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The FCL.055 exam in Belgium: taking the English test

The framework is European, the arrangements are national. Here is the procedure in Belgium, with the texts it rests on.

Competent authority

Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), part of the FPS Mobility and Transport. Belgian assessment bodies are recognised by the Minister or by the Director-General of the BCAA, who sets the conditions they must meet (Article 4).

Reference text

Royal Decree of 19 March 2014 on language knowledge in civil aviation, published in the Moniteur belge / Belgisch Staatsblad of 22 May 2014 (number 2014014230), in force since 1 June 2014. It repeals the Royal Decree of 30 June 2008.

Which language, for which flights

  • English is required as soon as the flight operates in controlled airspace, or uses the flight information service (FIS).
  • Outside controlled airspace and without using FIS, the decree allows English or a national language used by the aerodrome concerned. Belgium has three national languages: Dutch, French and German.
  • In practice, a licence without an English endorsement therefore confines the pilot to uncontrolled aerodromes and uncontrolled airspace, with no FIS contact.

Format and required level (Article 3)

The decree sets no national format: it refers directly to point FCL.055(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 — the European framework described above. Assessment covers the six ICAO descriptors, and level 4 is the minimum required.

Where to take the exam (Article 4)

Proficiency is established by passing an assessment at a body recognised by the Belgian Minister or Director-General, by the aviation authority of another EU Member State, or by that of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

This is not blanket acceptance. The BCAA requires its *prior* approval where the holder of a Belgian licence wishes to be assessed by a centre or examiner under another authority. Transferring a European licence that already carries language endorsements is a different case: those endorsements are carried over. Check with the BCAA before booking.

Validity and renewal

  • Validity follows point FCL.055(c) of Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011: 4 years at level 4, 6 years at level 5, no periodic re-assessment at level 6.
  • Passing a new assessment renews the endorsement for the same periods.

Specific features

  • Assessment must be carried out by a body approved by the authority and operating a quality system. The BCAA requires in particular that a language expert and an operational expert be involved, and sets requirements on recording and on radio phraseology.
  • As the decree refers to the European framework, it sets neither a duration nor a number of test parts: the practical arrangements vary between approved centres.

References