Definition
An FAA Advisory Circular that sets out the English language proficiency standards a person must meet to be issued a pilot, flight instructor, ground instructor, or other airman certificate under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, and 65. It defines the levels of speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English that an applicant must demonstrate, and gives guidance to instructors and examiners on how to evaluate that proficiency.
Plain English
It is an official FAA document that explains how well someone must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English before they can earn a pilot or instructor certificate.
Context Anchor
Seen in instructor training material when discussing communication problems caused by students and instructors not sharing the same language background or experience.
Derivation
AC stands for Advisory Circular, which is the FAA's standard format for non-regulatory guidance. The number 60-28 identifies the subject series (60 covers airmen) and the specific circular within that series.
Why Pilots Care
English is the international language of aviation, and an instructor must be able to recognize when a student's English skills are not yet at the standard required for safe flight operations and certification. AC 60-28 gives instructors and examiners a common reference for making that judgment.
Intuition Check
Do not read “AC” here as air conditioning or electrical current. In this context, AC means Advisory Circular, and AC 60-28 is guidance from the FAA, not the regulation itself.
Example Sentence 1
Before signing the student off for the practical test, the instructor reviewed AC 60-28 to confirm the applicant met the English language standards.
Example Sentence 2
AC 60-28 emphasizes the importance of establishing common ground before introducing new concepts.