Technical review: Tim Hittinger, Language Proficiency Examiner (A-126-LPE)FCL.055 at a glance
- Who
- Pilots of aeroplanes, helicopters, powered-lift aircraft, airships and gyroplanes who use the radio
- Minimum level
- Level 4 – Operational (ENAC: «Operativo»)
- Validity
- Level 4: 4 years · Level 5: 6 years · Level 6: no periodic re-evaluation
- Who assesses
- A certified examiner or a language testing body (LTB) approved by a competent authority
- Recognition
- The assessment may follow the method of an authority in another stateFCL.055(e) · EASA Opinion 05/2017
- In Italy
- ENAC recognises tests taken in EASA countries – online tests since 30 August 2022, under three conditionsNI-2020-027, Section 11 · ENAC “Language Proficiency Requirements” page
- Not covered
- Sailplanes and balloons (Part-SFCL, Part-BFCL), Italian VDS (ultralight) flying
Where does FCL.055 sit in EU law?
FCL.055 is part of Part-FCL, Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 on civil aviation aircrew. It has been amended several times, including recently: since 18 February 2026, point (a) also covers gyroplanes (Regulation (EU) 2025/134).
You can find the current consolidated version on EUR-Lex and the acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC and GM) in EASA’s Easy Access Rules for Aircrew . FCL.055 has five points, (a) to (e). Let’s go through them one by one.
(a) Who needs a language proficiency endorsement?
Point (a) applies to pilots of aeroplanes, helicopters, powered-lift aircraft, airships and – since 18 February 2026 – gyroplanes who are required to use the radio. The regulation says:
“Aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift aircraft, airship and gyroplane pilots required to use the radio telephone shall not exercise the privileges of their licences and ratings unless they have a language proficiency endorsement on their licence […]. The endorsement shall indicate the language, the proficiency level and the validity date, and it shall be obtained in accordance with a procedure established by a competent authority.”
Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex I, FCL.055(a), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2025/134 – EUR-Lex
The endorsement can be for English or for the language used for radio communication on the flight. In practice, your licence shows the language, the level and the validity date. The minimum is Level 4, which ENAC calls «Operativo» (operational).
Sailplane and balloon pilots are not covered by FCL.055; separate rules apply to them (Part-SFCL and Part-BFCL), and ENAC does not require a language check for these licences either. Italian VDS (ultralight) flying is not part of Part-FCL.
(b) What do you have to be able to do in English?
You must demonstrate at least Level 4 “to an assessor certified by a competent authority or a language-testing body approved by a competent authority”. The text says a competent authority: not necessarily the one that issued your licence (see point (e)).
In practice, at Level 4 you must be able to:
- communicate effectively in voice-only situations (as on the radio) and in face-to-face situations;
- communicate on common and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity;
- use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognise and resolve misunderstandings;
- handle the linguistic challenges of a complication or an unexpected turn of events in a routine situation;
- use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community.
It is not a test of technical knowledge: what counts is how you communicate, not what you know about procedures or meteorology. And FCL.055 does not require a test with a specific name: TEA, AELP, ELPE or “ICAO Level” are names of individual tests from different providers. The differences explained
(c) How long is Level 4, 5 or 6 valid?
Except for Level 6, language proficiency must be re-evaluated periodically: Level 4 every 4 years, Level 5 every 6 years. For Level 6 no periodic re-evaluation is required.
| Level | ICAO name | ENAC term | Re-evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | Operational | Operativo | every 4 years |
| Level 5 | Extended | Avanzato | every 6 years |
| Level 6 | Expert | Esperto | no periodic re-evaluation |
ENAC uses the same intervals in Section 1 of its Information Note (Nota Informativa) NI-2020-027: «ogni 4 anni per il livello 4 (Operativo); ogni 6 anni per il livello 5 (Avanzato)» – every 4 years for Level 4, every 6 years for Level 5. The validity date on your licence is what counts. Validity and renewal: when to book
(d) Do you hold an instrument rating (IR)?
Then FCL.055 asks for more: as an IR holder you must demonstrate proficiency in English, even if you normally use Italian on the radio. In the current text (Regulation (EU) 2020/359), IR holders “shall have demonstrated the ability to use the English language at the appropriate proficiency level as defined in Appendix 2” to Part-FCL.
This is also demonstrated through the method of assessment described in point (e). For ENAC, your language proficiency may be missing at the IR skill test, but it must be in place before the IR is endorsed on your licence (NI-2020-027, Section 4).
(e) Is an assessment from another EASA country valid in Italy?
Yes – that is exactly what point (e) is for. Language proficiency – and, for IR holders, the use of English – is demonstrated “through a method of assessment established by any competent authority”.
This wording was introduced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1747 and retained by Regulation (EU) 2020/359. EASA explained its purpose in Opinion No 05/2017:
“[…] the change in (e) will provide for the recognition of language proficiency assessments performed in accordance with the method of assessment established by Member States other than the one that is responsible for the issue of the pilot licence.”
EASA, Opinion No 05/2017, p. 11 – easa.europa.eu
In plain English: the assessment can follow the method of an authority in another EASA country. The endorsement on your licence, however, is always made by the authority that manages your licence, under its own procedures. For an Italian licence, that is ENAC.
How does ENAC apply FCL.055 in Italy?
ENAC sets out the recognition of tests taken abroad in Information Note NI-2020-027 of 30 July 2020. Section 11 («Riconoscimento di test effettuati all’estero» – recognition of tests taken abroad) states for tests taken in EASA countries:
«L’esito del test è riconosciuto e accettato per l’annotazione su licenza di volo italiana.»
Our translation: “The test result is recognised and accepted for endorsement on an Italian pilot licence.” ENAC, Nota Informativa NI-2020-027, Section 11 – enac.gov.it (PDF, Italian)
The same note sets out two reservations:
- ENAC may refuse the result if the way the country or the individual organisation implements the language proficiency requirement is the subject of a finding during EASA standardisation visits;
- ENAC never accepts English tests taken during proficiency checks conducted by a TRE.
So the final decision on the endorsement rests with ENAC.
Online tests: accepted since 30 August 2022
On its “Language Proficiency Requirements” page, ENAC states that it also accepts online tests delivered by language testing bodies approved by EASA states under FCL.055, provided that the candidate’s identity, security and confidentiality are guaranteed throughout the whole test (our translation). Check on the ENAC website
Who enters the level on your licence?
Under Section 10 of NI-2020-027, the organisation that ran the test issues a certificate, which you present to ENAC for the endorsement. The note still refers to the «Direzione Aeroportuale» (airport directorate); today, renewals are handled by the Direzione Territoriale (regional directorate, licensing office). The endorsement shows the language, the proficiency level and the validity date. Getting it on your ENAC licence, step by step
Does the ICAO test replace the English radiotelephony qualification?
No, they are two different things. If your licence only covers radiotelephony in Italian, ENAC Information Note NI-2022-005 of 10 March 2022 requires a course, the COM theory exam in English and a practical simulation to extend it to English. Section 5 adds:
«In aggiunta, i titolari di licenza di velivolo ed elicottero dovranno presentare il Language Proficiency Check effettuato presso un Body Language qualificato EASA; tale attestazione non è richiesta per i titolari delle licenze di aliante e di pallone.»
Our translation: “In addition, holders of an aeroplane or helicopter licence must present the Language Proficiency Check taken at a language body qualified under EASA rules; this certificate is not required for holders of sailplane and balloon licences.” ENAC, Nota Informativa NI-2022-005, Section 5 – enac.gov.it (PDF, Italian)
Our test gives you the language proficiency assessment, i.e. the Language Proficiency Check. It does not replace the English radiotelephony qualification (abilitazione alla radiotelefonia in lingua inglese). If you currently only have Italian RT and want to speak English on frequency, you need both. English RT vs language proficiency
Need your FCL.055 assessment?
Online ICAO English test, Levels 4–6, with a real examiner: about 30 minutes, certificate within 24 hours. For first assessments and renewals.
What does AMC1 FCL.055 require of the test?
AMC1 FCL.055 is EASA’s acceptable means of compliance: it explains how the assessment should be run. Three points matter to you:
- Voice-only and face-to-face: the assessment covers both situations. In our test, the examiner switches their camera off for part of the interview.
- No testing of their own trainees: assessors should not test applicants to whom they have given language training. At GAT, whoever trains you never examines you.
- Level and validity in writing: the licence holder receives a statement of the level and validity of their language proficiency.
How does the ICAO rating scale work?
The ICAO scale has six levels. For FCL.055, Levels 4, 5 and 6 are what matter: below Level 4 you do not get an endorsement for radio communication in that language.
| Level | ICAO name | For your licence |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Pre-elementary, Elementary, Pre-operational | below the minimum |
| 4 | Operational | minimum required · Level 4 |
| 5 | Extended | Level 5 |
| 6 | Expert | Level 6 |
Every candidate is rated on six criteria:
An accent is fine as long as it does not get in the way of understanding.
Basic structures under control; errors do not change the meaning.
Enough words, and the ability to paraphrase.
A suitable pace without distracting pauses.
You understand different accents and unexpected developments.
Relevant responses, checking and clarifying.
The overall level is not the average: it is the lowest of the six ratings. With Level 5 in five criteria and Level 4 in pronunciation, the result is Level 4. Reference: ICAO Rating Scale (Appendix 2 to Part-FCL, AMC2 FCL.055, ICAO Doc 9835). How the test works
FCL.055: frequently asked questions
Is Level 6 really valid for life?
Under FCL.055(c) there is no periodic re-evaluation for Level 6, and ENAC does not require one for the «Esperto» level either. If you have your licence validated in a non-EASA country or fly for a non-EASA operator, different rules may apply: check them case by case.
What happens if my level has expired?
Without a valid English endorsement you cannot exercise the privileges of your licence on flights where you use English on the radio (FCL.055(a)). You can take a new assessment at any time, even after expiry, and then ask ENAC to endorse the new level. Validity and renewal
Can I take the test with an LTB in another EASA country?
Yes. FCL.055(e) provides for the recognition of assessments based on the method of any competent authority, and ENAC accepts the results of tests taken in EASA countries (NI-2020-027, Section 11) – online too since 30 August 2022, under the conditions it has published. The final decision on the endorsement rests with ENAC. Our test is run with LTB 112, certified by Austro Control GmbH (Austria). All the details
Does an English check during a proficiency check with a TRE count?
Not if the test takes place in another EASA country: ENAC never accepts the result of English tests taken during proficiency checks conducted by a TRE (NI-2020-027, Section 11). So it is best to take a separate language proficiency assessment with an LTB or an authorised centre.
Do I need technical knowledge for the ICAO test?
No. What is assessed is how you communicate in English, not what you know about procedures or meteorology. The tasks have an aviation context, but there are no right or wrong answers. Try a free sample
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex I (Part-FCL), FCL.055 – consolidated version on EUR-Lex: English · Italian
- EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, AMC1 and AMC2 FCL.055 – easa.europa.eu
- EASA, Opinion No 05/2017, p. 11 (amendment of FCL.055(e)) – easa.europa.eu
- ENAC, “Language Proficiency Requirements” page (online tests since 30 August 2022, Italian) – enac.gov.it
- ENAC, Information Note NI-2020-027 of 30 July 2020, Sections 1, 4, 10 and 11 (Italian) – enac.gov.it (PDF)
- ENAC, Information Note NI-2022-005 of 10 March 2022 (radiotelephony in English, Italian) – enac.gov.it (PDF)
- Austro Control GmbH: lists of language testing bodies, tests and examiners – austrocontrol.at
This page summarises the rules in plain language and is not legal advice. The official texts of the regulations and of the ENAC notes are authoritative. Translations from Italian are ours.