# 2016-020 - Pilot, Training Failure

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2016–11–17

The grievor was contesting his failure of the flight training course, alleging that it was due to his lack of proficiency in his second language, English, which the course was given in. He asked that he be allowed to retake the course following further language training and that when he retakes it, he be provided with French versions of the course materials to help him understand and assimilate the course material.

The Commander of the 2nd Canadian Air Division, acting as the Initial Authority, rejected the grievance on the grounds that the grievor was provided with training, performance evaluations and language assistance in accordance with the established policies.

Recognizing that English is the language of instruction for advanced flight training owing to international standards, the Committee found shortcomings in the language assistance provided to the grievor that were not in line with the Canadian Armed Forces' policies in that regard and contributed to his academic difficulties. The Committee was also of the opinion that the required level of proficiency in English as a second language is not high enough for Francophone candidates to have an equal chance of success compared to Anglophone candidates.

The Committee recommended that the grievor be authorized to retake the flight training once he has acquired the necessary language skills to take the course given in his second language. Regarding the course material, the Committee recommended that, in accordance with the policies in effect, French and English versions of equal quality be offered to the students.

FA Decision Summary

FA Decision Pending