DUBAI, U.A.E., 27th February 2007 - The Emirates Aviation College - Aerospace & Academic Studies - has won approval from the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to offer Aviation English training programmes and an Aviation English Language Proficiency test.

By March 2008, pilots and air traffic controllers involved in international air navigation worldwide will be required to meet the minimum aviation English language proficiency level required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The college, in collaboration with RMIT English Worldwide - Australia, is offering pilots and air traffic controllers the RMIT English Language Test for Aviation (RELTA), which evaluates proficiency under six criteria - pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interactions.

The Aviation English Training programme is offered in accordance with ICAO standards and assists states in conducting the necessary training and assessments to ensure that their pilots and air traffic controllers meet the required proficiency level.

Mohammed Al Budoor, the college's Vice-Chancellor, said: "We are delighted to offer this English language proficiency programme and test to the pilot and air traffic controller community throughout the region.

"The college has worked with the GCAA in the development and implementation of the test and we have met their standards and specifications for the Approval status."

The courses are designed to help candidates acquire the required language proficiency in aviation English and ICAO radio telephony phraseology to meet the ICAO Operational Level - 4 or higher. The course duration is six weeks or 12 weeks, depending on the applicant's entry language proficiency.

For more information, please email: maha.hmeid@emirates.com

-Ends- 

Note to Editors
The Aerospace and Academic Studies facility of Emirates Aviation College is licensed by the Ministry of Education and offers a range of career programmes tailored to meet the personnel requirements of the aerospace, travel & tourism and business management industries.

Vocational programmes are offered in Aerospace Engineering, Electronics & Computer Engineering, Business Studies and Tourism Management, in addition to short courses in Management and the English language. The college offers three bachelor degree programmes in Air Transport Management, Aeronautical Engineering and Tourism Management. Full Masters degree programmes in Air Transport Management and Air Safety Management are also available to aviation professionals. 

The college has been approved as a centre for the IT literacy programme, the International Computer Driving License (ICDL).  The Air Traffic Management Training department offers a wide range of courses, from standardised air traffic control courses to specialised advanced courses and customised training. 

Contact:
Frances Barton,
Emirates Corporate Communications.
Tel: (+9714) 203 2144,
Mob: (+97150) 650 3900; 
email: fran.bart@emirates.com
visit: www.emirates.com

© Press Release 2007