{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2011-1178/annex-I/division-SUBPART+A/division-FCL.055",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2011-1178/annex-I/division-SUBPART+A/division-FCL.055.json",
  "legislation": "eur/2011/1178",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2011-1178",
  "path": "annex/I/division/SUBPART+A/division/FCL.055",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "FCL.055",
  "heading": "Language proficiency",
  "text": "(a)General. Aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift and airship pilots required to use the radio telephone shall not exercise the privileges of their licences and ratings unless they have an English language proficiency endorsement on their licence in English, indicating the proficiency level and validity date.\n(b)The applicant for a language proficiency endorsement shall demonstrate, in accordance with Appendix 2 to this Annex, at least an operational level of language proficiency both in the use of phraseologies and plain language to an assessor certified by the CAA or a language-testing body approved by the CAA as applicable. To do so, the applicant shall demonstrate the ability to:\n(1)communicate effectively in voice-only and in face-to-face situations;\n(2)communicate on common and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity;\n(3)use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognise and resolve misunderstandings in a general or work-related context;\n(4)handle successfully the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events which occurs within the context of a routine work situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar; and\n(5)use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community.\n(c)Except for pilots who have demonstrated language proficiency at the expert level (level 6) in accordance with Appendix 2 to this Annex, the language proficiency endorsement shall be re-evaluated every:\n(1)4 years, if the level demonstrated is operational level (level 4); or\n(2)6 years, if the level demonstrated is extended level (level 5).\n(d)Specific requirements for holders of an instrument rating (IR) or en-route instrument rating (EIR). Without prejudice to the points above, holders of an IR or an EIR shall have demonstrated the ability to use English at the appropriate proficiency level as defined in Appendix 2 to this Annex.\n(e)The demonstration of language proficiency and the ability to use English for IR or EIR holders shall be done through a method of assessment established by the CAA.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1747 of 15 October 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 as regards requirements for certain flight crew licences and certificates, rules on training organisations and competent authorities (Text with EEA relevance)."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in Annex 1 point FCL.055(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/645), regs. 1, 310(8)(a) (with Sch. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1098, regs. 1(3), 12); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Annex 1 point FCL.055(b) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1116), regs. 1(2), 57(2)(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in Annex 1 point FCL.055(e) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1116), regs. 1(2), 57(2)(c)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2011/1178/annex/I/division/SUBPART+A/division/FCL.055",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T14:49:46.231029+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}