Canadian to FAA

[pilotcirwin]

Hi there,

I'm currently a Canadian Commercial Pilot with multi-engine and will have multi-IFR shortly. I'm wishing to convert to get a FAA License.

The steps I have found are first to send the Verification of Authenticity Form to the "Federal Aviation Administration Airmen Certification Brach" (big mouth full) to Oklahoma. It's the AC 8060-70 Form.

Once I get the confirmation letter back from them I need to write the Airlaw and communications exam. I live in Canada, Victoria/Vancouver area and wonder where I can go to write this exam or if I have to travel to the states to write it? Do I need to write two exams to convert my commercial as well as my IFR? or are they the same Airlaw and communications exams? I also need to get a minimum of a US, Class 2 Medical or preferably a US, Class1

After the exams are complete I belive I have to travel to Seatle FSDO to get my temporary license untill I recive the real one in the mail shortly after.

It has taken over two days for me to get this information, and would greatly appreciate anyone elses help with the conversion. I have also taken a look at the 8000.364 Notice from FAA which sort of explains the steps.

Hope this helps others and please leave your comments.

[themulleye]

To wright the exam you just go to a laser Grade (one in Richmond BC). Make an appointment and thats it. they will give you a stamped exam report once you pass the exam, take that and all other paper work to the FDSO.


www.lasergrade.com

[pilotcirwin]

Are you sure there's one in Richmond? I heard you can only write FAA exams in the US?

[themulleye]

....I did my FAA exam in Toronto

[doo]

Where do you get the AC 8060-70 Form?

[ehwatezedoing]

Goggle is my friend!
--->"AC 8060-70 Form"<---

[pilotcirwin]

Do I have to write the full FAA commercial, and the Full FAA instrument? IF you look in notice 8000.364 it explains the conversion process. but it doesnt say what exact exam you have to take. The exam for foriegn pilots it says all you have to do is write an exam on everything that's just different between canada and the US. The FAA guys I'v talked to in Seattle hadnt seen this new notice (as of 5/4/07) so they're clueless of the conversion stuff now. I feel like a ginnea pig... haha

[Lessnessman]

If you need further assistance call Oklahoma FAA Head office...for the extra info., they are very helpful and courteous.
I wrote the exam recently (40 Q's), used GLEIM to prep for the course. I got four wrong, which were never covered in the GLEIM course...? Go figure. So some questions were NOT covered in the exam.
LaserGrade are located across Canada and will proctor the online exam. All questions are of Question then three(3) answers for the choices (as per GLEIM). One question was with a charted reference. A book of supplement charts and forms was provided as a paper option for viewing and answering the question.
Fairly straight forward..
Nessman

[pilotcirwin]

Thanks appreciate it.

[MidgetBoy]

Some flight schools who are allowed to issue the Canadian PPL written exam may also be able to issue FAA exams if they applied for that too.

[flysocal77]

Not that easy to convert

I converted my Canadian licenses to FAA in 2001. I can tell you right now the only ones that convert are the Private and ATP. (Unless things have changed since then). In other words all your certificates will amount to an FAA private pilot license based off your Canadian private. In fact if you loose your Canadian one for waterver reason your FAA private is void.

You will need to take a written and practical test for your commercial and instrument and only a practical test for the multi-engine. Keep in mind the practical test standards are different in the US. So don't expect to just show up and pass...you will need to get signed off by a CFI just like you did in Canada. The good news is the hours count. This is no simple task and also expensive.

[Canuck15]

hey guys

I converted from a canadian atp to an faa one . It was a very simple process and the i only had to do the simple exam and did a flight review with an instructor and had my log book signed . a simple interview with an faa inspector and a half hour later had my temporary lic in my hand . however the longest was the varifcation which they need from transport canada.

happy landings

[angryblackman]

Check Transport Canada's website related to the USA-Canada Bilateral Agreement. Download or Copy the Agreement and use it to help you understand the requirements in obtaining ... Canada to USA conversion.
Although the website is provided for Americans to obtain a Canadian Licence. A Canadian could use it in reverse to assist in obtaining the American license.

Transport Canada's website offers more detail than the FAA website in the converting of licences / licenses.

Canadian = Licence
American = License

[kiri747]

CAA to FAA/ Canadian License

Hi

I'm flying with my CAA South African Com license in Namibia using a validation.
Can u guys maybe give me some info please regarding getting a FAA license of what do I need to fly in Canada?

Is there a difference between a FAA and Canadian Com?

Thanx and enjoy
Lowaldo vd Merwe

[Messerschmitt]

But I was under the impression that Canada is alredy FAA?

US/Canada FAA and Europe JAA or am I dead wrong?

[angryblackman]

Your wrong!

United States = Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Canada = Transport Canada (TC) formerly Ministry of Transport

JAA = Joint Aviation Authority... which originally represented the twelve original European countries within the European Union. This has increased substantially in the last 15 years.

[RA-DOME]

Any developments

pilotcirwin : any news on this, I am also curious about converting TC Comm to FAA...

also what have been your (or anyone else's) associated costs, if anyone feels free to share, and maybe break down for us...

Thanks boys

[pilotcirwin]

read first: There could be errors in this, if so, please contact me. I hope this helps. Take care, and thanks for all your help.

AS OF JANUARY, 2nd 2008.


Regulations change often. So be sure to follow the most current conversion regulations.

Canadian Transport Canadian License

Conversion to:
United States, FAA License.

1) Foreign pilot certificate holders (other than at the private pilot level) may obtain U.S. pilot certificates only by meeting the eligibility requirements set forth in 14 CFR 61.123 (Commercial Pilot) and 14 CFR 61.153 (Airline Transport Pilot).

1.  
   1. These requirements include passing both a knowledge test and a practical test.

(Practical test only needed if going to exercising the privileges of a converted FAA commercial pilot)

b. The pilot must verify his/her foreign certificate with the FAA by completing a Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification Form
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/media/verify61-75.pdf
Notice 8000.364 Appendix A writes:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A TCCA CPL HOLDER TO CONVERT TO AN FAA COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE AND RATINGS (i.e., ASEL OR AMEL).



A. For a TCCA CPL holder to be able to convert to an FAA commercial pilot certificate, the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1) Be at least 18 years of age.

2) Hold at least an FAA third-class medical certificate (see § 61.23(a)(3)(v)). Must hold a second-class medical certificate to exercise the privileges of an FAA commercial pilot certificate in flight operations that require the pilot to hold an FAA commercial certificate (see § 61.23(a)(2)).

3) Hold a TCCA CPL—ASEL or AMEL, as appropriate for the rating sought, and have logged a minimum of 250 hours flight time as a pilot.

4) Pass the FAA aeronautical knowledge test on air laws and communications.

*****See Note below regarding where to write the tests and how to study for it******

NOTE 1: Completion of the FAA “Commercial Pilot—Airplane Aeronautical Knowledge Test” within the preceding 24 calendar-months is also acceptable.
NOTE 2: No additional practical test is required.
5) Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

B. Before exercising the privileges of a converted FAA commercial pilot certificate under the FAA/TCCA IPL agreement, the pilot must meet the following recency of experience requirements of part 61:

1) Section 61.56(c), Flight Review. Flight review in an airplane administered by an FAA certificated flight instructor.

2) Takeoff and Landing Current.

a) Section 61.57(a), takeoff and landing current within the preceding 90 days for operating with passengers.

b) Section 61.57(b), takeoff and landing current at night within the preceding 90 days for operating at night with passengers.

Make sure you get your FAA Medical. Class 3 allows you to get your temporary license. Class 2 is for commercial operations. Class 3 is for air transport pilots.


http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

Look for the nearest FAA medical examiner.





**** Written Test Stuff****


1) Look for a testing site near you.

http://www.faa.gov/education_research/testing/airmen/media/test_centers.pdf

“Glacier Aviation, Inc.” is the closest to West Coast Canada. The one in Bellingham shut down. Glacier is in Burlington.


http://helicopterflightschool.com/contact_us_form.htm


[phone]

Contact “LASERGRADE” (computer testing)

to register for an examination,

[phone]

Show up and write the tests.



http://www.lasergrade.com/contact.shtml

*****What about Studying for the exams?*****

I used the online company Gleim

www.gleim.com


They have an excellent online course for the Commercial conversion and the Instrument conversion. It’s easy and quick to use.

*****Getting Your License*****


After tests are written contact your nearest FSDO office to set up an appointment. Make sure you bring the following:



1. Your Test results


2. Your FAA medical

3. Your Canadian Licenses.
4. Your Passport and other ID

For BC pilots,

1601 Lind Avenue SW, Suite 260

Renton, WA 98057

Phone: [phone]

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/sea/contact/

Your done!!