TEA - Test of English for Aviation (PDF)

Since March 5th, 2008 all ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization-affiliated Countries have been forced to implement a verification system to assess the knowledge level of english idiom among aviation operators: not only pilots, but ATC and ramp operators, and in general any person involved in commercial air traffic. This means that any pilot wishing to fly IFR or abroad must demonstrate to the Authority a proper level of knowledge to understand and being understood in the context of commercial aviation.

Italy has been forced as well to change local rules to comply with international standards. Thus, english radiotelephony endorsements issued after the cutoff date are subject to periodical expiration depending on the assessed level.

Endorsement time of validity is as follows:

• Level 4 (Operational): 3 years
• Level 5 (Advanced): 6 years
• Level 6 (Native speaker): Unlimited validity

Since previously-issued endorsements have been equated to Level 4, in a few years all pilots would be in need to perform a TEA exam, and new pilots would do it as soon as they want to fly abroad or extend their rating.

The exam, lasting around 20 minutes, is an oral dialogue between the candidate and the examiner, where some recorded speech excerpts, related to flight or operational situations, are presented to the candidate which must understand and explain. Moreover, a short conversation with the examiner is performed on aviation-related arguments.

At the end of the test, which is recorded to be forwarded to the control organization, examiner assesses the candidate's knowledge level: minimum level required is 4, while Level 6 corresponds to native-speaker knowledge.

The control organization checks and confirms examiner's assessment and issues the level certificate, to be submitted by candidate to Aviation Authority for license annotation.

Aero Club Milano's Flight School (I-FTO-004) is certified as TEA Examination center: this means that all exams related to any TEA level may be performed in our premises.

Exams are scheduled in close sequence, twice monthly. Registration for the tests close one week before the test date to allow proper preparation and minimize delays in certificate emission. Tests dates are published in our Courses Schedule.

Our Secretariat (tel. +39-02-6101625) is available for information and help, as well for registration of candidates for the tests.