**NEW**
FAA Conversion is now drastically easier and faster. In short if you have a FAA licence you have to get a Canadian Medical, and complete a conversion exam and then you’ll have a Canadian Licence. Details can be found here.

On the flip side, Harv’s Air can now offer FAA licence with a minimal conversion process!

This text was modified from the Transport Canada website . We’ve added some explanations, cost, and further information about the conversion procedures.

A foreign pilot must meet the medical fitness, knowledge, experience and skill requirements as stated in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Transport Canada will grant credits to foreign pilot licence holders providing the foreign licence is medically valid, and originates from a country that is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Provided that the foreign applicant meets the applicable experience requirements, the holder of a Commercial or higher type pilot licence in the aeroplane category, issued by a Contracting State of ICAO, shall be deemed to have met the ground school instruction requirement.

Transport Canada does not grant any credits to holders of foreign military licences, however an applicant’s military flight experience will
be recognized and considered on an individual basis. It would be advantageous for foreign applicants to convert their military licence to a civilian licence, of their home country before making application for a Canadian pilot licence. A foreign pilot licence holder should be able to provide Transport Canada with a log book for review and an assessment of the applicant’s flight experience.

If you are planning on flying with us, we’ll help guide your licence conversion through Transport Canada’s system, Just email to start the process. Click the following licence and ratings for more information on how to convert a foreign pilot licence to a Canadian Pilot licence.

• Private Pilot Licence
• Commercial Pilot Licence
• Multi
• IFR
• Instructor
• ATPL

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Private Pilot Licence There are 3 options for converting the Private pilot licence:

• Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC)
• Limited Term Private Pilot Licence (LTPL or LTPL/MC)
• Private Pilot licence (PPL)

Recreational Flying in Canada: Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC)

A foreign pilot licence of a visitor whose residence is outside Canada may be validated for private recreational purposes. The foreign pilot licence must be valid under the law of the issuing state and valid for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose. An applicant should apply for a Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC) before arriving in Canada.

The FLVC will be issued for a period of one year at which time the applicant may choose to renew it, or apply for a permanent Canadian Pilot Licence. The applicant may fax a copy of their pilot licence and their valid Medical Certificate to one of Transport Canada’s Regional offices. There is a licensing fee of $45 Cdn. applicable that may be paid by a certified cheque, money order or credit card number, (the cheque should be made payable to ("The Receiver General for Canada").

Limited Term Private Pilot Licence (LTPL or LTPL/MC)

As a result of the increasing numbers of pilots coming to Canada each year to train for and receive additional licence privileges, Transport Canada will now issue a Limited Term Pilot Licence and Medical Certificate (LTPL/MC) or Limited Term Pilot Licence (LTPL). The LTPL/MC is based on a valid foreign pilot licence and the medical document validating that licence. The LTPL is based on a valid foreign pilot licence. As a result this will permit foreign pilot licence holders to fly Canadian registered aircraft internationally for private recreational purposes. The holder of this LTPL/MC or LTPL may act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of any aircraft for the sole purpose of his or her own flight training or flight test. This document may also be endorsed with additional ratings The following conditions are applicable for the issue of a LTPL/MC.

a) The foreign licence must have been issued by a Contracting State of ICAO and be valid under the law of the issuing state for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.

b) The foreign Medical Certificate must be valid in accordance with Canadian medical standards. (For example: In the case of a pilot who is under 40 years of age, a LTPL/MC shall not be issued if more than 24 months has lapsed since the date of the last medical exam. In the case of a pilot who is 40 years of age or older, no more than 12 months shall have lapsed since the last medical examination.)

c) The LTPL/MC validity period shall not exceed 90 days. d) A LTPL/MC may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period. e) There will be a licensing fee of $45 Cdn. for this document. f) There is no requirement for a written examination. g) The LTPL/MC may be endorsed for additional privileges if the required conditions are met.

The following conditions are applicable for the issue of a LTPL.

a) The foreign licence must have been issued by a Contracting State of ICAO and be valid under the law of the issuing state for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.

b) A Canadian medical conducted by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) and assessed fit in the appropriate category by a Transport Canada Medical Advisor may validate an LTPL.

c) The LTPL validity period shall not exceed 90 days.

d) A LTPL may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period.

e) There will be a licensing fee of $25 Cdn. for this document.

f) There is no requirement for a written examination.

g) The LTPL may be endorsed for additional privileges if the required conditions are met.

Private Pilot Licence Issued On the Basis of Foreign Licence

Candidates who want a long term Canadian Private Pilot licence are advised to convert to a full Canadian licence. An applicant who is the holder of a Private Pilot Licence issued by another country shall be considered to have met the ground school, written examination, and the flight test provided that

• Obtained a Canadian Class III medical or higher
• Candidate has obtained 90% in the written examination PSTAR. Use the online course at www.aviationspot.com
• Completed 5 take-offs and 5 landings within the 6 months preceding the date of application
• Has at least 45 hours total flight time, 12 hours solo, 5 hours instrument 3 hours dual cross country, and 5 hours solo cross country.

Once completing the above the candidate will be issued a licence stating it is based on a foreign licence, to remove this statement the Private Pilot written examination must be complete.

Commercial Pilot Licence

To obtain a Canadian CPL -A, the following requirements must be met:

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30 ) 1. Complete the medical examination requirements in accordance with the Medical Standards for Civil Aviation Personnel Licensing and be in possession of a Category 1 Medical Certificate. This cost about $100, for a listing of doctors go to: http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/cam/CamSearch.asp

2. Proof that the experience requirement is met. (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30, Para (4)). An applicant should be able to provide Transport Canada with a log book of their flight experience for review.

3. Meet the knowledge requirements by successfully completing the following written examination: CPAER This exam cost $105 to write, study guides and books are about $150, ground school [optional] cost about $400, the best option is online ground school (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30, Para (3)).

4 .Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a practical Flight Test. Flight test cost $200 + the airplane rental. The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates. (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30, Para (5)).

5. Complete the standard administrative requirements such as submitting proof of foreign citizenship and age, provide the foreign licence and log book for evaluation, submit a licence application form and pay the appropriate fee. (This is conducted at a transport Canada office) $55 fee. With a pilot who is current and proficient, the above will take 1 week. For people wishing to immigrate or work in Canada, contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Multi Rating

To obtain a Canadian Multi-Engine Rating, the following requirement must be met: An applicant wishing to obtain a Multi-Engine Rating, to be endorsed on the CPL-A, must meet the requirements set out in the CARs (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division X, Section 421.38, Section (3))

If you have 50 hours Pilot-in-Command on multi-engine aeroplanes or have met the standard of the State that issued the rating, in the preceding 12 months (based upon date of application), then Transport Canada may issue your Canadian Multi-Engine Rating based upon your current Multi-Engine Rating.

However, if an applicant is unable to satisfy these requirements, they must demonstrate their skill through the successful completion of a practical flight test. Flight test cost $200 + the airplane rental. The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates. $30 fee. With a pilot who is current and proficient, the above will take 2-3 days.

Instrument Rating

To obtain a Canadian Instrument Rating, the following requirement must be met: An applicant wishing to obtain an Instrument Rating, to be endorsed on the CPL-A, must meet the knowledge and skill requirements set out in the CARs by successfully completing the written examination (INRAT), and successfully completing a flight test. (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division XIV, Section 421.46)

INRAT written exam cost $35 to write, study guides and books are about $150, ground school [optional] cost about $400, the best option is online ground school . Flight test cost $200 + the airplane rental.

The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates. $30 fee. With a pilot who is current and proficient, the above will take 1 week.

Flight Instructor Rating

There is no conversion for a flight instructor rating. To convert, the entire flight instructor course must be completed.

Airline Transport Pilot Licence

To obtain a Canadian (ATPL-A), the following requirements must be met:

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34) 1. Complete the medical examination requirements in accordance with the Medical Standards for Civil Aviation Personnel Licensing and be in possession of a Category 1 Medical Certificate. Cost about $100, for a listing of doctors go to: http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/cam/CamSearch.asp 2. Proof that the experience requirement is met.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34, Para (4)).

An applicant should be able to provide Transport Canada with a log book of their flight experience for review. 3. Meet the knowledge requirements by successfully completing the following written examinations: SAMRA, SARON and INRAT.(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34, Para (3)).Exam cost $105 to write (total of $315), study guides and books are about $200, ground school [optional] cost about $400.

4. Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a Flight Test.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34, Para (5)).

An applicant for an ATPL-A shall successfully complete a flight test in a multi-engine aeroplane (excluding centre-line thrust) which is suitably equipped for IFR flight in controlled airspace. Flight test cost $200 + the airplane rental. The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates.

5. Complete the standard administrative requirements such as submitting proof of foreign citizenship and age, provide the foreign licence and log book for evaluation, submit a licence application form and pay the appropriate fee. $105 fee. With a pilot who is current and proficient the above will take 1 week. For people wishing to immigrate or work in Canada, contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada.