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I converted to, or more accurately acquired - I still have my FAA, a Canadian ATPL a few years ago. I did it to have another ICAO ATPL in case of the off chance I upset Mr. FAA. I have a clean ICAO ATPL that I can use for expat contract work.

The process is very easy and surprisingly inexpensive. Get a TCCA first class medical - there are a few in the States. I was lucky in that my regular FAA AME in Phoenix was also a TCCA AME. After that fill out the conversion form which you can download from the Transport Canada site. It will include a form which authorizes the Canadian Authorities to get your FAA records. You will also get a TCCA File Number which will basically become your license number. When given the go-ahead from TCCA you can schedule the ATPL conversion written exam. There is a flight school in Winnepeg which has a study course. I bought that and spend two days studying. The test itself is short, about 25-30 questions, but it has to be done at a TCCA office. It took me about 5 minutes to complete and I only missed one question. When you go to take the exam, you also take your logbooks and a passport picture (meeting TCCA requirements). Hand all of that in and pay the fees when you take your exam. A few months later you will get your Canadian Aviation Document Book (looks like a passport)which contains your license and medical, as well as your logbooks.

I cannot remember all of the fees specifically, but for everything - medical, exams, fees, study course, I spent about $500-$600 total. For my exam and to turn in the final paperwork I jumpseated up to Vancouver for the day. The Vancouver office, on Burrard Street in downtown, is very easy to reach via the metro system right from the airport. Even though it was a long day, I was able to do everything in Canada without getting a hotel. Total process from start to receiving the ADB was about three months.

One thing to rememeber though is that Canada requires you to renew your instrument rating once every two years, and it can only be done with a TCCA approved examiner in Canada. When you initially get your Canadian license it will come with an IR valid from your last PC (if you are a 121 guy). They do this as part of the conversion agreement. After it expires you can renew through a TCCA examiner or you can wait another two years and then submit another FAR 121 PC to get it renewed through the FAA/TCCA conversion agreement. If you wait to go that route you will have a two year period without a valid IR. Of course if you are not actively using the TCCA license then who cares. And if you are actively using it in Canada, then your PCs will renew your IR.

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