Conversion of FAA Pilot Certificates

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose
1.2 Applicability
1.3 Description of Changes

2.0 References and Requirements

2.1 Reference Documents
2.2 Cancelled Documents
2.3 Definitions and Abbreviations

3.0 Background

4.0 Processing Applications for Conversion of FAA Certificates and ratings

4.1 Preliminary Actions by the Applicant
4.2 Interim Actions by Transport Canada Licensing Staff
4.3 Issue of the Licence

5.0 General Requirements for all Licences and Ratings

6.0 Requirements for Specific Licences and Ratings

6.1 Private Pilot – Aeroplane
6.2 Commercial Pilot – Aeroplane
6.3 Airline Transport Pilot – Aeroplane
6.4 Instrument Rating – Aeroplane
6.5 VFR Over-the-Top Rating- Aeroplane
6.6 Type Rating – Aeroplane
6.7 Multi-Engine Class Rating – Aeroplane

7.0 Refusal to Issue

8.0 Contact Office

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

This Staff Instruction describes the procedures to be followed by Transport Canada’s Licensing staff when issuing Canadian pilot licences or ratings using the procedures established under the Implementation Procedures for Licensing(IPL) agreement with the FAA.  In and of itself, this Staff Instruction does not change, create, amend or permit deviations from regulatory requirements nor does it establish minimum standards.

1.2 Applicability

This document is applicable to Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Headquarters and Regional personnel, including delegates.

1.3 Description of Changes

This Staff instruction updates the previous version by clarifying requirements regarding the Instrument Proficiency Check for converting an Instrument Rating.

2.0 References and Requirements

2.1 Reference Documents

It is intended that the following reference materials be used in conjunction with this document:

(a) Part IV Subpart 1 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR)—Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings;

(b) Regulatory Exemptions issued in support of the licence conversion process;

(c) Transport Canada form number 26-0702 version (0610-01)—Application for Verification and Conversion of an FAA Pilot Certificate;

(d) Advisory Circular (AC) 401-001—Conversion of Flight Crew Licences/Certificates Between Canada and the United States;

(e) Transport Publication (TP) 12880, dated 11/2006—Study and Reference Guide - Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplane;

(f) Transport Publication (TP) 12881, dated 10/2006—Study and Reference Guide – Commercial Pilot Licence-Aeroplane;

(g) Transport Publication (TP) 690, dated 10/2004—Study and Reference Guide-Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane;

(h) Transport Publication (TP) 691E, dated 10/2006—Study and Reference Guide-Instrument Rating;

(i) Transport Publication (TP) 13014, dated 09/2000—Sample Examination-Recreational Pilot Permit and Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplane;

(j) Transport Publication (TP) 14371, dated 10/2006— Aeronautical Information Manual;

(k) Transport Publication (TP) 2943E, dated 05/2006—Personnel Licensing Procedures Manual, 6th Edition;

(l) Transport Canada RDIMS Document No. 1998098-V1—Implementation Procedures for Licensing;

(m) Transport Canada RDIMS Document No. 2090572-V2—FAA Certificate Conversion Checklist; (en français 2090585)

(n) Transport Canada RDIMS Document No. 2091401-V1—Email format for FAA Verification Request. 

(o) Transport Canada RDIMS Document No.2107278-V1—DAPLS Version 3.5 Release Notes

2.2 Cancelled Documents

As of the effective date of this document, the following document is cancelled:

(a) Staff instruction (SI) 401-001 issue 04 dated 2007-09-17 Conversion of FAA Pilot certificates

2.3 Definitions and Abbreviations

The following definitions and abbreviations are used in this document:

(a) 14 CFR means the Federal Aviation Regulations, contained in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

(b) Pilot certificate and licence conversion means the issuance of a TCCA pilot’s licence on the basis of a pilot’s certificate issued by the FAA or the issuance of a FAA pilot’s certificate on the basis of a TCCA pilot’s licence. 

(c) Special Conditions are those additional requirements each Authority has determined are necessary for conversion of the other’s pilot certificates or licences.  Special Conditions are set forth in Chapter III of the Implementation Procedures.

(d) Valid pilot licence or pilot certificatemeans, in the case of a US certificate or rating, a licence or certificate that is not under an order of revocation, cancellation or suspension, and, in the case of a Canadian licence or rating, one that has not expired.

3.0 Background

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) have established procedures for issuing aeroplane pilot licences or certificates and ratings on the basis of a certificate or licence issued by the other authority.  The Implementation Procedures for Licensing (IPL) agreement was signed 31 August 2006 under the provisions of the Agreement for the Promotion of Aviation Safety between the Government of the United States and the Government of Canada dated 12 June 2000.  The IPL pursues the goal of mutual cooperation between the FAA and Transport Canada in evaluating and accepting each other’s systems and standards for the issuance of certificates and licences. This Staff Instruction provides direction in the application of the Conditions of Conversion that appear as an appendix to the IPL.

4.0 Processing Applications for Conversion of FAA Certificates and ratings

Licensing staff should use FAA Certificate Conversion Checklist (RDIMS #2090572) to guide and record the conversion work.  Individual check sheets for each application to convert a licence or rating must be saved in RDIMS, using the applicant’s 5802-file number.

4.1 Preliminary Actions by the Applicant

(1) The applicant must be issued with a Canadian Medical Certificate in the category appropriate to the Canadian licence applied for.  Aside from providing evidence of meeting the required medical standard, the Medical Certificate will indicate the 5802-file number to which all subsequent documents and information can be referenced. Applicants should complete the medical requirements and obtain a Medical Certificate before submitting the application form and before attempting the written examination.

(2) The applicant must submit to a Transport Canada Regional licensing office an Application for Verification and Conversion of an FAA Pilot Certificate form (26-0702).

(3) The applicant must complete the written examination(s) required for the licences or ratings sought.

4.2 Interim Actions by Transport Canada Licensing Staff

(1) Licensing staff must confirm that the US certificate has NOT been issued on the basis of another foreign licence.

(2) Upon receipt of the Application for Verification and Conversion of an FAA Pilot Certificate form, licensing staff should review the form for completeness and confirm that the information submitted supports the application.  Licensing staff should inform the applicant of any additional information or documentation that will be required.

(3) Licensing staff should submit to the FAA a request for verification in the format outlined in document entitled “Email format for FAA Verification Request – Conversion program” RDIMS # 2091401.  The request must be sent by e-mail from a Transport Canada e-mail account and sent to the e-mail address listed in the above-noted document.

(4) The request for verification must include the fax number of the Transport Canada licensing office requesting the verification.  Although e-mail must to be used to request verification, the FAA can only provide the information by fax.

4.3 Issue of the Licence

(1) Upon receipt of Verification of Authenticity from the FAA, licensing staff must confirm the accuracy of certificate information presented by the applicant.

(2) Licensing staff members must confirm that the requirements specified in the Annex to the IPL (and listed in section 5 below) have all been satisfied.

(3) Standard procedures for the issuance of licences and ratings will be followed.

(4) Licences issued through the conversion process must NOT bear the annotation “Issued on the basis of…” the US certificate.

(5) Specific information about the entry of data into DAPLS can be found in DAPLS Version 3.5 Release Notes (RDIMS # 2107278), page 2 under “Foreign Licence Conversion Program”.

5.0 General Requirements for all Licences and Ratings

(1) The opportunity to convert FAA certificates and ratings is limited to certificates in the aeroplane category that are not endorsed “Issued on the basis of…” another foreign licence.  All applicants for a Canadian licence or rating must:

(a) be able to communicate in English or French

(b) hold a Canadian medical certificate in the appropriate category

(c) be at least the age specified in the applicable standard

(2) FAA licences presented for conversion must include landplane privileges; Canadian licences issued through this process will bear a landplane class rating.  Seaplane class ratings cannot be issued through the conversion process.

(3) No flight test is required for applicants obtaining a Canadian licence or rating through this conversion process.

(4) Before exercising the privileges of a Canadian licence or rating obtained through this conversion process, the holder must meet the recency requirements of CAR 401.05 and 421.05.

(5) The FAA conversion examinations fall under the group of "supplementary examinations"; CAR 104.01, Schedule IV, item 3 specifies the fee as $35.  If the conversion request involves multiple examinations, the examination fee is required for each examination.  As with all examination fees, this examination fee is payable when the exam is written.

(6) Applicants who have already successfully completed the CAR standard examination(s) required for the issue of a licence and rating will not be required to complete the FAA conversion examination(s) providing that the CAR standard examination(s) has been successfully completed within the time period specified in CAR 400.03.

(7) When a licence is issued along with one or more ratings, the fee charged should be the total of all of the individual fees associated with the transactions completed, in accordance with CAR 104 Schedule IV.

(a) The exception to this general rule is the issuance of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence. Because the IFR and multi-engine ratings are essential licence elements and because the fee for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence is greater than the fee for other licences, the larger fee covers the cost of the Instrument Rating, the Multi-Engine Class Rating and the licence itself. If the applicant also requests one or more type ratings, the fee for each type ratings would be applied in addition to the licence fee.

(8) Fees for the issuance of the licences and/or ratings can be collected at any time prior to the issue of the licence and/or rating.

6.0 Requirements for Specific Licences and Ratings

6.1 Private Pilot – Aeroplane

(1) To convert an FAA private pilot, commercial pilot or Airline Transport Pilot certificate to a Canadian Private Pilot Licence, the applicant:

(a) Must hold an FAA Private Pilot Certificate – Airplane Single Engine Land or Airplane Multiengine Land, as appropriate for the rating sought and not endorsed “Issued on the basis of…” another foreign licence.

(b) Must provide proof of a minimum of 45 hours flight time in aeroplanes.

(c) Must pass the FAAPA – Examination, Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane);

(2) A Night Rating will be issued on the Canadian Private Pilot Licence if:

(a) the applicant’s FAA certificate is endorsed with an Instrument Rating, or

(b) the applicant provides evidence of:

(i) 10 hours of dual, solo or PIC night experience, and

(ii) 10 hours of dual or PIC instrument time, of which a maximum of 5 hours can be instrument ground time.

6.2 Commercial Pilot – Aeroplane

(1) To convert an FAA commercial pilot or Airline Transport Pilot certificate to a Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence, the applicant:

(a) Must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate – Airplane Single Engine Land or Airplane Multiengine Land, as appropriate for the rating sought and not endorsed “Issued on the basis…” of another foreign licence.

(b) Must provide proof of a minimum of 200 hours flight time in aeroplanes.

(c) Must pass the FAACA – Examination, Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane);

(2) When the holder of an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate does not hold an Instrument Rating, the US certificate bears the limitation "Carrying passengers in airplanes for hire is prohibited at night and on cross-country flights of more than 50 nautical miles".  This licence notation imposes an operational limitation on US commercial pilots without an instrument rating that is similar to the one imposed by CAR 703.88(3).  Holders of commercial pilot certificates with this limitation have completed all commercial pilot certificate requirements.  When all other aspects of this conversion process have been met, we should issue an unrestricted Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence.

6.3 Airline Transport Pilot – Aeroplane

(1) To convert an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate to a Canadian Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the applicant:

(a) Must hold an FAA ATP – Airplane Multiengine Land.

Note:

An FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate can be issued for single engine land or sea.  Theonly FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificates that can be converted into a Canadian ATPL are those that are listedas “Airplane Multiengine Land”.

(b) Must have a minimum of 900 hours flight time in aeroplanes.

Note:

Flight engineer time is not credited

(c) Must pass the FAAAA – Examination, Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane), and

(d) Qualify for a Canadian Group 1 Instrument Rating in accordance with 6.4, below

(2) CAR 421.34(5)(b) precludes issuing an Airline Transport Pilot Licence without a valid group 1 Instrument Rating.  When an applicant does not hold a valid FAA airplane Instrument Rating consideration should be given to issuing a Commercial Pilot Licence.

6.4 Instrument Rating – Aeroplane

(1) To convert an FAA instrument rating – airplane to a Canadian Instrument Rating, the applicant must:

(a) hold an FAA Instrument Airplane rating

(b) pass the FAAIA – Examination, Instrument Rating (Aeroplane), and

Note:

The FAAAA examination includes items that address knowledge differences between the Canadian and American Instrument Ratings. Therefore, applicants who are receiving an Airline Transport Pilot Licence after having successfully completed the FAAAA examination are NOT required to complete the FAAIA examination.

(c) complete an Instrument Proficiency Check [§ 61.57] in the 24 months prior to application for the issue of the Canadian Instrument Rating.

Note:

Care must be taken not to confuse an Instrument Proficiency Check completed in accordance with § 61.57(d) with a Biennial Flight Review as required under § 61.56(c). A biennial flight review does not necessarily cover the same requirements of an Instrument Proficiency Check unless documentation indicates that an Instrument Proficiency Check was combined with the Biennial Flight Review.

(i) Unacceptable Endorsements:

Since a Biennial Flight Review CANNOT be used to meet the requirement for an Instrument Proficiency Check, it is important to be able to identify when an endorsement refers to a Biennial Flight Review. Two endorsements are common for a Biennial Flight Review, depending on whether it is completed as flight check or as part of a phase of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency award (WINGS) program.

I certify that (name), (pilot certificate), (certificate number), has satisfactorily completed a flight review of § 61.56(a) on (date).

Signature [date] [Examiner’s name] [Examiner’s certificate number] [CFI Exp. Date]

--- or ---

I certify that (name), (pilot certificate), (certificate number), has satisfactorily completed Phase No. ___ of a WINGS program on (date).

Signature [date] [CFI’s name] [CFI certificate number] [CFI Exp. Date]

These two endorsements CANNOT be accepted as meeting the requirement for an Instrument Proficiency Check.

(ii) Acceptable Endorsements:

When an Instrument Proficiency Check is accomplished in accordance with FAR § 61.57(d), the pilot’s logbook should include an endorsement such as:

I certify that (name), (pilot certificate), (certificate number), has satisfactorily completed the instrument proficiency check of § 61.57(d) in a (make and model of aircraft) on (date).

Signature [date] [Examiner’s name] [Examiner’s certificate number] [CFI Exp. Date]

Many examiners abbreviate this endorsement to read "IPC completed...date." Some examiners also use the expression "Instrument Competency Check" or "ICC".

We should accept any certification providing it includes the signature of the person giving the check and as long as it makes reference to an Instrument Proficiency Check completed in accordance with FAR § 61.57 (as opposed to other forms of flight review).

(iii) Air Carrier Pilots

Pilots who complete an Instrument Proficiency Check in a Part 121 or Part 135 air carrier operation may or may not have the logbook endorsement as described above. Providing the pilot served as pilot-in-command in an Part 121 or Part 135 air carrier operation, we should accept a copy of an official company training record or check ride form as substantiating compliance with the Instrument Proficiency Check requirement.

Note:

Applicants who have not completed an FAA Instrument Proficiency Check within the required time period, but who have successfully completed a Canadian Instrument Rating Flight test within the past 12 months will be considered to have met the skill requirement for conversion of the Instrument Rating.

(2) When issuing a Canadian Instrument Rating, the determination of which group of Instrument Rating to issue will be based on the notation on the US pilot certificate, not on the aeroplane in which the latest FAA Instrument Proficiency Check was completed.

(a) One notation might read “single & multi engine land and instrument airplane”. This indicates a single- and multi-engine instrument rating. A Canadian Group 1 Instrument Rating should be issued.

(b) Another notation might read “single engine land and instrument airplane”.  This indicates a single-engine instrument rating.  A Group 3 Instrument Rating should be issued.

(c) Another notation might read “single engine land and instrument airplane; multi-engine land airplane”.  This notation indicates that instrument privileges are limited to single-engine airplanes and that the applicant holds a multi-engine class rating with NO multi-engine instrument privileges.  Although the applicant would be eligible for a multi-engine class rating, the applicant would qualify for a Group 3 Instrument Rating.

(d) There is also a notation limiting instrument privileges to multi-engine centre-line thrust aircraft.  When this notation appears, a Group 2 Instrument Rating should be issued.

(e) US Airline Transport Pilot Certificates always include an Instrument Rating.  Therefore, the word “instrument” is not included in the above notations for Airline Transport Pilot Certificates. The only question about the Instrument Rating is whether it is a single- or multi-engine rating.  That information can be determined from the remainder of the notation, e.g., “single engine land aeroplane” or “single and multi engine land aeroplane.”

(3) Instrument Ratings issued under this conversion process will be valid to the first day of the twenty-fifth month following the month in which the Instrument Proficiency Check was completed.

(4) This conversion process applies only to the initial issuance of a Canadian Instrument Rating; it cannot be used to renew Canadian Instrument Ratings.  When a Canadian Instrument Rating is renewed, the provisions of CAR 421.46(2)(c) apply and the group of Instrument Rating issued at the time of renewal will be based on the aircraft in which the renewal flight test was conducted.

(a) When a Canadian Instrument Rating has expired for more than 24 months, we treat the application as an initial application. Therefore, the conversion process outlined above may be used to issue a Canadian Instrument Rating to an FAA certificate holder with valid instrument privileges even if that person held a Canadian Instrument Rating that expired more than 24 months ago.

6.5 VFR Over-the-Top Rating- Aeroplane

In cases where the FAA instrument rating holder does not meet the conditions noted above (i.e. the applicant has not completed an Instrument Proficiency Check in the preceding 24 months), a VFR Over-the-Top rating may be issued.

6.6 Type Rating – Aeroplane

(1) Although Canada and the United States use similar procedures for Type Ratings, in some cases the Type Designators used by the two countries differ.  The latest list of FAA Pilot Certificate Aircraft TypeDesignators–Airplane is at:  http://162.58.35.241/e.gov/airmen/Type_Rating_Table.pdf .  The latest Canadian Type Designator list is at http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/personnel/type.htm

(2) To convert an FAA type rating - airplane to a Canadian type rating:

(a) The applicant must hold an FAA pilot certificate endorsed with a type rating appropriate to the Canadian type rating sought.

(b) The aircraft type must be certified for use in Canada and the corresponding Canadian type designator must be listed in CAR 421.40 Appendix A (Aircraft Type Designators—1. Aeroplanes) or referenced in an applicable General Aviation Functional Directive.

(c) No written examination is required.

(d) No new skill test is required and there is no requirement for any recent experience or demonstration of skill on the particular type.

(3) Some FAA Pilot Certificates include Type Ratings with the annotation “- Circ Aprch- VMC Only”.  This annotation is common on Type Ratings obtained by pilots employed by U.S. Air Carriers.  In the U.S., like in Canada, the skill requirement for a Type Rating usually involves a circling approach – except when the operators are not authorised for circling below VMC.  Since holders of such U.S. Type Ratings have complied with FAA requirements for the Type Rating, the FAA issues the rating.  The annotation is placed on the certificate to remind pilots of the operational limitation found in the Operations Specifications for air carriers.  Equivalent Canadian Type Ratings should be issued to pilots holding these restricted FAA ratings.

6.7 Multi-Engine Class Rating – Aeroplane

Although not specifically mentioned in the IPL, it is assumed that holders of FAA certificates that include the privilege of acting as pilot-in-command of a multi-engine land aeroplane will be converted to a Canadian licence that includes that privilege.   Therefore, when an applicant for conversion presents an FAA certificate that includes the privilege of flying a multi-engine land aeroplane, the Canadian licence and/or rating that results will include a Canadian multi-engine land class rating.  Applicants for a multi-engine class rating under this conversion process:

(a) Must hold an FAA pilot certificate with a multi-engine land class rating

(b) Are not required to complete any written examination.

7.0 Refusal to Issue

(1) When someone applies for a licence or rating on the basis of this conversion process, a decision to refuse to issue the document will be based on the same criteria as for any other licensing process.

(2) At times, the FAA Verification of Authenticity will indicate that the FAA certificate is under suspension or revocation or that the applicant’s claim about the certificate or ratings held is not accurate.  In these cases, we must inform the applicant that we cannot issue the requested licence or rating and we will issue the corresponding Notice of Refusal to Issue using form #26-0654 located at http://tcinfo/forms/search.htm

8.0 Contact office

For more information please contact:
Chief Licensing and Registration

Suggestions for amendment to this document are invited and should be submitted via the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Issues Reporting System (CAIRS) at the following Internet address:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/ManagementServices/QA/cairs.htm

or by e-mail at: CAIRS_NCR@tc.gc.ca

Signed by Arlo Speer for Manzur Huq
On November 09, 2007

Manzur Huq
Director
General Aviation