ELPACst  Paper 1 tests understanding communications between pilots and controllers and between controllers andcontrollers in both routine and non-routine situations.

The recordings used in Paper 1 are based on original recordings of pilot/controller and controller/controller communications in which routine, non-routine and unexpected events are dealt with.

Whilst displaying a variety of accents and using arange of airline company callsigns in the scenarios prepared for testing, every effort is made to respect the anonymity of the original participants.

The recordings are based on authentic material and range from short standard pilot/controller transmissions to longer communications in which the controller deals with non-routine or unexpected situations with pilots and other controllers.

The EU Directive on a Common ATC Licence adopted the ICAO Rating Scale and Holistic Descriptors for language proficiency, and thus the language proficiency of student air traffic controllers has to be tested in a work-related context. Student controllers have to pass a language proficiency test before commencing their on-the-job training (OJT). In ELPACst most of the recordings are based on recordings obtained from simulation exercises.

There are two separate versions - for TWR and APS/ACS student controllers.

Trialling and test construction follows the same principles as the ELPAC test.

More information is provided on www.elpac.info

ELPACst Paper 2 (Oral Interaction) assesses the student controller’s language proficiency through non-visual and visual communication in three phases. Typically, the student controller will demonstrate proficiency in:

• making an appropriate response to a pilot message;
• switching between standard ICAO phraseology and plain English;
• additionally he/she should:
• give opinions;
• evaluate (advantages & disadvantages);
• produce extended speech in an aviation context.

 There are separate versions for TWR, APS and ACS student controllers.

 Trialling and test construction follows the same principles as the ELPAC test. More information is provided on www.elpac.info