Aleix
Nikki Jane 
Beach-side dreams to ICAO Level 6
From Beach-Side Dreams to ICAO Level 6
A Firefighting Pilot's Journey
Meet Aleix, the firefighting pilot who never imagined he'd achieve ICAO Level 6 in English. His story begins on a Spanish beach near Barcelona, watching banner aircraft advertising summer holidays, and culminates in the cockpit of an Air Tractor AT802, where he now confidently tackles international firefighting operations in English.
When he's not fighting fires, you might find him pursuing his long-time hobby of glider flying, which he started even before his professional flying career - a testament to his enduring passion for aviation in all its forms.
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A Dream Takes Flight
"I didn't want to work in a flying office," Aleix says with a smile, explaining his decision to choose firefighting over airline operations. Those banner planes soaring over his family's beach apartment had planted a seed - a dream of dynamic, purposeful flying that would eventually lead him to aerial firefighting. Unlike many pilots who dream of commanding commercial airliners, Aleix was drawn to the challenging and dynamic world of firefighting aviation, where every day brings new challenges and no two missions are quite the same.
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Early Days and English Challenges
Like many Spanish pilots of his generation, Aleix's early relationship with English was complicated. At school, he studied Spanish, Catalan, and French, but English wasn't part of his curriculum. It wasn't until age 17 that he first stepped into an English academy after school hours. Being the youngest in his class during total immersion training proved challenging, and his experiences were mixed. Some academies provided excellent instruction, while others left much to be desired - particularly one where students had to speak with a computer, an experience Aleix describes as "awful."
His journey with English language learning continued with government-organised classes (‘Escuela Oficial de Idiomas’ in Spanish), but these proved disappointing when he discovered his English level sometimes exceeded that of his teachers!. Despite these early setbacks, Aleix persevered, knowing that English would eventually become essential in his aviation career.
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The Journey to Professional Flying
When Aleix first began his career as a firefighting pilot, operating solely within Spain meant English wasn't a necessity. He achieved his first ICAO Level 4 certification about ten years ago, maintaining this level through regular retesting every four years. However, everything changed when he began flying internationally about five years ago.
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The Real-World Challenge
His first international posting was in Cyprus in 2020. Despite having decent English skills, he had never studied radiotelephony (RT) in English. The British military air traffic controllers at the Cyprus base proved particularly challenging - they spoke rapidly, often deviating from standard RT, and delivered long, complex instructions without sufficient breaks.
"Sometimes I could only catch about 50% of what they said," Aleix recalls. "They spoke as if they were talking to a friend, not considering non-native pilots." This challenge was compounded by the need to coordinate with ground crews who didn't speak English, requiring the use of observers who acted as translators. While essential for safety, this additional layer of communication significantly slowed down operations.
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The Daily Life of a Firefighting Pilot
Flying the Air Tractor AT802 demands exceptional skill and concentration. "The most challenging thing about being a firefighting pilot is managing not only the aircraft but being aware of everything around - terrain, power lines, helicopters, other aircraft…,” Aleix explains. This spatial awareness becomes even more critical in international operations, where communication challenges can add another layer of complexity.
A typical day can involve lots of waiting, something Aleix initially found frustrating. "In the beginning, I felt useless during the waiting periods," he admits. "But now I use this time productively, often for studying." When a call comes, everything changes - pilots must be airborne within minutes, coordinating with ground crews and other aircraft while making repeated runs between the fire site and airstrip until the fire is contained.
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The Path to Level 6
Recognising the need to improve his aviation English, Aleix made a strategic decision. Rather than attending a general English academy, he sought specialised aviation English training through my Bespoke classes. "I didn't want to study lots of grammar or vocabulary that wasn't relevant to me," he explains. "I needed to focus on aviation-specific language and just practice speaking and listening skills." The one-to-one nature of Bespoke training allowed us to focus precisely on his needs, particularly the challenges he faced with British controllers in Cyprus.
This focused approach paid off. Over time, he noticed significant improvements, particularly in his fluency and pronunciation. However, the most marked improvement came in his listening skills - essential for understanding those rapid-fire instructions from air traffic controllers. In January 2025, Aleix achieved something he never thought possible - ICAO Level 6. "My goal was to get a Level 5," he shares, still beaming with pride. "I never imagined I would reach Level 6!"
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Looking Forward
Despite the irregular working schedule - never knowing his timetable from one month to the next - Aleix loves his career. "If I could go back in time, I would do it all over again," he says. "Perhaps I'd start learning English earlier, but that's the only thing I'd change."
Now, with Level 6 under his belt, Aleix isn't resting on his laurels. He plans to continue his English studies to maintain his level and is looking to start aviation French lessons, adding another dimension to his professional capabilities.
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Advice for Other Pilots
To pilots facing similar language challenges, Aleix's advice is clear: seek out one-to-one classes with an English teacher who specialises in aviation. "I wouldn't have improved in the areas where I really needed it if I had studied with a general English teacher," he reflects. His journey from struggling with English to achieving the highest possible ICAO level proves that with the right approach and dedication, any aviation professional can overcome language barriers.
From those early days watching banner planes on the beach to achieving the highest possible level in aviation English, Aleix's journey shows what's possible with determination, the right approach, and specialised training. His story isn't just about learning a language - it's about pursuing excellence in every aspect of aviation, one challenge at a time.
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Bespoke Aviation English classes
Are you ready to start your own success story? Like Aleix, you can transform your aviation English capabilities through personalised attention. My Bespoke classes offer one-to-one training tailored specifically to your needs as an aviation professional. Visit my website to learn more about how Bespoke training could help you achieve your ICAO goals.
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Categories: : Student Stories