Assessing English Language Proficiency in International Aviation Issues of Reliability, Validity, and Aviation Safety

by Ruixia Yan

English language communication between pilots and air
traffic controllers (ATCs) is the most important
factor in international aviation safety. However,
there is little to no research on the awareness of
pilots and ATCs concerning the importance of language
communication to aviation safety. Also, reliability
and validity of English language proficiency testing
in international aviation have been neglected. This
book shows room for improvement in training pilots
and ATCs concerning factors critical to aviation
safety. Also, it offers a way to improve the
reliability and validity of teaching/testing in
general, especially in international aviation. In
addition, the potential role of undiscovered
communication disorders in pilots and ATCs is
discussed. The book shows that better communication
ensures better safety, and more reliable and valid
testing and training. It should be useful to the
international aviation industry in improving flight
safety and it should help researchers improve the
reliability and validity of teaching/testing. It will
also interest professionals in speech and language
sciences who will want to think more about
communication disorders in high risk industries.