Malta

1. Malta Language Proficiency Requirements Implementation ICAO Workshop Rome 3-5 March 2010

2. ICAO LPR Implementation • Did not present major difficulties. • Level of English Proficiency is high • Student learn English for at least 11 years (1500 hours classroom time)

3. Education System • Ensures at least proficiency level 4. • 82% Level 6, 16% Level 5, 2% Level 4 • Text books in almost all subjects are in English.

4. Awareness • Stakeholders are familiar with the ICAO language proficiency requirements (pilots, air traffic controllers, language teachers, regulators, etc.) • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • PEL Notices issued to inform pilots, controllers, training organisations and operators - about the requirements. • Notices included information about the test.

5. Promulgation, legislation andresponsibility (1) • ICAO language proficiency requirements (Amendment 164 to Annex 1) have been incorporated into national legislation • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • JAR-FCL Amendment 7 • Transposition of Directive 2006/23/EC on air traffic controller licences.

6. Promulgation, legislation andresponsibility (2) • State has identified and approved the minimum level of language proficiency for ab initio training for ATCOs and pilots • Implementation Status – Pilots No / Air Traffic Controllers No • Level of English at school leaving age accepted to start ab inito training. • No difficulty to follow courses in English.

7. National coordinator(s) • State has nominated a contact person(s) within the State Authority, airline or ANSP(s) to be responsible for coordination of matters at the national level dealing with the implementation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Contact Person Nominated

8. National implementation plan • State has developed, approved, published on the ICAO web-page and is regularly updating the national plan of implantation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Malta has met ICAO deadline of 5 March 2008. • Letter sent to ICAO and published on the ICAO web site

9. English language training • English language training packages are in place to meet and maintain ICAO level 4 requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • No additional English language training is required for locals to meet and maintain level 4. • English language training packages are in place for foreign students and for locals who need to improve their language proficiency.

10. Resources for implementation • State has assessed and secured the resources needed to meet the ICAO language proficiency requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Malta has the required resources.

11. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) • State has selected and accredited at national level the following language proficiency tests • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Only one approved test in Malta. • Developed by the Authority with the help of language specialists and subject matter experts.

12. Language Proficiency test(1) • Language Specialist conducts one-to-one test and rates the applicant. • Language Specialist tests plain language only. • Phraseology is tested by an RT (operational) examiner.

13. Language Proficiency test(2) • Takes about 30 minutes. • Starts with audio recordings – pilot / controller. • Audio recordings have a variety of accents to enhance validity. • Aviation-related subjects • Part of the test is without visual cues. • Language Specialist can ask about a wide range of topics – not possible to memorise answers for the test.

14. Language Proficiency test(3) • In borderline cases the language specialists can request the assistance of a subject matter expert.

15. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) • State has an approved programme of accreditation for testing personnel. • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • In Malta there are only 4 authorised language specialists (Raters). • Employed by the Authority. • Number sufficient for a total of 500 licences.

16. Rater Qualification • First degree (Bachelor’s) in English from the University of Malta or equivalent, or • First degree in Education with English as one of the main subjects • Familiar with language assessment and evaluation procedures and principles.

17. Rater Training (1) • ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements • Annex 1 as it relates to language proficiency • ICAO Manual on the implementation of language proficiency requirements • Sample audio assessments

18. Rater Training (2) • Training focussed on pilot operation • Airplane and Flight Segment Terminology • The Aircraft Structure, Aircraft components, Flight Controls, Flight Segments • Duties in normal operations, Flight Phases, ATC Communication, Normal Procedures • Abnormal Procedures • Emergency Procedures, Work Load During Emergency Procedures, Task Sharing • Accident Review • Accidents and incidents where language was a factor. • Ex: B747 Accident in Tenerife

19. Rater Training (3) • Training focussed on ATC Operations • Air Traffic Control (an overview), Phraseology • Different types of emergencies, Airspace and ATC sections, • R/T communications with aircraft • General requirements – fight plans/transponder codes… • Overview of EUROCONTROL Document “Guidelines for controller training in the handling of unusual/emergency situations • Visits to: • Aerodrome Control • Approach Control • Area Control • Apron Control

20. Rater Training (4) • Familiarisation flight on a large transport aircraft • Final briefing on test procedure

21. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) • Raters and interlocutors attend regular refresher courses to maintain standards • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Refresher training is being set up where all the raters share their experience with subject matter experts and receive refresher training on operational aspects. • No interlocutors are used.

22. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 2 • What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests? • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Level 4 (+) Pilots 100% / Controllers 100%. • Tested by a Language Specialist Pilots 72% / Controllers 100%

23. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 3 • What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests? • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Pilots issued a temporary certificate are required to be tested by a language specialist by 4 March 2011. • Where tests by a language specialist have not yet been conducted the level 4 is based on previous assessments by an operational examiner - JAR-FCL 1.005 (5) (B).

24. Summary • English is one of the two official languages. • Widely used and frequently practised. • Malta is compliant with the ICAO requirements.

25. From Transport Malta Thank you