AELS directly affects flight safety. Regulations require pilots to meet and maintain English language skill
requirements for all grades of pilot certificates issued under part 61. When a flight instructor conducts a flight evaluation and/or flight training event, the flight instructor should identify any pilot who does not meet English language skill requirements and take appropriate action. Finally, all training, checking, or evaluation will be conducted in English. AC 60-28 provides information and guidance regarding English language standards required by part 61.

The IPC and the flight review are both evaluations of a pilot’s ability to conduct a safe flight. Safety-related issues concerning language barriers to communications may arise if a pilot does not meet FAA English language skill standards. A flight instructor should continually evaluate the pilot’s English language skills during any flight evaluation or training event that the instructor conducts and endorse the individual’s training record or logbook in English for the training and endorsement provided.

A flight instructor conducting a flight review or IPC should not endorse the evaluation as satisfactorily completed if the instructor determines that the pilot under review does not meet FAA English language skill standards. When a pilot has not accomplished a flight review satisfactorily, the evaluating instructor should endorse the pilot’s logbook to indicate only the training received (as is the case with any unsuccessful flight review). There is no provision in the regulation for the failure of a flight review; therefore, there should be no logbook endorsement reflecting a failure. In the event the flight review is not successful, due to the flight instructor’s doubt that the pilot under review meets FAA English language skill requirements, the flight instructor should provide a logbook entry for training received, advise the pilot of the flight instructor’s finding, and notify their responsible Flight Standards office for further action. See paragraph 1.8.4 for additional flight instructor actions.

Although the FAA expects flight instructors to be aware of and follow the guidelines provided in AC 60-28, the FAA does not expect flight instructors to be responsible for a conclusive evaluation of an airman’s ability to meet the FAA AELS. Only an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) can determine if an applicant, student, or certificated pilot meets the FAA regulatory English language eligibility requirements. However, if a flight instructor questions the ability of the airman under training or evaluation to read, speak, write, and understand the English language at a level that meets FAA English language standards, then that flight instructor must refer the airman to the responsible Flight Standards office for evaluation by an FAA ASI. Thus, the FAA ASI will make the determination. The flight instructor should also provide the airman’s contact information to the responsible Flight Standards office.

Pilots should design a currency program tailored to their individual operating environments and needs, which should emphasize proficiency beyond the minimum currency requirements. In most cases, pilots may integrate currency criteria with normal operations to reduce the need for separate currency flights. For example, pilots could incorporate additional takeoffs and landings, instrument approach procedures (IAP), or specialized takeoffs and landings, such as short or soft field, into a planned flight. In most cases, pilots should consider the need for currency beyond that specified by 14 CFR.

The FAA strongly encourages pilots to participate in the FAASTeam’s Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS), which includes numerous forms of training media such as online programs and recommended topics for pilots to review with flight instructors. Additionally, the FAASTeam conducts safety seminars, which are open to the public. You can find the FAASTeam website at https://www.faasafety.gov.

Pilots should also explore the wide range of publications and other commercially developed materials available for use in personal currency programs. To ensure pilots stay up to date with regulatory changes and flying techniques, the FAA also encourages pilots to read aviation periodicals on a regular basis.

For assistance in developing a personal currency program, pilots may consult a wide variety of sources. These sources include: