Converting FAA Cert to Canadian Cert
 

Greetings,

Perhaps someone can answer this for me. If I convert my FAA commercial certificate and instrument rating to a Canadian commercial certificate and instrument rating, do I lose my FAA certificates? I would assume I wouldn't.

I know the local FSDO would be able to answer this, but has anyone actually done it? Thanks!

I'm not even allowed to fly into that damn country anymore. :mad::mad:

Not sure as to what you are referring to when you say "convert" many of the countries that are in ICAO (in this case the US and Canada) have an agreement of validation of licenses that usually involves less paperwork, exams and you get a validation of the license, they are based on your original license of the issuing country and you have to have that license valid to be able to operate with the validation, now, there is another procedure (and I recommend that you do so) that is to take all the required tests (some might be credited based on your previous certificate) and use the experience that you have already acquired to get an independent license so that you have two certificates instead of a validation based on one certificate. You will not lose your FAA certificate when you obtain a certificate from another CAA, I have three different ICAO licenses independent from each other.

The US (FAA) and Canada (Transport Canada) have an agreement to issue certificates/licenses based on the other countries certificates/licenses. On the FAA side, you don't get a 61.75 certificate and you can get it at the commercial or ATP level. The TC AC for going from FAA to TC is here

Advisory Circular (AC) No. 401-001 - Transport Canada

First step is gettting a Canadian medical.

Here's a thread ... http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fo...onversion.html

There's some discussion on Pprune as well, but you'll have to dig it out from several FAA/JAA threads.

The consensus, at least for FAA to Canada, is that the process is straightforward. Now that it's been going on for a few years there are some good written exam preps. Somebody on the AOPA forum did his in Vancouver and spoke well of the office. I'll do it myself eventually. One gotcha is that the agreement is for f/w certificates only, for some reason.

No, you will both countries CPL with IR. You need to get a Canadian medical first; you will not be issued the medical on the spot, it will be mailed from Ottawa. Then, there is a basic written aimed at the differences. There are several on line preps, but there is NO question bank like the FAA writtens. Pass the test and for a Commercial, you might be done. For the ATPL with type, you need to do a recurrent in type within thirty and do a instrument check in type. You might need a IR check, now I think of it. Lastly, you will be mailed a temp certificate followed by an impressive passport-like book to record your recurrents, medical and other entries. Also, you will need to take an written exam for the radio license, not too bad. One problem, at for me, was exams are only offered at a TC office or test proctor in Canada. A bit bureaucratic, but not a big deal.

GF

I don't know if you are planning to convert Commercial or ATP. I have no experience for ATP but I just got a Canadian CPL based on FAA Commercial about 3 weeks ago.

The FAA to TC (Transport Canada) is a very easy process, our northern neighbours may sound a little beauraucratic initially but once you go there, they are very friendly & accomodating.

You will not lose your FAA at all......

I went to Vancouver BC office, So I can tell you all about it. Toronto should be similar...

1) 1st step: Get a medical done by any transport canada approved Doctor.

Civil Aviation Medical Examiners (CAME) - Search

It will take approx 3-4 weeks to get the Medical back in your hand from Ottawa. A couple of couteous phone calls may shave off 2 weeks.

2) An appt with any transport canada Licencing office, you can even walk in but an appt is better.

3) Study for the FAATC exam. You are basically tested only on the differences between FAA & Canadian Air Regs...... Believe me when I say this, there are quite a few differences, including the airspace as well....

PilotTraining.ca > Ground School Courses

This website pilot training dot CA is the best $75 or $100 spent......

4) RT exam can be taken by any INDUSTRY CANADA examiner. Examiners are usually on the staff for most flying schools or you can choose one on the website. Most charge anyweher from $50 to $100.

Download the PDF guide from the Industry Canada website
RIC-21 - Study Guide for the Restricted Operator Certificate With Aeronautical Qualification (ROC-A) - Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

Test is very basic, common sense stuff....

If planned right, the whole process can all be done in 1 day or 2 at the most....

Any more doubts, pls feel free to ask. I have got a lot of good advise here, so I am always open to return the favour with whatever I can.....

Good info above and spot on. I went through the conversion process for FAA ATP to TC ATPL. Get your medical first, I simply took my medical with my same FAA AME that I always have and mailed an original signed duplicate into the TC Medical office for review and acceptance (with application). The difference being I had to get an ECG and Audiogram along with it being the first time and my age. Secondly, study the differences and take the test. For the ATPL it was a 20 question test that you had to take at a TC office. Lastly you will need the Radio Licence, which is done separately from TC and is administered under Industry Canada, not unlike the FAA and FCC.

If you get a FAA 61.57(d) IPC endorsement it is accepted for your TC IR requirement under the same Conversion Agreement between the FAA and TC, which is the document everyone you speak to will refer to. Here is the excerpt:
(3) Pilots holding a TCCA pilot licence with an instrument rating converted from a FAA certificate with an instrument rating may also meet the requirements of CAR 421.49 [Renewal of Instrument Rating] by having passed an FAA instrument proficiency check [14 CFR - §61.57 (d)] within the previous 24 months in an airplane or an approved flight simulation device.

You will get a sticker in the mail to put in your original Aviation Document Booklet when you get additional medicals, ratings, or IR renewals. You will not lose your FAA certs and the two are completely independent of each other. The Toronto office had the best knowledge of this conversion agreement and could answer every question, so contact them directly in my opinion.

Here is the link where you will need to begin the entire process: Conversion agreement between U.S. and Canadian officials - Transport Canada
Here is a link to the Conversion Agreement Appendix, in table user friendly format:Conversion between U.S. and Canadian Pilot Licences - Transport Canada

Also you will need to learn how to spell "licence" and what it means to "sit" an exam. Just kidding, having fun.

:)

Yes, in "British" English, spoken in Canada, there is a difference between "licence" and "license". Down here we've merged the meanings into the one word, "license".

Sometimes the term "write" the exam is used.

Is the audiogram required in Canada, or just administered by this particular AME? My hearing meets aviation requirements, but I don't need one more doctor telling me my HF hearing is ****ed up. I already know. :(

I did this a couple of years ago. Have a CDN ATP now. basically the info posted above is spot on. Test was easy, but had no study guides available . No sheppard-air style, old fasioned study the big book kind..