If you have a FAA CPL/ATPL, you probably know that the FAA says that you are “english proficient”. Thats awesome. But the rest of the world is using ICAO english proficiency levels 1-6. So WTF is “english proficient”?
According to FAA
The FAA’s issuance of an “English Proficient” endorsement on a U.S. airman certificate attests that the airman meets the Level 4 operational standards found in ICAO Annex 1
So, American english is only a ICAO english proficiency level 4.
How do you upgrade your ICAO english level to ICAO English Proficiency level 6?
You need to download the CAAS FO95. Fill up the form and get an authorised AFE in your company to fill it up for you. You do not need to be “tested” in a formal setting. As long as the AFE that is flying with you, doing your base check with you or doing your FC32 sim and flights with you thinks that your english is proficient in accordance to ICAO level 6, he should be authorised to fill up the FO95 for you. Just take note, not ALL AFEs are authorised to upgrade your english level. Check with your company who the authorised AFEs are.
Once you submit the FO95 (usually together with your FC32 and FC08 (wtf are these?), you will be upgraded to ICAO level 6 and that should stick with you throughout your career.
