The dissertation substantiates the theoretical and methodological principles of foreign language training in flight training institutions of the second half of the 20th ‒ beginning of the 21st century. The historiography and source base of the selected problem are analyzed. There were studied the peculiarities of the reorganization of professional foreign language training of future aviation specialists in aviation educational institutions of Ukraine in the middle of the 20th ‒ beginning of the 21st centuries. As a result of the implementation and justification of the periodization of the foreign language professional flight training development in Ukraine, the following historical periods were distinguished: foreign language training in the process of civil aviation flight education system development in the conditions of technical rearmament (1961‒1970); international cooperation and the role of foreign language training of future aviation specialists in the educational system of civil aviation (1971‒1984); foreign language training during the transformation of networks and structures of general and higher education, in particular aviation (1985‒1992); transition to generally accepted international standards and requirements for foreign language professional flight training during the independence of Ukraine (1993‒2007). The analysis of the issue of historical and pedagogical prerequisites for the birth of the aviation personnel training system was carried out in accordance with: 1) the development of scientific and technical progress in the field of aircraft construction and air passenger transportation at the beginning of the 20th century; 2) the emergence and formation of flight foreign language professional training in the context of historical conditions and factors that determined the need for aviation specialists to speak a foreign language, which include, first of all, international aviation cooperation and the country's entry into the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); 3) the development of regulatory and legal support for the functioning of higher flying institutions of civil aviation education and the implementation of flight foreign language professional training. It is proved that in the period under study, a search for a place for foreign language training as a component of the education system of aviation specialists is taking place: from its complete denial (at that time, aviation specialists did not use a foreign language as a professional language, which was due to the lack of international passenger transportation) to recognition of its obligation.
The organizational content, forms, and methods of foreign language training at flight schools in certain periods have been studied. The characteristic features of each period are outlined: I ‒ state recognition of the need to improve the state of learning and teaching a foreign language; ІІ ‒ intensification of the work of the scientific and pedagogical staff of flight education institutions in the process of drawing up training programs and publishing foreign language training manuals based on ICAO requirements; ІІІ ‒ implementation of professionally oriented training in aviation English, taking into account five types of speech activity; IV ‒ general standardization of the aviation English language learning process in accordance with ICAO requirements. Prospective opportunities for creative use of research results have been updated, which will effectively influence the state of professional foreign language training in aviation institutions of Ukraine and the level of foreign language proficiency of future aviation specialists.
It has been proven that, in accordance with each of the specified periods, there is: 1) a change in the attitude towards a foreign language, starting from the awareness of the need for a common language of communication in international civil aviation, the introduction of a legally established standard phraseology, as well as an increase in the requirements for the speaking skills and abilities of pilots to the recognition the need to refer it to the language that ensures the safe professional activity of aviation specialists; 2) change in methodical approaches to learning a foreign language ‒ conscious-practical, intensive, communicative, competence-based; 3) implementation of the competence approach - from the formation of foreign language communication skills to the formation of communicative competence as a component of the professional competence system of aviation specialists; 4) establishment of state standards for foreign language training of aviation specialists; 5) changing the requirements for the professional training of foreign language teachers.
Key words: vocational training, foreign language training, aviation English, aviation specialist.
