PRACTICE 01
Build an accurate sentence
Type a complete sentence. These checks accept the listed wordings; compare the model if your wording is different.
FREE · 14 ITEMS · AUDIO + ANSWERS
Learn to describe a technical problem in aviation English with sentence building, pictures and spoken reports.
To describe a technical problem in aviation English, first identify the part and the symptom: “The cargo door is partly open.” Add where and when you noticed it, then separate what you know from what you suspect. A clear description is useful even when you do not know the precise technical term.
Next say who needs the information and what assistance is required. If the issue affects an ATC instruction, explain the limitation and make a specific request. Follow applicable operating and maintenance procedures; these language exercises do not diagnose faults or replace an engineering assessment.
PRACTICE 01
Type a complete sentence. These checks accept the listed wordings; compare the model if your wording is different.
PRACTICE 02

The examiner asks
Before departure, you notice the damage shown. Describe it and explain what you would tell an engineer.
Your taskDescribe the observation, explain what is uncertain and say who needs the information.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
There is a crack in the windscreen in front of the flight deck. I noticed it before departure. I cannot tell how deep the crack is or what caused it. I would tell the engineer where it is and when I saw it. We will stay on the stand while the engineer checks it. I will give the crew the information too.
Notes for Level 4
Before departure I noticed a crack in the flight deck windscreen. I would point out its exact location to the engineer and explain when I first saw it, without guessing which layer is affected. The aircraft is still on stand, so I would contact maintenance and follow the applicable procedure before any further movement. I would also tell the other pilot what I had observed and ask whether the defect had already been recorded.
Notes for Level 5
The visible problem is a crack in the windscreen, but the picture tells us nothing reliable about its depth, the affected layer or its cause. I would identify its position for maintenance, say when it was first noticed and check whether there is an existing report. Meanwhile, I would keep the other pilot informed and follow the applicable ground procedure. Rather than deciding from appearance whether the aircraft can continue, I would ask the engineer to assess it and communicate the outcome to the crew.
Notes for Level 6
PRACTICE 03

The examiner asks
You see the liquid shown near the main landing gear. Describe it and explain how you would report it.
Your taskDescribe the observation, explain what is uncertain and say who needs the information.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
There is some red fluid on the ground near the main landing gear. I do not know where it comes from. I would tell the ground team and the other pilot what I can see. The aircraft is on the stand, so I would ask maintenance to check the area. I would not say it is a hydraulic leak before it is checked.
Notes for Level 4
There is red fluid on the apron close to the main landing gear, but its source is not clear from the picture. I would report the position, colour and approximate extent to the ground team and maintenance, then explain when it was noticed. I would avoid identifying the system until it has been checked. The crew should coordinate with the ground team and follow the applicable procedure before further movement.
Notes for Level 5
I can see a patch of red fluid beneath the aircraft near the main gear. Its position and colour are useful observations, but neither proves which system, if any, is leaking. I would alert the ground team and maintenance, describe where and when it appeared, and tell them if the patch seemed to be growing, provided I had actually seen that. I would keep the flight crew informed and agree the next steps under the applicable procedure before the aircraft moves.
Notes for Level 6
PRACTICE 04

The examiner asks
The crew felt an unusual vibration during taxi. Look at the engine inspection and explain how you would brief the technician.
Your taskDescribe the observation, explain what is uncertain and say who needs the information.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
We felt an unusual vibration while we were taxiing. Now the aircraft is on the stand and the engine cover is open. I would tell the technician when we first felt the vibration and which side we think it came from. I am not sure about the cause. I would ask the technician to inspect it and tell us the result.
Notes for Level 4
During taxi the crew noticed an unusual vibration, and the aircraft is now on stand with an engine cowling open for inspection. I would tell the technician when the vibration began, whether it changed and which indications were available, if we know those details. I would distinguish a suspected source from a confirmed one. The crew can then provide the defect report and follow the applicable maintenance and operating procedures.
Notes for Level 5
The crew has reported a vibration during taxi, and the open cowling shows that an engine is being examined; it does not establish that the engine caused the vibration. I would give the technician a timeline, say what the crew felt and pass on any relevant indications we actually observed. If the source or side is uncertain, I would make that clear. I would ask what further information is useful, record the defect and coordinate the next decision with maintenance and the crew under the applicable procedures.
Notes for Level 6
PRACTICE 05

The examiner asks
Look at the two displays. Describe what you see and explain what you would communicate if a display failed.
Your taskDescribe the observation, explain what is uncertain and say who needs the information.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
One display in the flight deck is blank, but the display next to it is still lit. I would tell the other pilot what I can see. We need to check when the problem started and use the aircraft procedure. If our ability to follow a clearance is affected, I would explain the problem to the controller and say what we need.
Notes for Level 4
One flight deck display has gone blank while the adjacent display remains lit. I would tell the other pilot which display is affected and when it happened, then follow the relevant aircraft procedure. The picture does not tell us why it went blank or what information may be available elsewhere. If the problem affects our ability to comply with a clearance, I would inform ATC and make a specific request.
Notes for Level 5
The immediate observation is that one display is dark while the neighbouring display is lit. That is not enough to diagnose a power or display-system fault, nor to assume that the missing information is available elsewhere. I would tell the other pilot which display changed and when, then work through the applicable procedure. If our ability to comply with an instruction were affected, I would explain the limitation to ATC, state what assistance we need and confirm any amended clearance.
Notes for Level 6
PRACTICE 06

The examiner asks
You notice the damage shown during a ground inspection. Describe the tyre and explain what happens next.
Your taskDescribe the observation, explain what is uncertain and say who needs the information.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
There is a cut in the sidewall of the tyre. The aircraft is parked on the stand. I cannot see how deep the cut is. I would tell the other pilot and ask an engineer to look at the tyre. I would explain where I found the damage. We will follow the procedure and wait for the result before moving the aircraft.
Notes for Level 4
The main landing-gear tyre has a visible cut in its sidewall. I would show maintenance its exact location and explain when it was found, but I would not estimate the depth from this view. The aircraft is parked, so the crew and ground team can coordinate an inspection before any further movement. I would also ensure the observation is recorded and passed to the other pilot.
Notes for Level 5
There appears to be a cut in the sidewall of a main-gear tyre. The location is clear, but the image does not establish the depth or whether the tyre meets the applicable limits. I would notify the crew and maintenance, identify the affected wheel and record when the damage was found. Before any movement, I would coordinate with the ground team and follow the applicable procedure. I would ask the engineer to assess the damage and explain the result to the crew.
Notes for Level 6
PRACTICE 07

The examiner asks
After an attempt to close it, the cargo door remains in the position shown. Describe the problem and the next communication.
Your taskDescribe the observation, explain what is uncertain and say who needs the information.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
The cargo door is still partly open after the ground team tried to close it. I do not know why it is not closing. I would tell the other pilot and ask the ground team to stop and inform maintenance. We need to explain which door is affected. The aircraft is parked, and we will follow the procedure before continuing.
Notes for Level 4
The cargo door remains partly open after an attempt to close it. I would tell the crew and ground team which door is affected and explain what happened, without assuming that the latch has failed. I would ask maintenance to inspect it and follow the applicable procedure while the aircraft remains on stand. If there is a delay, I would pass an accurate update to the relevant people.
Notes for Level 5
The visible symptom is that the cargo door has not fully closed after the attempt. That does not establish whether the problem is the door, its mechanism or something obstructing it. I would identify the door, describe what the ground team observed and request a maintenance assessment. Meanwhile, I would keep the crew and ground team informed and follow the applicable procedure before further movement. If the departure plan changes, I would communicate a realistic update once the position is known.
Notes for Level 6
Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.
DEBRIEF
Name the part, describe the symptom and say where or when you noticed it. Then explain what is uncertain and tell the appropriate person what assistance you need.
Describe its location, shape or function: “the cover around the engine”, for example. Ask the other person to confirm the term rather than guessing.
Describe what you can see and where: “There is red fluid near the main landing gear.” Say that the source is unknown until it has been checked.
Use past tense for a completed observation: “The display went blank during taxi.” Use “has been” with “since” for a condition that began in the past and continues now.
Listen for differences in detail, structure and how the speaker handles uncertainty. The models illustrate language choices; a formal assessment considers performance across the six ICAO skills.