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Aviation English Asia Ltd
The region's first language centre dedicated to the aviation sector.
ICAO Aviation English for Commercial Pilots
Professional language courses for pilots
English for Aircraft Engineers
English for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Technicians and Mechanics
ICAO Aviation English for Cadet Entry Pilots
Aviation English course suitable for candidates applying for a Cadet Pilot Programme
English for Air Traffic Control Officers
Professional language courses for ATCOs.
English for Airport Service Providers
English for ground handling agents, turnaround co-ordinators, and load controllers.
English for Airport Customer Service Officers
English for customer service officers, operations officers, and front line staff.
Student news:
HKG: See this week's class schedule for Cadet Entry Pilots here. ... Learn more
HKG: See this week's class schedule for Commercial Pilots here. ... Learn more
Read articles, advice and hints and tips about improving your Aviation English. ... Learn more
Congratulations to AEA students who passed an ICAO English test recently.
HKG: See this week's class schedule for Commercial Pilots here. ... Learn more
Resources to improve your listening comprehension. ... Learn more
Resources to improve your listening comprehension. ... Learn more
Quick Tips to help you improve your Aviation English ... Learn more

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Before enrolling on a course all learners must first attend a consultation.

Call +852 81799295 to learn more.

Classes available 7 days per week

Classes for pilots, controllers and engineers are available Monday to Friday, 0900-2130 HKT.

Supplementary Classes are available at the weekend.

Professional Training and Examination Refund Scheme

Several courses are pre-approved as re-imburseable under the HKSAR government's MATF programme

matf English courses for pilots, ATCs, engineers and cabin crew - AviationEnglish.com

Candidates who are in full-time employment with an airline or airport in Hong Kong are eligible for re-imbursement up to $18,000 HKD.

radiotelephony

  • Advice for Candidates Scoring ICAO Level 3 in Comprehension

    Learning advice from Aviation English Asia.  Article written by Michael Egerton

    Why did you fail to score ICAO level 4 in comprehension?

    There are a number of factors affecting listening comprehension, and in this article I'm going to explain exactly what you should do to improve your proficiency to achieve at least an ICAO level 4 (most AEA students are trained to achieve level 5).  But first of all, some good news - even though you failed it's not necessarily your fault.  You might have been given bad advice by someone that doesn't really understand the process of communication, the test used might be inappropriate, or your assessor might just be plain wrong. 

    radiotelephony panel

    In a previous article, http://aviationenglish.com/learning-advice/improve-your-listening-comprehension-of-pilot-atc-dialogues I explained that difficulties with listening comprehension in ICAO English tests tend to fall into one of these categories:

    1. Lack of familiarity with radiotelephony / standard phraseology
    2. Lack of aviation-related vocabulary - aileron, backtrack, laminar flow
    3. Lack of proficiency in identifying non-technical vocabulary - which significantly changes the meaning of a sentence
    4. Lack of proficiency in identify the grammatical structure of a sentence - which significantly changes the meaning of a sentence
    5. Lack of proficiency in identifying sounds - leading to confusion of "similar" sounding words

    How to achieve ICAO level 4 or higher in comprehension

    In order to achieve ICAO level 4 or higher, the first thing you should do is attend a course with Aviation English Asia Ltd.  Founded in 2009, Aviation English Asia Ltd is the only genuine provider of Aviation English in Hong Kong.  100% percent of our teaching staff are suitably qualified and experienced with externally validated teaching qualifications.  Please be cautious with other training providers and make sure that they are members of the Aviation English Organisation and conform to the standards of the AEROSTA Framework.  

    Every learner starts at a different level of English proficiency and with a different level of exposure to aviation, so it is important to have a consultation with Aviation English Asia Ltd before you attend a course.  If you have a CPL/ATPL we will probably recommend 30-100 units of the ICAO Aviation English for Commercial Pilots course.  If you are ab initio, or have from 0-250 flying hours we will probably recommend the ICAO Aviation English for Cadet Entry Pilots course, and optionally Radiotelephony 101 if you need to become more familiar with radiotelephony / standard phraseology.  These courses will address lack of familiarity with radiotelephony and aviation-related vocabulary but most importantly help you identify sounds and the grammatical structure of a sentence.

    Misbeliefs about listening comprehension

    Now that you know how to enrol on a proper Aviation English course, it's time to address some misbeliefs that you might have about listening.

    1. Listening can't be taught in a classroom, it is best for self-study - this is not true.  In fact there are many things that AEA teachers do to help learners listen more effectively.  A suitably qualified Aviation English teacher can expose you to appropriate listening material which will be followed by practice activities which give further opportunity to listen successfully and build confidence by taking risks in your listening.  AEA teachers can teach strategies which can guide you to effective listening comprehension.  And the truth is, the vast majority of that audio from liveatc.net is either meaningless or unintelligible.  If you are a regular listener to our student radio station - Aviation English Radio you will know that all of the audio and listening activities are properly graded as suitable for ICAO level 4-5.

    2. Listening is a passive skill - listening is not at all passive.  During classes AEA students do a lot of listening activities which involve guessing, predicting, inferring meaning, criticising, building situational awareness and communicating critical information.  It is far more accurate to say that listening is a receptive skill rather than a passive skill.  Attend a class with AEA and you will see how misguided your previous preparation was.

    3. Understanding non-native speakers of English is easier than understanding native speakers - there are many factors such as tempo of speech and the amount of exposure to the target language.  Other factors include how vowel sounds are pronounced and other idiosyncrasies of non-native speakers, and the way that grammatical structures are pronounced with reduced sounds.  We will teach you this in AEA classes.

    4. Listening to L1 and L2 involves the same skills - it's more a matter of how those skills are applied.  It's a well known fact that many candidates who are non-native speakers perform better in an ICAO English test than native speakers.  This is probably due to listening without fully concentrating on the message, as we do it without being conscious of listening.  AEA will teach you how to apply these skills properly and at the right time.

    5. Learners should understand every word while listening - this is a very complex matter - a lot of speech consists of words which are not important.  Spoken language includes a lot of filler and signpost words which while they can be eliminated do make listening easier because these structures allow us to focus on the important words.  But it is really important to understand that it is critical that learners have a strong command of basic structures (these are listed in the AEROSTA Framework), before they can decide which words are significant and which can be ignored.

    6. Learners should read the transcripts of recordings -when learners watch videos on youtube (often of very loose phraseology from FAA based towers), they often spend more time focusing on the written words than the oral form.  These learners think they are improving their listening, but actually they are practicing pronunciation.  There are some advantages to seeing the difference between written and spoken forms of English, and seeing which sounds are swallowed, but this should be done at the final stage after you have listened to the audio at least twice.  Join a class with AEA and you can practice a more effective method of listening comprehension.

    7. The best way to practice listening is to practice listening - it might seem unusual, but the best way to improve your listening comprehension is not to practice listening.  It's often a matter of improving your pronunciation and basic grammar.  The AEROSTA Framework clearly defines what these elements of pronunciation and basic structures are, so if you improve those then you are likely to improve your listening at the same time.

    Misbeliefs can happen for many other reasons too, and a lot of them can be spread culturally and socially, but as I said at the start of this article - it's not necessarily your fault.  Even though you failed an ICAO test, it's not the end of the world and this target level is easily achievable.  Many students who come to Aviation English Asia Ltd after failing an ICAO English test think that it is the best thing that ever happened to them.

    You can arrange your consultation by calling +852 81799295 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

    This article is copyright protected and many not be modified or reproduced without express permission of Aviation English Asia Ltd. 

  • Ask ATC: Bothering ATC

    Some GA pilots believe that ATC are very busy and that they would be bothering them by talking to them.  In this video produced in partnership with NATCA and the FAA, Air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten debunks the notion that talking to flights squawking 1200 is an inconvenience for ATC.

    Listening comprehension - plain English in an aeronautical context

    Watch the video and then check your comprehension by comparing against the transcript hidden below.

  • Ask ATC: Fast Talkers

    Air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten gives practical advice for pilots who are worried ATC will speak too quickly for comprehension.

    Ask ATC is produced in partnership with NATCA and the FAA.

  • Ask ATC: Flight Following

    Should I bother calling for flight following services if ATC is busy?

  • Ask ATC: Flight Following and Airspace

    Flight following and airspace

  • Ask ATC: Flight Following and Airspace

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  • Ask ATC: IFR Practice Approaches

    IFR Practice Approaches

  • Ask ATC: Minimum Fuel vs. Fuel Emergency

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  • Ask ATC: Precipitation Intensity – how to collaborate with ATC to deviate around weather

    Pilots often assume that all air traffic controllers have weather radar, but that’s not the case. In this Ask ATC segment, air traffic controllers Beverly Cook, Mel Davis, and AnnMarie Taggio share tips for how pilots can better communicate their knowledge of the weather ahead to help ATC find a safe solution.

    To learn more, check out our Radio Communication and ATC safety spotlight at www.airsafetyinstitute.org/spotlight/radiocommandatc.

    The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Ask ATC video series was made possible by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

    Please visit the AOPA Foundation at www.aopafoundation.org/donate to learn how you can participate in funding future safety programs by the Air Safety Institute.

    Watch the entire Ask ATC series at http://bit.ly/AskATCplaylist

  • Ask ATC: Student Pilot - Tell ATC

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  • Ask ATC: Thunderstorms

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  • Ask ATC: VFR Flight Plans – What air traffic controllers know and don’t know about your flight

    In this Ask ATC segment, air traffic controllers Leanne Martin and Matt Sullivan clarify the differences between VFR flight plans and flight following services to help pilots fly safely to their destination.

    To learn more, check out our Flight Planning and Preflight safety spotlight at www.airsafetyinstitute.org/spotlight/planningandpreflight.

    The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Ask ATC video series was made possible by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

    Please visit the AOPA Foundation at www.aopafoundation.org/donate to learn how you can participate in funding future safety programs by the Air Safety Institute.

    Watch the entire Ask ATC series at http://bit.ly/AskATCplaylist

  • Ask ATC: When to Ask for Flight Following – How to communicate with air traffic control

    In this Ask ATC segment, air traffic controller Leanne Martin talks about the importance of requesting flight following in advance before taxiing in order to help ATC process your request and provide the services you need in a timely manner.

    To learn more, check out our Radio Communication and ATC safety spotlight at www.airsafetyinstitute.org/spotlight/radiocommandatc.

    The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Ask ATC video series was made possible by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

    Please visit the AOPA Foundation at www.aopafoundation.org/donate to learn how you can participate in funding future safety programs by the Air Safety Institute.

    Watch the entire Ask ATC series at http://bit.ly/AskATCplaylist

    Video transcript:
    The best place to communicate with air traffic control your intentions is always on the ground when you’re not moving. That way we can get all of the specific information that we need. Then at that point in time, we as controllers can pass that information on. It does not help controllers for you to tell us information at the last second. When you’re on Ground Control or Clearance Delivery, and you let the controller know what you’d like to do, we write down all that information. That information is passed to the Local Controller. The Local Controller then knows which direction to turn you. From, after you depart, then that information is now passed to the Approach Controller, and the Approach Controller then will know what requested altitude you would like and what direction of flight that you’d like.

  • ATC RADAR MAPS EXPLAINED - What information do they provide?


    Audio source: www.liveatc.net

     

  • Compass Errors in Aircraft | Aviation Theory

    When it comes to navigation in aircraft, a reliable compass is crucial. However, compasses are not perfect and can be affected by various errors. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of compass errors that occur in aircraft and how they can impact navigation.

    1. Magnetic Deviation

    One common compass error is magnetic deviation. This error is caused by the presence of magnetic fields within the aircraft, such as those generated by electrical systems or ferrous materials. These magnetic fields can interfere with the compass needle, causing it to deviate from the true magnetic north.

    2. Magnetic Variation

    Another important compass error to consider is magnetic variation. Magnetic variation refers to the angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a specific location. This error occurs due to the Earth's magnetic field not aligning perfectly with the geographic North Pole.

    3. Oscillation

    Oscillation is a type of compass error that causes the compass needle to swing back and forth rapidly, making it difficult to get an accurate reading. This error can be caused by turbulence or vibrations within the aircraft.

    4. Dip Errors

    Dip errors occur when the aircraft is flying at different altitudes. As the altitude changes, the Earth's magnetic field can have varying effects on the compass needle. For example, when flying at higher altitudes, the compass needle may tilt downwards, leading to incorrect readings.

    5. Acceleration and Deceleration Errors

    During acceleration or deceleration, compass errors can occur due to the inertia of the compass card. When the aircraft undergoes changes in speed, the compass card may not immediately adjust, resulting in temporary errors in the displayed heading.

    6. Northerly Turning Error

    The northerly turning error is a compass error that affects the accuracy of the compass when making turns in certain directions. When turning towards the north or south, the compass tends to indicate a shallower bank angle than the actual bank angle of the aircraft.

    7. Magnetic Dip

    Magnetic dip is an error caused by the inclination of the Earth's magnetic field. As the aircraft moves closer to the Earth's magnetic poles, the compass needle becomes more susceptible to dip errors. These errors can result in inaccurate readings, especially when flying near the magnetic poles.

    8. Precession

    Precession is a gradual drift of the compass needle over time. This error occurs due to various factors, such as friction and changes in temperature. It is important for pilots to regularly check and recalibrate their compasses to compensate for precession.

    Conclusion: Navigating Compass Errors

    Understanding the different types of compass errors that occur in aircraft is essential for pilots. By being aware of these errors and their potential impacts on navigation, pilots can take appropriate measures to compensate for them. Regular compass checks, proper calibration, and staying updated with magnetic variation charts are crucial for accurate navigation.

  • How to reply to "Pass Your Message"

    Under what circumstances would a controller say "pass your message" and how would you respond?  
  • Listening Comprehension - China Eastern transmitting blind

    This incident involves China Eastern unknowingly transmitting blind, (possibly by accidentally keying the mic) and being unable to receive transmissions from TWR.  

    Notice how China Eastern was able to transmit but not receive. In the circumstances above how could TWR identify that the aircraft had a problem and was unable to respond? 

  • Radiotelephony - stating inability

    What would you do if you are given an instruction by a controller that you are not able to comply with?  Watch the video and listen to the advice.

  • Say It Right - Paperwork?

    Video from ASI's online course, Say It Right https://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/say-...

  • Say It Right: First Things First

    From ASI's online course, Say It Right https://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/say-...

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Hong Kong

Aviation English Asia has been offering part time and full time courses in Hong Kong since 2009.

All courses are available in Hong Kong. Check the schedule above for details.

Vietnam

Aviation English Asia has been offering part time courses in Vietnam since 2014.

All courses are available in Vietnam - typically every 8 weeks, or by special arrangement.

Taiwan

ICAO Aviation English, English for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Technicians and Mechanics, and English for Flight Attendants are available in Taipei, Tainan and Kaosiung.

Cambodia

Aviation English Asia has been offering part time and full time courses in Cambodia since July 2018

All courses are available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Check the schedule for details.

 

Member of the Aviation English Organisation

 

matf English courses for pilots, ATCs, engineers and cabin crew - AviationEnglish.com

 

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