Canadian ATPL

[Caly]

I have a question that hopefully someone can answer. My understanding is that for the Canadian ATPL there is no actual flight test just written and flight experience requirements. Would this scenario be possible? Convert my FAA commercial to Canadian commercial. Since I have the required flight experience just write the Canadian ATPL written and then receive my Canadian ATPL. Then complete the FAA written, and convert the Canadian ATPL back to FAA ATP, thus eliminating the need to take an FAA ATP checkride? Just brainstorming.

[TopperHarley]

A friend of mine went through the conversion of canadian to FAA ATP. After the conversion, his FAA was "frozen" until he had an FAA ride done which unfroze it. So you would get a "frozen" FAA ATP I guess, which would then be unfrozen once you do a type rating/checkride (he said the examiners just stamped the license).

[modi13]

The "flight test" is an IFR ride, and there's no easy way to convert Canadian to US instrument rating, or vice versa. Either way you go, you have to do a ride when you convert; it's not like the commercial where you can just write the exam. Trying it that way would require you to do two flight tests instead of one.

[Louis]

C-CHRIS, how long ago was that? Before or after the publication of AC61-135 ?

modi13: Going through the circular's mechanism involves a licence verification, a valid FAA medical, writing an exam and going to the nearest FSDO just like for the PPL, CPL and ATPL conversions.

Now, Caly, what's your reasonning behind doing it this way?

If you're trying to save money, I don't think it's a good way to do so, given the time you have to spend, the three exams you have to write (SARON, SAMRA, and the conversion back to FAA) plus the Canadian medical and your travel expenses for all that.

Otherwise, why would you be trying to avoid a checkride with the FAA? I understand a checkride isn't necessarily the most pleasent way to spend one's time, but it's part of the game if you want to work as a pilot. You're going to have a PPC/type rating ride at some point no? CFI maybe?

[modi13]

My mistake; however, in order to obtain a Canadian instrument rating, a holder of an American rating has to have performed a ride in the previous 24 months. Either way, having done a ride in the last two years is a requirement, and it looks like it would have to be done in the US no matter what.

[TopperHarley]

C-CHRIS, how long ago was that? Before or after the publication of AC61-135 ?

modi13: Going through the circular's mechanism involves a licence verification, a valid FAA medical, writing an exam and going to the nearest FSDO just like for the PPL, CPL and ATPL conversions.

After. He said he got the ATPL, but it was technically frozen until he did a checkride. I dont think this would be a big deal for someone trying to get a job in the USA, as when you do the type rating training or checkride it would automatically unfreeze it.

[Caly]

I don't really need the FAA ATP at the moment as the commercial license is sufficient for what I'm doing right now. My main concern is converting it to Canadian commercial and then obtaining the ATPL. Cost is a factor as I'm not going to go pay for an FAA ATP checkride when the company will pay for that when the time comes. I guess my real question was just confirming that there is no ride for the Canadian ATP, just the written exams and experience. Thanks for everyone's advice.

[vova_k]

... in order to obtain a Canadian instrument rating, a holder of an American rating has to have performed a ride in the previous 24 months...

Or IPC

[FlaplessDork]

I guess my real question was just confirming that there is no ride for the Canadian ATP, just the written exams and experience.

For the Canadian ATPL you need to have completed a Group 1 IFR ride or an IFR PPC within 12 months of your application for the ATPL.

[x-wind]

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/publi ... .htm#3-2-6

Download the TC aim.