Foreign Pilot license Conversion in Canada
This guide is meant to only help you get an idea on the conversion process, please contact and refer to Transport Canada Official website for the official details.
Helpful Resources
- FAA to TCCA: Advisory Circular (AC) No. 401-001
- ICAO to TCCA: Licensing for foreign pilots
- TCCA Contacts: Civil aviation contacts and offices
Credit for foreign training and skills
We will grant credits to foreign pilot license holders if the foreign license:
is medically valid, and comes from a country that is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) : List of ICAO registered countries MEMBER STATES
You will meet the ground school instruction requirement if you:
hold a commercial or higher type of pilot license in the aeroplane category, which was issued by an ICAO contracting state, and
meet applicable experience requirements
FAA to TCCA
To convert your FAA license you must :
- Obtained a Canadian aviation medical.
- Write the FAA conversion exam at transport Canada.
- Submit all required documentation
ICAO PPL Conversion
To Convert your ICAO PPL to a Canadian PPL you must:
- Obtained a Canadian Class 3 medical or higher. Civil Aviation Medical Examiners
- Score 90% in the written examination PSTAR.
- Have 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 time, 3 hours dual cross country, and 5 hours solo cross country.
- Completed a Aviation-Language Proficiency Test (Canadian or ICAO is acceptable)
- Once the above has been completed, the candidate will be issued a licence indicating that the licesne is based on your foreign licence, to remove this statement from your licence, you must complete a Private Pilot written examination and flight test.
ICAO CPL Conversion
- Obtained a Canadian Class 1 medical. Civil Aviation Medical Examiners
- Have the CPL experience requirement met underCARs Standard 421, section 421.30, para. (4) Standard 421 – Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings – Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
- Meet the knowledge requirement, successfully complete the Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (CPAER)
- Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a practical CPL flight test.
- Complete and submit your licence application.
- Submit proof of foreign citizenship and age
- Provide your foreign licence and log book for evaluation
Multi-Engine
Transport Canada may issue you a multi-engine rating based upon your current rating if you fulfill one of the following:
- you have 50 hours of experience as pilot-in-command on multi-engine aeroplanes during the 12 months preceding the date of application for the rating, or
- you met the prescribed standards, of the State concerned, for issue of a multi-engine class rating during the 12 months preceding the date of application for the rating.
- If you cannot meet these requirements, you must successfully complete a practical flight test.
Instrument Rating
To obtain an instrument rating endorsed on the CPL-A, you must meet the knowledge and skill requirements set out in CARs Standard 421, section 421.46 by successfully completing:
- The Instrument Rating (INRAT) written examination
- A flight test
Instrument Rating
To successfully earn a Canadian ATPL-A, you must:
- Obtained a Canadian Class 1 medical. Civil Aviation Medical Examiners.
- Provide proof that you meet the experience requirement. Be prepared to show your log book of your flight experience for our review. Read CARs Standard 421, section 421.34, para. (4) to learn more.
- To meet the knowledge requirements, successfully complete the following written examinations:
- Meteorology, Radio Aids to Navigation and Flight Planning (SAMRA)
- Aviation Regulations and Air Traffic Procedures, Aeroplane Operations and General Navigation (SARON)
- Instrument Rating (INRAT)
- Read CARs Standard 421, section 421.34, para. (3) to learn more.
- Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a flight test in a multi-engine aeroplane (excluding centre-line thrust) suitably equipped for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight in controlled airspace.
- Complete your licence application.
- Submit proof of foreign citizenship and age
- Provide your foreign licence and log book for evaluation
