Symbiotics partner with Latitude

Symbiotics, the provider of ADAPT psychological assessments for aviation, have partnered with Latitude to provide a spoken English language assessment directly from Symbiotics' ADAPT platform.

Under the partnership, Latitude will provide the test design, content and assessment services to enable a candidate to undertake a spoken English assessment within ADAPT. Symbiotics have further developed ADAPT with new test delivery features including the ability for candidates to securely record their audio responses to questions and scenarios. The assessment will take around 25 minutes for the candidate to compete and will capture up to 11.5 minutes of speech for assessment by an experienced language rater.

The new assessment is now available to Symbiotics' existing clients who can include it within their ADAPT assessments for a smooth candidate experience and consolidated report.

Henry Emery, Managing Director of Latitude, comments:

Flight training is demanding for any student, especially for those who don't have English as a first language. While good language and communication skills open the door to successful selection and flight training, weaker language proficiency can prevent effective pilot aptitude assessment and can lead to a loss of training efficiency and costly disruption once flight training begins. Through our partnership with Symbiotics, we are delighted to help users of ADAPT manage the risks associated with language proficiency, and we look forward to supporting the Symbiotics team with robust measures of spoken English, adding value and enabling yet more confident selection and admissions decisions.

Symbiotics' Managing Director, Hannah Davies added:

We continue to listen to our clients and act to enhance their experience with ADAPT. Where students' native language is not English, clients tell us that they can struggle through the assessment process - not because of ability or aptitude but because of their level of English. Relying purely on comprehension tests for English testing can mean some students struggle with higher order thinking skills such as using language to compare and contrast or evaluate. We want to be able to help our clients best support students and ensure those who are accepted to flight schools are ready and equipped to manage the demands of the required interaction conducted in English throughout training. We recognise that the spoken component is the most important indication for our clients to provide a measure of a student's English ability and as such looked for a best in class solution which we could integrate into ADAPT to offer to clients, which we now can in partnership with Latitude.

For further information on Symbiotics' spoken language assessment, contact Symbiotics here.

Research with Georgia State University

In line with our mission to provide effective aviation English training to support aviation professionals in maintaining and improving on ICAO Level 4, Latitude is collaborating with Georgia State University to conduct research into the efficacy of Latitude’s Command programme for airline pilots. Led by GSU’s Dr Eric Friginal, the research project will focus on pilot fluency gains over a 24-week programme of blended e-learning and Virtual Instructor-Led Training through in-depth analysis of learner performance in Command’s picture description, discussion and simulated radiotelephony role play tasks. Latitude will use the results of research to inform the content, design and delivery of future Command programmes for individuals and airline customers.

University of Nebraska adopts the Foundation In-House Solution

We’re delighted to announce that the University of Nebraska at Kearney has adopted the Foundation In-House Solution for aviation English training for international student pilots. The University will use the combination of Foundation e-learning and the Teacher’s Pack alongside Checkpoint to provide a comprehensive programme of aviation English training and assessment to prepare students for successful English-medium flight training.

Leonardo Helicopters selects Checkpoint

We are pleased to have been selected by Leonardo to provide language assessment for personnel preparing for type training at Leonardo's facility in Yeovil, UK. Through the autumn, candidates will take Checkpoint, Latitude's web-based assessment of listening, reading and speaking along with a bespoke assessment of writing. Results will be used to determine readiness for professional aviation training, and to identify any remedial language training requirements before technical training begins. 

Airways College selects Foundation

We are pleased to welcome Airways College as a user of Foundation, Latitude’s e-learning for student pilots. Foundation develops the critical listening and reading skills and knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation necessary for successful flight training delivered in English. Foundation is used by students preparing for Airline Transport Pilot Licence training at the Airways College in Agen, France.

Emirates Flight Training Academy selects Checkpoint

We are pleased to welcome Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) as a user of Checkpoint, Latitude's web-based assessment of language proficiency for successful ab-initio aviation training. EFTA uses Checkpoint for the selection and admission of international students to its flight training programmes in Dubai, UAE.

Japan Airlines selects Latitude for aviation English training

We're delighted to announce that Japan Airlines (JAL) has selected Latitude to provide a 3-year programme of language proficiency training courses for line pilots. Latitude has tailored its Command product to JAL's specific requirements to create a blended learning solution comprising web-based e-learning and virtual instructor-led sessions.

Command is designed to develop oral language proficiency for safe and efficient radiotelephony communications. The flexible nature of Command allows JAL pilots to complete self-study and instructor-led sessions with Latitude’s team of aviation English professionals wherever they are in the world. Line pilots choose training sessions to suit their personal lives and flying rosters. This makes Command convenient for individuals without disrupting flight operations. Training began in December 2018.

CAE selects Latitude

We are very proud to announce a five-year agreement with CAE to supply aviation English language assessment and training services for pilot cadets. In order to support CAE’s global airline pilot training programmes, Latitude will provide Checkpoint, a computer-based language assessment for student selection and admissions, and blended aviation English e-learning and Virtual Instructor-Led Mentoring programmes designed specifically to prepare international students for the rigours of professional flight training delivered in English.

Latitude’s partnership with CAE highlights our commitment both to helping the industry to overcome the global pilot shortage and to enabling the world’s next generation to successfully achieve a career as an airline pilot.

INAC Bolivia chooses Foundation

We are pleased to welcome Bolivia’s Instituto Nacional de Aeronautica Civil as a user of  Foundation, Latitude's e-learning designed to prepare students for successful aviation training.