Abstract:

This paper examines how gaming software, focused on controller-pilot scenarios, can be used to improve a student´s ability to communicate in English. And how it more specifically can be used as an aid for those student pilots trying to achieve a certified International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rating, which would allow them to fly outside their native country. This rating is only awarded after a candidate has shown that he/she possesses a sufficient proficiency in specialised aviation English. To prepare the students for this, various gaming software has been used to set up different scenarios, in which an aircraft and pilot are placed in routine and exceptional situations. These setups range from flying in completely safe conditions to situations where there are different degrees of danger, which are indicated by the use of what are known as “red flag” words, such as “heart attack” or “smoke on board”. This paper draws its conclusions using variations of an aircraft controller game implemented over a semester for two groups of 20 – 25 students at the Technical University of Ostrava during their class of aviation English. In order to gauge the results, the teacher along with the students have monitored, recorded and exchanged information on the mistakes and observations made in using aviation phraseology and terminology during their lessons.

Keywords:

Red flag words, hearback, readback, chunking, readability, cognitive skills.