The ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements (introduced in 2008) are far from perfect but the positives outweigh the negatives. The 'elephant in the room' though has long been the native English speakers (NES's) ... however you define that term. In our research, non-native English speakers (NNES's) typically find it easier to understand other NNES's (than NES's). While most NNES’s have their Aviation English regularly tested, NES’s are typically ‘signed off’ permanently as ICAO Level 6. I believe it’s time to revisit this policy. English now comes in many different ‘flavours’ (or flavors if you’re from the US). There is no such thing as a standard English accent. Safe aeronautical communication is a SHARED responsibility. Everyone needs to be accountable. This video hopefully helps to make this point.

NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS AND ICAO LEVEL 6