Expat Canadian Pilots - how to prove flight experience?
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Expat Canadian Pilots - how to prove flight experience?
Hello
I am an expat Canadian Pilot flying B737 in Africa.
I was wondering how do Canadian employers or perhaps TC verify that my hours which I claim are real?
The problem is that some companies in Africa as well as the Civil Aviation Authorities are virtually unreachable by telephone or email. Most of the people who work in these ministries are so incompetent that they barely know what is an airplane - I'm not joking.
So even if my hours are real, how do I prove it?
Do the employers go through TC in order to verify pilot's experience?
How does it work?
And the same goes for ATPL. How can TC really verify my flight experience?
Thanks!
I am an expat Canadian Pilot flying B737 in Africa.
I was wondering how do Canadian employers or perhaps TC verify that my hours which I claim are real?
The problem is that some companies in Africa as well as the Civil Aviation Authorities are virtually unreachable by telephone or email. Most of the people who work in these ministries are so incompetent that they barely know what is an airplane - I'm not joking.
So even if my hours are real, how do I prove it?
Do the employers go through TC in order to verify pilot's experience?
How does it work?
And the same goes for ATPL. How can TC really verify my flight experience?
Thanks!
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And the same goes for ATPL. How can TC really verify my flight experience?
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Well I'm still an expat, going on 12 years in the Middle East now and likely to finish my career over here...unless I finish up as a little old man gone back to flight instructing! 
But...a couple friends of mine have gone back to fly at home. They had to have their logbooks stamped and certified by flight ops at this company, and they kept copies of their last several PPC's (all of them would be better if you have still have them or can get them). This verified their experience to TC's satisfaction.
Neither of them had kept up their Canadian medical (nor have I for that matter) but once they did it back home and had their above mentioned documents vetted their ATPL's were reissued with no written exam required. They may have had to do one PPC in Canada, I'm not sure. From what I understand it's much easier than renewing your Canadian Driver's license!
I know what you mean about authorities trusting African operations though. Best of luck.
But...a couple friends of mine have gone back to fly at home. They had to have their logbooks stamped and certified by flight ops at this company, and they kept copies of their last several PPC's (all of them would be better if you have still have them or can get them). This verified their experience to TC's satisfaction.
Neither of them had kept up their Canadian medical (nor have I for that matter) but once they did it back home and had their above mentioned documents vetted their ATPL's were reissued with no written exam required. They may have had to do one PPC in Canada, I'm not sure. From what I understand it's much easier than renewing your Canadian Driver's license!
I know what you mean about authorities trusting African operations though. Best of luck.
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ATPL
Thanks for the reply!!
My friend actually told me that when he had applied for his ATPL they kept his logbook for a few weeks. What do they study in it for so long?
And what about the FAA when it comes to submitting to them an application for the issue of the ATP? What kind of confirmations do they require?
My friend actually told me that when he had applied for his ATPL they kept his logbook for a few weeks. What do they study in it for so long?
And what about the FAA when it comes to submitting to them an application for the issue of the ATP? What kind of confirmations do they require?
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Never had trouble with my log books in Canada, been flying mostly in Africa. Log books verified by company and that satisfied TC. Whenever I want to bring my Canadian licence up to speed I do a Medical and an IR. No need for written exam if you can prove you have done an IR test in the last year by showing your check ride results and stamp in your foreign licence.
When I did my ATP they only kept my log book for a day, they just look to see if there are any obvious discrepancies. I think if you just have the hours they look a bit harder if your over the hours required they are usually pretty quick about it.
When I did my ATP they only kept my log book for a day, they just look to see if there are any obvious discrepancies. I think if you just have the hours they look a bit harder if your over the hours required they are usually pretty quick about it.
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I had a bit more, mayber 2500 hours.
Some people told me I would need letters from past employers and such, or that some of my time (copilot <12500lbs.) wouldn't count unless I got copies of the fom requiring 2 crew. I figured I'd just sort it out if they had a problem with something and just signed the bottom of each page and sent it in.
Didn't hear a thing until the license showed up and they called me to come pick up my logbook or pay for shipping it. Cheapasses. Was simple enough though so no complaints - was Pacific region YVR downtown, maybe some offices are different.
Some people told me I would need letters from past employers and such, or that some of my time (copilot <12500lbs.) wouldn't count unless I got copies of the fom requiring 2 crew. I figured I'd just sort it out if they had a problem with something and just signed the bottom of each page and sent it in.
Didn't hear a thing until the license showed up and they called me to come pick up my logbook or pay for shipping it. Cheapasses. Was simple enough though so no complaints - was Pacific region YVR downtown, maybe some offices are different.
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I try not to spend too much time talking to TC, but in a recent conversation with one of their staff he/she made the comment that they have never seen so many ex-pats applying to regain/ revalidate their Canadian licences, most of them are resident of the ME and various "sand boxes", make what you wish of this.
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Wishing...
We'll I'm not sure what you mean about that Clunk however, I've done my time with the likes of PWA, Canadian. I've been there to go through the bankruptcy process with CAIL and have given depositions before the NTA in supporting the continuance of my airlines in Canada.
When it was found that there was a lack of will by management and the writing was on the wall, I had a family to feed, like many others on here. I left Canada on my own free will. No union protection and learned how to fly airplanes. As a result, I'm proud of my international achievements as many others probably are. And yes, I'll be coming back to Canada with a valid Canadian ATPL and proud of it.
My experience with those at Transport Canada has been nothing short of exceptional but then again it's how one approaches them begs the difference.
When it was found that there was a lack of will by management and the writing was on the wall, I had a family to feed, like many others on here. I left Canada on my own free will. No union protection and learned how to fly airplanes. As a result, I'm proud of my international achievements as many others probably are. And yes, I'll be coming back to Canada with a valid Canadian ATPL and proud of it.
My experience with those at Transport Canada has been nothing short of exceptional but then again it's how one approaches them begs the difference.
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777AV8R, you seem to be reading more into these ex pats returning than most, as a returned ex pat myself I just made the comment out of general interest, nothing more, nothing less. By the way, my "return" was way back during a previous period of tough aviation times in Canada, the return worked out very well by the way.
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Canadian work experience
by the way talking of returns, did any one of you have issues with the Canadian employers being sceptical in regards to a non Canadian Experience? I have heard that a Canadian experience on King Air for instance is sometimes more valued than an expat b737 experience...
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Jimmy2times, the short answer is yes, one of the reasons I believe was some "P51" time which was evident in a fair proportion of the claimed flight times, also the fact that as in America, some were claiming PIC time in aircraft which had two crew, both logging it as PIC, then there were some outright frauds who simply falsified log books. In recent times there have been cases of gross forgery, for instance one well known operator was fooled by a rather long haired chap claiming lots of Lear Jet PIC, {even held up as the "Poster Boy" operating inaugural flights etc..} in the long run the employer worked it out that rather than an ATPL he should have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, however he wasn't demoted from his lofty position before some very fine employees had quit, having had enough of his bull---t, if you have a decent honest log book and genuine verification of time, regardless of what form this might take its my experience you wont have any problems, good luck!
Last edited by clunckdriver; 9th Aug 2014 at 19:31.
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This is what makes me angry the most. You work overseas in the worst places of the world, in hard conditions, risking your life, and because some as***les falsify their time other expats suffer the consequences!
One of the reasons why I plan on returning home is because these big flight hours in Africa don't seem to be very beneficial beyond a certain number when it comes to finding a job in Canada.
And the worst is that even with a proper letter from the employer and a stamp on the logbook is not enough! It's quite hard for an employer to get a hold of someone over there in Africa who could confirm the flight experience. These companies often barely keep track of their flights, crew... They often don't even use computers, everything is on paper the old way!
One of the reasons why I plan on returning home is because these big flight hours in Africa don't seem to be very beneficial beyond a certain number when it comes to finding a job in Canada.
And the worst is that even with a proper letter from the employer and a stamp on the logbook is not enough! It's quite hard for an employer to get a hold of someone over there in Africa who could confirm the flight experience. These companies often barely keep track of their flights, crew... They often don't even use computers, everything is on paper the old way!
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Jimmy, couldn't agree more, on top of this the time I've wasted checking pilots background is not in my opinion time well spent. The problem is not just with the ex pats, it starts right here in Canada, at least one of the Ontario government sponsored schools, students forged signatures of a flight school owner to obtain both hours and money under false pretenses, nothing was done to them in spite of TC enforcement wishing to go after them, I guess the brass at both levels of government blocked any prosecution, so don't think when you leave the "Dark Continent" things will be Kosher, not in Ontario for sure! Good luck with your endeavors!
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Go to a Notary Public and swear out an affidavit that the hours you are claiming are true.
Transport Canada will accept that....or charge you with a criminal offense.
Transport Canada will accept that....or charge you with a criminal offense.
