English Proficiency Test for Aviation

Set 1 - ATC

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Copyright © G-TELP KOREA & IAES

PART 1. TAPE-MEDIATED
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Task 1. Introduction

Directions: You will be asked about yourself. Please answer in complete sentences.

(Audio Only)

1. Please state your name and birth date. (20’)

2. How do you feel about accident reports which conclude that the controller was at
fault? (35’)

3. How do you rate yourself as an air traffic controller? Why? (35’)

Task 2. Read-back Radiotelephony Messages

Directions: Read each message loudly and clearly. You have 20 to 40 seconds to read
each message, depending on the time allotted. Begin speaking after the prompt.

Now read Message A.

a. Southwest 338, you have crossed the final approach course; turn right immediately to
return to the localizer course (20’)

Stop. Now read Message B.

b. Spirit 4723, radar service terminated, contact Minneapolis Approach, 126.95. (20’)

Stop. Now read Message C.

c. TORA 84, Beijing airport cannot accept your intended route of flight inside their
airspace. After MK, proceed N892 CG then G674 to Beijing. (20’)

Stop. Now read Message D.

d. Skybus 964, descend immediately to FL 200 due to traffic, I say again descend
immediately due to traffic (20’)

Stop. Now read Message E.

e. Mooney 7251, be advised that IMC reported in the vicinity of airport, do you still
want to cancel IFR? (20’)
Task 3. Stating Own Idea about a Situation

Directions: Look at the picture below and answer the questions about it. You have 20
seconds to study the picture, and 60 seconds to answer each question. Now, study the
picture. (20’)

1. Now, describe the picture in as much detail as possible. (60’)

2. How do you think this situation occurred? Now, think about your answer. (60’)
Task 4. Answering Questions about a Conversation

Directions: Listen to the following conversation between a pilot and an air traffic
controller. You will be asked two questions about it. For each question, you have 20
seconds to prepare your answer and 30 seconds to respond. You may take notes while

(Audio Only)

Pilot : “Control, this is Westair 527 maintaining FL 330”

Controller : “Roger report when ready for descent”
Pilot : “Request descent clearance”
Controller : “Descend to FL 220, QNH 1010, report reaching”
Pilot : “Out of 330 for 220, wilco, Westair 527”
Pilot : “Control, there’s another traffic on our TCAS, it’s too close,
Westair 527”
Controller : “Westair 527, you have adequate separation with the other
aircraft”
Pilot : “Negative, we have resolution advisory; we have to climb
immediately, Westair 527”
Controller : “Roger, Westair 527, go as the TCAS says”

1. What was the request of the pilot of Westair 527? Why did he make that request?

Now, think about your answer. (20’)

Now, answer the question in as much detail as possible. (30’)

2. Why did Westair 527 need to climb immediately?

Now, think about your answer. (20’)

Now, answer the question in as much detail as possible. (30’)

Task 5. Creating a Story from Illustrations

Directions: The illustrations below show a story. You will tell the story in your own
words, based on the pictures. You have 20 seconds to prepare your story and 1 ½
minutes to tell the story.

Begin the story with:

“Yesterday, Miss Cheney was on duty as Radar Departure Controller.”

Now, study the pictures. (20’)

1 2

3 4 5

Now, tell the story. (90’)

Task 6. Responding to a Communication

Directions: Listen to the following situation. Afterward, you will need to respond to a
communication, then rephrase and clarify your response. You have 15 seconds to
respond to the first communication. In the second communication, you have 45 seconds
to clarify your response. No time will be given to prepare your response. Now, listen.

Imagine that you are attending to the Manila En Route Control. You are advised by
your shift supervisor that due to traffic congestion, it is necessary to apply a 5-minute
restriction for the transfer of all aircraft entering your airspace, regardless of flight
level. An adjacent en route controller now calls you to a transfer aircraft to your
airspace.

(Audio Only)

Oakland: Manila Control, this is Oakland Control Center, transfer for Air Mike niner
zero zero. Estimates Shree at 1025, flight level 300. Squawk 0075. Readback
please.

Manila Control: ______________________________________________________ (15’)

Oakland: Your readback is correct but please say again your last message?

Manila Control: ______________________________________________________ (45’)

Task 7. Responding to an Emergency

Directions : Listen to the following situation, then explain how you would resolve the
situation. You will also need to provide a sample of your radio message. You will have
30 seconds to think for the first question, then you will have 60 seconds to answer each
question. Now listen to the situation.

You are in control of HD 177, an aircraft carrying a sick person to a hospital. Along
the route, the aircraft will fly VFR due to the absence of an air traffic control tower at
its destination airport. In addition, radar services are now terminated and IFR
clearances are all cancelled. Suddenly, HD 177 is on your frequency again, reporting
that he cannot land due to poor visibility and declaring a medical emergency due to
the deteriorating condition of the sick passenger on board.

1. As the concerned controller, what will you do to assist the pilot in this situation?

Now, think about your answer. (30’)

Now, answer the question with as much detail as possible. (60’)

2. Now, provide a sample of your message to the pilot of HD 177. (60’)

Task 8. Handling a System Malfunction

Directions: Listen to the following situation, and explain how you would resolve the
situation. You have 30 seconds to prepare your answer, and 1 ½ minutes to respond.
Now, listen.

(Audio Only)

You are a sector controller. An aircraft coming from another sector is handed over to
you through radar. You accept the aircraft and are able to identify it through radio and
radar contact. However, it suddenly disappears from your radar shortly after
establishing contact. At the same time, a departing aircraft climbing to a higher flight
level is in initial contact with you. You call the missing aircraft but it seems that the
radio contact has also been lost. Judging from the last reported position and heading
of the missing aircraft, it could end up being in conflict with the departing aircraft.

What would you do in this situation? Now, think about your answer. (30’)

Now, answer the question with as much detail as possible. (90’)

Task 9. Expressing an Opinion 1

Directions: Listen to the following question. You have 30 seconds to prepare your
answer, and 1 ½ minutes to respond. Now, listen.

Some misunderstanding in communication is due to the use of different units of

measurement. There are times when controllers give field information such as
ceiling, wind velocity, temperature and RVR without the corresponding unit of
measurement. Do you think it would be better if the aviation community uses only
one unit of measurement? Why or why not?

Now, think about your answer. (30’)

Now, explain your opinion in as much detail as possible. (90’)

Task 10. Expressing an Opinion 2

Directions: Listen to the following question. You have 30 seconds to prepare your
answer, and 1 ½ minutes to respond. Now, listen.

Due to limited budget, the Air Traffic Control Systems in some poor countries do
not have enough modern equipment such as Instrument Landing Systems and
Secondary Surveillance Radars. Do you think it is still safe for aircraft to operate in
their airspace? Why or why not?

Now, think about your answer. (30’)

Now, explain your opinion in as much detail as possible. (90’)

 PART 2. INTERVIEW

Task 1. Introduction and Casual Conversation

Interviewer: Good morning. My name is ___________. I will be your interviewer

today. What is your name?

Interviewer: It’s nice to meet you ______________________. How are you today?

Interviewer: So, tell me a little about yourself. What do you do?

Task 2. Giving Information about Habitual Activities

Interviewer: What usually causes misunderstanding between air traffic controllers?

Task 3. Providing Job-Related Information

Interviewer: How can you tell if a young person possesses the qualities of a good
controller?

Task 4. Providing a Solution to an Abnormal Situation

Interviewer: What would you do if you see an aircraft of unknown information

straying into an airway and posing a hazard to your controlled aircraft?

Task 5. Sharing an Opinion

Interviewer: Many universities offer a wide range of aviation courses. Why do you
think there are only a few learning institutions offering courses for Air
Traffic Controllers?