Santos Dumont English Assessment (SDEA)
Santos-Dumont English Assessment consists of an oral interview divided into four parts:
- Part I – Aviation Topics
- Part II – Interacting as a Pilot
- Part III - Unexpected Situations
- Part IV- Picture Description and Discussion
Skills assessed by SDEA : pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interactions. The rating follows the holistic descriptors and the ICAO Rating Scale, which was translated to Portuguese and included in Appendix A of RBAC 61. SDEA’s current test format was developed to distinguish the following language proficiency levels: Extended (5), Operational (4), Pre-operational (3), Elementary (2) and Pre-elementary (1). One level is awarded for each of the six assessment criteria and the candidate’s final level corresponds to the lowest level among them.
For pilots to be authorized to fly internationally, they must achieve at least final level 4.
The interview is audio and video recorded for further assessment.
Two examiners will evaluate the pilot: an ELE (English Language Expert) and a pilot or controller (SME - Subject Matter Expert). If there is disagreement between the two examiners regarding the candidate's level of proficiency, the recording of the test is evaluated by a third examiner who decides the pilot’s final level. The candidate only interacts with the ELE, although there may be other examiners in the room during the test, (e.g., in case of ANAC inspections at the accredited institutions or during ANAC rater training courses).
Results obtained in Santos-Dumont English Assessment will be informed to the pilot, exclusively by ANAC, by e-mail, within 30 (thirty) working days after the test day.
Candidates who reach the operational level (4) must undergo a new test after a period of three years. Those who reach the advanced level (5) must undergo a new test after a period of six years. A license holder with a language endorsement must schedule his/her revalidation according to the mentioned validity periods and allowing enough time to continue to be able to conduct international flights. For revalidation, the pilot must go to an accredited institution that offers the service and follow the procedures for registration and scheduling.
The purpose of the revalidation is to check whether the pilot has maintained the level of language proficiency required for international flights. It is important to emphasize that the level of language proficiency may be changed to a higher level, lower level or remain unchanged. The result of the latest revalidation shall prevail over any results previously obtained by the pilot, even if it was still valid on their licenses.
In any situation, pass or fail, candidates will only be able to take another SDEA test after:
- 30 (thirty) calendar days from the previous test; and
- Having received the result obtained in the previous test.
If the candidate disagrees with levels awarded, he/she must fill in the Score Review Request Form, print and sign it. The original document must be registered at ANAC or sent by mail within 30 (thirty) running days from the date the candidate receives the e-mail with the result.
Address:
National Civil Aviation Agency
Personnel Certification Branch
Language Proficiency Group
Av Presidente Vargas, nº 850 - 10º andar - Centro
CEP: 20071-001 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Important information
a) The candidate must arrive at the accredited institution at least 15 (fifteen) minutes before the scheduled starting time taking the SDEA Service Request Form already filled in but without the candidate’s signature. The form must be signed only when requested by the examiner at the beginning of the exam. The signature on the document must be the same as the ones on both the identification document and the SACI system;
b) The candidate must present his/her pilot's license and an original valid official identification document with a recent photo (preferably driver's license, passport or document with less than five years of issuance). The entity sends ANAC a digital file with a photocopy of the identification document presented.
c) The accredited institution takes a photo of the candidate before the test or at its beginning and sends it to ANAC.
d) The interview is in English and no other language is allowed;
e) It is forbidden to access the test room carrying any electronic equipment and other objects, such as mobile phones, tape recorders, tablets, notebooks, pens, watches, etc. Any action taken by the candidate during the language proficiency test that shows lack of integrity will lead to administrative measures described in the Brazilian Aeronautical Code (CBAer) and this action will not undermine or prevent the imposition of appropriate penalties by other competent authorities;
f) Candidates are allowed to take notes during Parts 2 and 3 of the test (“Interacting as a pilot” and “Unexpected Situations”). A sheet of paper and a pencil will be provided by the examiner and these paper sheets will be destroyed at the end of part 3 (“Unexpected Situations”).
Attention, candidate! Before taking the test, it is important to update your personal information on ANAC’s SACI database. Your photo must be recent and your signature must be identical to the signature on the official ID you present. Photos and signatures that do not follow Casa da Moeda do Brasil requirements may lead to a delay in the issuance of your licence or even to its denial.