying into the USA. Due to a problem on which a flight crew failed to properly communicate with US controllers the FAA mandated that any panamanian flights going into the USA must be piloted by crew with no less than english proficiency level 6.

The internal COPA rumour has it that the crew failed to comply with ATC instructions and destroyed a tight sequence of aircraft. Airplanes had to be diverted to avoid an accident when the COPA pilots all of a sudden started maneuvering contrary to ATC.

All pilots that have level 4 or 5 are still able to fly for the airline but are not assigned flights into the USA. Some exceptions do apply within the airline.

Once again, this is a rumour... this is not confirmed. The sources are people that under certain circumstances are sometimes considered reliable. I cannot confirm this intel.

I heard that rumour too, applying also to DHL Panama. They say that a 757 taking off from ORD was requested to fly heading 360 right after takeoff, and the crew performed a 360 over the airport at 2000ft, several aircrafts were vectored away from the airport in the meantime and it was a big mess.

That's too funny. Typical incidents that sometimes become accidents. Last time I was flying near MIA, Aerolineas Argentinas was supposed to turn left to RWY 8L as they were approaching the airport from the north....they passed the RWY and decided to make a left turn into RWY 8R, need less to say a great cluster FCUK occurred, pretty much all A/C on final were diverted to handle this incident. The CAPT was summoned to the TWR...I'm pretty sure he is not flying into the U.S. anymore.
Not too long ago, a kid with a terrible english speaking skills was hired with COPA, granted he had Level 4 ICAO standards...how did he get that? No wonder FAA is getting on their cases.

English proficiency
 

Sad but true...

Hi guys I have applied many times to Copa and have never got a response have around 1k hours on the NG and more total time ICAO level 6 basic Spanish anyone know how to send it directly to someone ?? IE have an inside contact?

Not too many latin pilots has level 6 English. I Heard the same history about this crew but the rumour It comes not two weeks ago but more than 2 months ago, since this incident happend.

It is strange that USA requires COPA all the pilot with level 6. I think It would not be fair.

samca

I think It would not be fair.



Exactly. There is too much below average English in an ever increasing use of airspace. All English must be level 6.

Same for you Pin Head, level 6 Spanish when you Fly Sudamérica, Spain... Thats fully ridículous, level 4 is enough and the most of pilots can Fly and comunicate properly y with this level.

That just was an incident do not try to lie people.

No lie
 

I've tried to be nice but the fact of the matter is that COPA lowered their standards because the needed to, not because they wanted to.

I have several close friends who have 4 bars on their shoulders with English level 5 and all their flights into the USA where removed from their schedules and switched for flights to Latinamerica.

I guess the rule is that either both crew members are English level 6 or at least the captain is English level 6 when flying into the USA.

And to all of you guys saying that this is unfair well I'm sorry to say this but English has always been the language of aviation.

Defensive
 

All of you complaining that this is unfair is because your English sucks too. Sorry you just have to admit it. Who the heck are you guys to say that the Americans cannot impose rules for foreign carriers that employ pilots that cannot speak English? It's a safety issue.

Yes but if the Law says that pilots with level 4 can Fly to USA you must accept.

I'm agree english is language in aviation but I've been flying in Europe, specially London área with my level 4 and never ever I have had any problem, I sure you.

I never have flown in USA but It Should be no too many different from UK except for the acent.

Probably USA controllers are a littel bit different from the European controllers. I have heard they do not accept the words "say again please" they do not understand that english language is not our mother language. Even in our mother language com sometimes you need to clarify a Message given by a controller. It is normal in a cockpit with other noise around you.

Anyway what I think is that you do not accept that COPA has not called your collegues but this is only my feeling.

Caming back to the crew problem in Chicago, I still thinking that It was just an incident but the pilots can navigate and comunicate in English without any problem. I heard that the problem was that the Captain starter to discuss with the controller... Bad idea.
Also I have heard that FAA doesn't put level 6 as a required It has been the company and It has been level 5 and only to some airports.

Rgds

Copa
 

Anyway .... Do you need to take the icao English exam in panama when you validate the license don't you?

Yes that is

So has anyone recieved any feedback from HR in the last while about interviews etc , still nothing for me.

Copa needs to stop hiring pilots from spain who pay for their type and can't speak properly...haha

Any news about FO selection process? or new ground school?

No more interviews for FO's this year. A friend of mine came about two weeks (He's waiting for a response) and the HHRR girl told his group they were the last of this year.

Only Captains since now.

Maybe they start recruit people again around october/november of year for the next year.

Regards!