PRACTICE 01
Listen · Amended climb
Transcript
- ATC
Coastal four two niner, stop climb at altitude six thousand feet due crossing traffic.
- Pilot
Stopping climb at altitude six thousand feet, Coastal four two niner.
FREE · 15 PRACTICE ITEMS · AUDIO + ANSWERS
ICAO English Test for Pilots: Free Practice with Audio
Prepare with this original ICAO English test for pilots: listen to controller exchanges, describe scenes and practise pilot responses.
BRIEFING
Practise from the pilot’s seat
This ICAO English test for pilots uses original operational situations to practise both listening and speaking. Hear the clearance or report, identify what is actually said and distinguish an altitude, a request and an unanswered question.
For each speaking task, describe the evidence, explain what you need and check the reply. Listen to your recording against the models rather than memorising a script. Test formats vary by provider; these exercises are study material and cannot assign a licence level.
- Listen to each exchange and check the two questions.
- Study each picture and record your pilot response.
- Compare the models, then answer the communication quiz.
PRACTICE
Work through the exercise
0 done
PRACTICE 02
Listen · A vibration report
Transcript
- Pilot
Departure, Nordair fife six two. We have a vibration that started after take-off. Request level flight while we assess the situation.
- ATC
Nordair fife six two, maintain altitude fife thousand feet. Advise if further assistance is required.
- Pilot
Maintaining altitude fife thousand feet, Nordair fife six two.
PRACTICE 03
Listen · Not ready for departure
Transcript
- Pilot
Tower, Skyline one four niner, not ready for departure. Cabin crew report an unsecured item in the galley. Request to remain at the holding point.
- ATC
Skyline one four niner, hold position. Advise when ready.
- Pilot
Holding position, Skyline one four niner.
PRACTICE 04
Speak · A pre-flight observation
The examiner asks
Look at the picture. You are the pilot. What would you report and what would you ask before discussing the departure?
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
I can see a small mark on the wing, and an engineer is looking at it. I do not know how the mark happened or if it is serious. I would tell the other pilot what I saw and ask the engineer for an advice about it. I would wait for the maintenance update before we discuss the next part of the flight.
Notes for Level 4
- Structure
- Simple sentences identify the mark and the unknowns.
- Interactions
- The pilot asks maintenance for an assessment.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
- Vocabulary
- “An advice” is understandable; use “some advice” because advice is uncountable.
There is a visible scuff on the wing leading edge, and the engineer appears to be examining it. The image does not establish the cause or whether the aircraft is serviceable. I would report the location to the other pilot, ask maintenance for the outcome of their inspection and share any confirmed effect on the planned departure with the crew.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- Precise location and conditional meaning separate evidence from diagnosis.
- Interactions
- The response requests an inspection outcome.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
- Pronunciation
- Listen for clear stress on “leading edge” and “maintenance”.
The scuff is visible on the leading edge, but neither its cause nor its operational significance can be established from the image. I would make sure the other pilot knows exactly what has been observed, then ask the engineer for an assessment and a further update. That keeps the crew informed without turning a surface observation into an unsupported judgement about serviceability.
Notes for Level 6
- Comprehension
- The response distinguishes surface evidence from an assessment.
- Interactions
- The information is directed to both the crew and the engineer.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
PRACTICE 05
Speak · Weather ahead
The examiner asks
Look at the picture. You are the pilot. Describe the situation and explain how you would discuss a possible deviation.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
There is a large dark cloud ahead of the aircraft, and I can see clearer sky on one side. I do not know what the weather is inside the cloud. I would discuss the available information with the other pilot. If we need to change the route, we will ask the controller and listen carefully to the answer before we act.
Notes for Level 4
- Structure
- The response gives a clear description and a conditional plan.
- Interactions
- The pilot asks for a deviation instead of assuming approval.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
A tall cloud is visible ahead, with clearer sky on one side. The crew would need to consider the available weather information rather than rely on the photograph alone. If a deviation were needed, I would coordinate the proposed direction with the other pilot, make a specific request to the controller and confirm any limit in the reply.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- The response connects observation, assessment and a specific request.
- Interactions
- Confirming a limitation helps keep the crew and controller aligned.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
The cloud ahead may require a change of route, although the clearer view to one side does not by itself establish a suitable path. I would compare the available weather information with my colleague’s assessment, then make a specific request if we needed to deviate. Before acting, I would check the controller’s reply for any limitation and make sure both pilots share the same understanding.
Notes for Level 6
- Comprehension
- The response qualifies a plausible inference about the clearer area.
- Interactions
- A crew cross-check and a controller reply complete the interaction.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
PRACTICE 06
Speak · A cabin report
The examiner asks
Look at the picture. You are the pilot. Describe the scene; cabin crew say the compartment will not close. What would you ask and communicate?
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
The picture shows an open compartment and two cabin crew members. They say the compartment will not close. I would ask where it is and whether anything inside can move. I would tell the other pilot what the cabin crew reported. Then I would ask the cabin crew for an update and discuss what we need to do before continuing.
Notes for Level 4
- Structure
- The answer covers the stated problem, location and a follow-up.
- Interactions
- It identifies the report as coming from cabin crew.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
The cabin crew report that the overhead compartment will not close. I would confirm its location and ask whether its contents are secure, then share the report with the other pilot. I would discuss the next action with the cabin team and, if the situation affects our readiness, tell the controller what we need and when we can provide another update.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- The answer connects the cabin report with a possible operational effect.
- Interactions
- The conditional controller update states a need without inventing one.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
The image shows an open compartment, while the additional report tells us it will not close. I would establish its location, ask about its contents and check what the cabin crew have already tried without assuming the cause. After briefing the other pilot, I would agree the next update with the cabin team and communicate any effect on our readiness to the controller.
Notes for Level 6
- Comprehension
- The answer distinguishes visible evidence from the additional report.
- Interactions
- The sequence links cabin, flight deck and controller communication.
- Fluency
- Practise the sequence aloud; compare how clearly the ideas connect.
PRACTICE 07
Check the pilot’s response
Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.
DEBRIEF
Your practice debrief
KEEP PRACTISING
More free ICAO English exercises
FAQ
Common questions
What is included in this ICAO English test for pilots?
It contains six listening questions, three picture-based speaking tasks and six communication questions, with audio, explanations and speaking models.
What does an English proficiency test for pilots assess?
ICAO language proficiency assessment covers Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension and Interactions in an operational context. Speaking and listening are tested; phraseology alone is not the whole assessment.
What ICAO English level do pilots need for international radiotelephony?
Level 4 Operational is the ICAO minimum for radiotelephony on international operations. Check your licensing authority’s requirements and accepted tests.
Are these questions from a real pilot English test?
No. These are original practice questions and scenarios. Actual test formats vary by provider.
Can this practice determine my pilot licence level?
No. Use the models and answer explanations for study; a licence assessment considers all six skills, with the lowest skill rating determining the overall level.
