English Proficiency Test for Aviation

Set 2 – ATC

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 PART 1. TAPE-MEDIATED

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. Most controllers admit that training is more difficult than the job itself. Did you ever
think of quitting while undergoing training? Why or why not? (35’)

3. Air traffic controllers are said to have their own individual ways of doing things.
How do you differ from your colleagues? (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. Air Canada 105, Toronto Approach, maintain 5,000 ft, fly direct to MTR VOR, 10
minutes delay, you are number 2 approach into Montreal airport, hold as published at
the BTR VOR at 5,000 ft, current time is 1130Z EFC at 1200Z, report entering
holding pattern MTR, expect ILS approach Montreal (40’)

Stop. Now read Message B.

b. Air France 186, stop climb at FL160 traffic 12 o’clock, 8 miles, opposite direction
A320, maintaining FL170. Advise when you have him on TCAS. (20’)

Stop. Now read Message C.

c. Air Mike 921, radar contact over TAC, maintain FL310, can you accept heading of
275 for the next 60 miles due traffic? (20’)

Stop. Now read Message D.

d. AMU567, squawk 2604 and IDENT, descend to 7,000 ft, QNH 1010, reduce speed
to 180 KT expect to be # 5 in the approach sequence. (20’)

Stop. Now read Message E.

e. Attention all aircraft along B473, in the vicinity of BCD, emergency descent in
progress from FL390 to 10,000 ft, a NW bound B747. (25’)
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, answer the question. (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
listening to the conversation. Now, listen.

(Audio Only)

Pilot: Taipei Control, Eva 108

Controller: Eva 108, Taipei Control, go ahead

Pilot: Eva 108 maintaining FL 350 request descent

Controller: Eva 108, unable due to traffic

Pilot: Control, Eva 108, we need to descend immediately due to pressurization

problem

Controller: What? Roger, Eva 108, descend immediately to 13,000

Pilot: Roger descend immediately to 13,000

Controller: Verify passing altitude now

Pilot: Passing FL 210, request to maintain FL 200, pressurization system now

back to normal operation

Controller: Eva 108, due to traffic, climb to FL 270, report reaching

1. Why did the controller deny the request of the pilot to descend, but later approved it?
Now, think about your answer. (20’)

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

2. The pilot initially requested to descend but was instead instructed to climb and
maintain FL 270. Why? 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, Mr. Barry was on duty as an air traffic 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 an approach controller. The tower controller advises that there is
a shift in wind direction and that the runway in use will be changed from runway 35
to runway 17. An aircraft is being vectored for an ILS approach to runway 35. The
aircraft will have to proceed to Tango India Charlie for an ILS approach to runway 17.
Then, the pilot makes a report on the radio:

(Audio Only)

Pilot: Approach, PanAm 235, established on the ILS for runway 35, out of four
thousand feet for three thousand feet.

ATC: _________________________________________________________ (15’)

Pilot: Approach, unable to copy, please say again.

ATC: _________________________________________________________ (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.

(Audio Only)

The traffic situation at the terminal control facility where you work as an Approach
Controller is busy. You are about to give instructions to GoodAir 226, the number
three aircraft, when the pilot reports a medical emergency. Apparently, an infant
passenger choked on a chunk of bread given by the mother and doctors may be
needed upon landing. Two minutes later, GoodAir 226, still following two other
aircraft on final, declares an emergency as the baby has turned blue and is having
difficulty breathing.

1. As the Approach Controller, how would you react to the pilot’s emergency call? Now,
think about your answer. (30’)

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

2. Now, provide a sample of your radio message to concerned stations. (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)

Due to manpower shortage, you are performing the duties of the approach and the
tower controller at the same time. During your shift, VFR operations are suspended
due to light rain showers over the field. As three arriving general aviation aircraft
establish initial contact with you, each report that they are not receiving VOR.

As the concerned controller, how would you handle the 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.

Air traffic service in most European countries is handled by just one service provider,
the Eurocontrol. In contrast, each Asian country has its own Air Traffic Service
(ATS) provider. Do you think aircraft operations will be more efficient if
neighboring countries have just one ATS provider? 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.

(Audio Only)

Passengers blame airlines for flight delays. Airlines blame air traffic controllers for not
issuing proper holding instructions to arriving and departing aircraft. Controllers blame
the congested traffic situation as the cause of delays. In your opinion, who is to blame
for flight delays?

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: How do you keep yourself updated with the technological advances in
Air Traffic Control systems?

Task 3. Providing Job-Related Information

Interviewer: What do you usually do when you are scheduled to work during an
important family occasion?

Task 4. Providing a Solution to an Abnormal Situation

Interviewer: What would you do if you found out that an aircraft who filed a full
IFR flight plan is actually flying VFR?

Task 5. Sharing an Opinion

Interviewer: By definition, air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe and
smooth flow of traffic in the air. Does this mean that they are also
responsible for collision accidents in the air? Why or why not?