Canadian pilots who hold Private, Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot licences in the aeroplane category can convert those licences into FAA Certificates with greater ease than was possible in the past. Similarly, American pilots who hold equivalent aeroplane pilot certificates can now convert those certificates into Canadian licences with greater ease because of an agreement between US and Canadian aviation licensing authorities. This agreement applies to aeroplane pilot licences, instrument ratings and aeroplane type ratings.

The agreement signed by U.S. and Canadian officials can be found at the following:  http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/personnel/USConversion/menu.htm

Further information is available in the following Advisory Circular and Staff Instruction: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/general/circulars/gaac0601.htm and http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/general/StaffInstructions/401-001.htm.

Pilots wishing to take advantage of this conversion opportunity to obtain a Canadian pilot licence or rating need to follow these steps:

• First -- undergo a medical examination with a Canadian Civil Aviation Medical Examiner.  This website (http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/applications/cam/en/camsearch.asp?x_lang=e ) will help you can locate a medical examiner near you.
• Next -- once you receive your Canadian Medical Certificate and licensing file number, you can forward to your nearest General Aviation Licensing office the Application for Verification and Conversion of an FAA Pilot Certificate form: APPLICATION FOR VERIFICATION AND CONVERSION OF AN FAA PILOT CERTIFICATE

When we receive this application, we will confirm with the FAA details of your US certificate so we can proceed with issuing your licence or ratings based on this conversion process.

While we're confirming your certificate status with the FAA, you need to prepare for the applicable examinations.  These Study and Reference Guides will help in that process: Study and Reference Guides

Once you are ready to take the examination, you should contact the General Aviation Licensing office nearest to you to make arrangements to take the examinations.  When you are speaking with our Licensing specialists, they will be able to outline the additional steps you will need to take to complete the process.