Importing N-Registered aircraft into Canada
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Squamish, BC
Age: 44
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Importing N-Registered aircraft into Canada
Hi all,
tried searching for any information regarding importing aircraft on the N-Register in the States to Canada but only found one reference to someone importing a Beech Baron for a commercial operation. There weren't many replies!
My situation is a bit different. Hoping to take my PPL flight test in January/February and then on to hour building for my Commercial licence.
One or two of my contemporaries are thinking of joining me in purchasing an aeroplane to save money on hour building rather than renting. We reckon we can make it work assuming we fly enough hours to make it pay for itself. We've been looking at some Cessna 172's and were wondering how much it might cost to import a plane from the USA.
I understand we'll have to pay HST, import tax/duty and have the plane examined and certified (?) by a Transport Canada mechanic. Does anyone know how long this might take and (on average) how much it might cost?
I guess we'd have to assume the plane was in decent condition - so not to cost too much in terms of remedial mechanical work... Just to get an idea of cost of the other stuff I just mentioned.
Any useful information very gratefully received!
Many thanks,
MGE
tried searching for any information regarding importing aircraft on the N-Register in the States to Canada but only found one reference to someone importing a Beech Baron for a commercial operation. There weren't many replies!
My situation is a bit different. Hoping to take my PPL flight test in January/February and then on to hour building for my Commercial licence.
One or two of my contemporaries are thinking of joining me in purchasing an aeroplane to save money on hour building rather than renting. We reckon we can make it work assuming we fly enough hours to make it pay for itself. We've been looking at some Cessna 172's and were wondering how much it might cost to import a plane from the USA.
I understand we'll have to pay HST, import tax/duty and have the plane examined and certified (?) by a Transport Canada mechanic. Does anyone know how long this might take and (on average) how much it might cost?
I guess we'd have to assume the plane was in decent condition - so not to cost too much in terms of remedial mechanical work... Just to get an idea of cost of the other stuff I just mentioned.
Any useful information very gratefully received!
Many thanks,
MGE
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Topskier
Lots of aircraft have been imported into Canada from the US and there are companies that specialise in this sort of thing. You can try Field Aviation and Leggat Aviation, both in the Toronto area. Also an online search might be useful. Transport Canada might also be able to give you the names of some of these outfits.
Lots of aircraft have been imported into Canada from the US and there are companies that specialise in this sort of thing. You can try Field Aviation and Leggat Aviation, both in the Toronto area. Also an online search might be useful. Transport Canada might also be able to give you the names of some of these outfits.
Last edited by rotornut; 20th Dec 2011 at 13:10.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Squamish, BC
Age: 44
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the reply, I've already tried an online search and didn't find anything paticularly pertinent. The companies I found importing aircraft were mainly doing so for commercial operators and were specifically dealing with heavier metal than I'm looking at.
I'll give TC a call, although I can already anticipate their response...
I'll give TC a call, although I can already anticipate their response...
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Be very careful and do your research, this is a potential minefield for the unwary. Not to say it cannot have a happy outcome but there are plenty of horror stories out there.
Probably best to use an AME you know and trust and who has done this before, and knows the right MDM to use.
Probably best to use an AME you know and trust and who has done this before, and knows the right MDM to use.
Moderator
Topskier,
Yes, it can be done, I have one underway now, but be very very careful. You really have to want the American plane - Can you not find what you want already C registered? That really would be your safe thing to do for the first plane.
There are enough differences between the FAA and Transport Canada systems defining an "airworthy" plane, that you can easily get caught in the middle. There are Canadian requirements and limitations, which do not exist in the US, which can result in a completely legal and airworthy US aircraft not being acceptable in Canada, and requiring overhauls. Un approved modifications can be another problem. What's "approved" in the US, might not be so in Canada - different systems.
If you must buy from the US, it is vital that a Canadian AME/AMO inspects the aircraft first hand, and conducts a paperwork review, in the context of the Canadian requirements. Be prepaired to pay that person, and still walk away from the plane. Yes, there is more choice in the US, but I doubt that the cost savings would be so great as to cover the additional costs of informed buying across the border, unless it's a very rare or special aircraft.
Good luck...
Yes, it can be done, I have one underway now, but be very very careful. You really have to want the American plane - Can you not find what you want already C registered? That really would be your safe thing to do for the first plane.
There are enough differences between the FAA and Transport Canada systems defining an "airworthy" plane, that you can easily get caught in the middle. There are Canadian requirements and limitations, which do not exist in the US, which can result in a completely legal and airworthy US aircraft not being acceptable in Canada, and requiring overhauls. Un approved modifications can be another problem. What's "approved" in the US, might not be so in Canada - different systems.
If you must buy from the US, it is vital that a Canadian AME/AMO inspects the aircraft first hand, and conducts a paperwork review, in the context of the Canadian requirements. Be prepaired to pay that person, and still walk away from the plane. Yes, there is more choice in the US, but I doubt that the cost savings would be so great as to cover the additional costs of informed buying across the border, unless it's a very rare or special aircraft.
Good luck...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Squamish, BC
Age: 44
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brilliant, thanks all for the advice.
I'll keep looking for a C-registered aircraft. Seems a lot less (potential) hassle!
I'm really looking for a decent Cessna 170 with plenty of time left on the engine. Anyone know of one for sale?
I'll keep looking for a C-registered aircraft. Seems a lot less (potential) hassle!
I'm really looking for a decent Cessna 170 with plenty of time left on the engine. Anyone know of one for sale?
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Montreal,Canada
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Importing a US aircraft to Canada
Topskier
''There are enough differences between the FAA and Transport Canada systems defining an "airworthy" plane, that you can easily get caught in the middle. There are Canadian requirements and limitations, which do not exist in the US, which can result in a completely legal and airworthy US aircraft not being acceptable in Canada, and requiring overhauls. Un approved modifications can be another problem. What's "approved" in the US, might not be so in Canada - different systems.''
-------------------
One example of this is the engine overhaul.
In the US, an A&P ( Equivalent to an AME here ) is allowed to overhaul an engine but not in Canada.
So if you buy an a/c that had the engine overhaul by A& P , you will have to have the engine overhaul again here in Canada regarless of the hours on the engine..
This could cost you up to 10K just to have the engine open up and re-assemble by an overhaul shop.
Have someone ( an AME ) who's samiliar with the process go with you and inspect the a/c prior to purchasing, that will be the best money spent you'll ever do.
Good luck with your career.
''There are enough differences between the FAA and Transport Canada systems defining an "airworthy" plane, that you can easily get caught in the middle. There are Canadian requirements and limitations, which do not exist in the US, which can result in a completely legal and airworthy US aircraft not being acceptable in Canada, and requiring overhauls. Un approved modifications can be another problem. What's "approved" in the US, might not be so in Canada - different systems.''
-------------------
One example of this is the engine overhaul.
In the US, an A&P ( Equivalent to an AME here ) is allowed to overhaul an engine but not in Canada.
So if you buy an a/c that had the engine overhaul by A& P , you will have to have the engine overhaul again here in Canada regarless of the hours on the engine..
This could cost you up to 10K just to have the engine open up and re-assemble by an overhaul shop.
Have someone ( an AME ) who's samiliar with the process go with you and inspect the a/c prior to purchasing, that will be the best money spent you'll ever do.
Good luck with your career.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trade-A-Plane always has a huge selection of N and perhaps some C aircraft: http://www.trade-a-plane.com/
Also, check The Western Producer classifieds: The Western Producer | Classifieds
If you look under "LOOKING FOR AN AIRCRAFT" you'll see that this outfit advertises that it has "extensive experience importing aircraft".
Also, check The Western Producer classifieds: The Western Producer | Classifieds
If you look under "LOOKING FOR AN AIRCRAFT" you'll see that this outfit advertises that it has "extensive experience importing aircraft".
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"" So if you buy an a/c that had the engine overhaul by A& P , you will have to have the engine overhaul again here in Canada regarless of the hours on the engine..""
That isn't quite true but there are some items related to an engine overhaul that need to be done by an FAA repair station, equivalent of an AMO. This from my TC maintenance inspector:
That isn't quite true but there are some items related to an engine overhaul that need to be done by an FAA repair station, equivalent of an AMO. This from my TC maintenance inspector:
That the overhaul be documented well enough to determine if the overhaul meets manufacturers requirements as published in their overhaul manual. Also if the work is specialized maintenance it is required to be done at an AMO (in the US it would be accomplished at an appropriately rated FAA repair station). example Lycoming O-320 can be overhauled by an A&P but if the cases are welded or NDT is performed those parts need to be subbed out to an FAA repair station. If you are talking about a radial engine with a 2 part crankshaft it needs to be performed by an FAA repair station. Please See CAR 571 for definition of specialized maintenance.
Part V - Subpart 71 - Aircraft Maintenance Requirements - Transport Canada
Engine
2. Any of the following types of tasks is engine specialized maintenance:
(amended 2003/06/01; previous version)
(a) the reassembly of a multi-part engine crankshaft or a crankshaft equipped with a dynamic counterweight system;
(b) the reassembly of the crankcase of a reciprocating engine that is equipped with an integral supercharger or a propeller reduction gear;
(c) the overhaul of a reciprocating engine that is equipped with an integral or turbo supercharger; and
(d) the overhaul of a turbine engine or turbine engine module.
Part V - Airworthiness - Transport Canada
Part V - Subpart 71 - Aircraft Maintenance Requirements - Transport Canada
Engine
2. Any of the following types of tasks is engine specialized maintenance:
(amended 2003/06/01; previous version)
(a) the reassembly of a multi-part engine crankshaft or a crankshaft equipped with a dynamic counterweight system;
(b) the reassembly of the crankcase of a reciprocating engine that is equipped with an integral supercharger or a propeller reduction gear;
(c) the overhaul of a reciprocating engine that is equipped with an integral or turbo supercharger; and
(d) the overhaul of a turbine engine or turbine engine module.
Part V - Airworthiness - Transport Canada
