revalidating my ATPL from 2003

[flyclipper]

Hello fellow colleagues,

in 2003, after years of flying with my Canadian ATPL, I left Canada to pursue my aviation career in Europe.
I acquired my JAR ATPL and now have both.
The Canadian ATPL however has expired back in 2003. My European one
is still valid since I currently fly the LR 60 as PIC.
What would I have to do in order to re - validate my Canadian license?
Will a "simple" check ride suffice or would I have to pass some form of written exam?

Thanks for your informative replies and many safe landings!!

[Colonel Sanders]

Oh boy.

First of all, since you left, the old blue paper
licences all were trashed.

You need to get a passport photo and fill out
the application form for an Aviation Document
Booklet and mail it in to a TC Regional office.

Some people would argue that you need a
(5 year) flight review and to write the PSTAR
but I disagree - you have been acting as PIC
using a foreign licence, which counts towards
the 5 year and 6 month rules, if you read the
regs carefully.

WRT the 2 year rule, write the ASL.

Now onto your instrument rating. Normally
you would have to write the INRAT and do
a flight test, but if you have been flying foreign
air carrier, you don't have to do that. In
fact, your renewal doesn't have to be in an
airplane. I think you can skip the INRAT and
just do a ride in a Redbird sim, which are
everywhere now.

So if you:

1) get a Canuck medical
2) get an ADB
3) write the ASL (2 year)
4) fly a group 1 IFR in a Redbird

You are good to go, IMHO.

[frozen solid]

What's an "ASL"?

No, seriously.

[Grey_Wolf]

ASL = Aviation Safety Letter ?

[trey kule]

I went through the same process a year or so ago except I had the new license.

TC may accept your latest proficiency check. It must be in English, or translated and notarized .
My understanding was that it had to cover the same items as would be covered in a TC renewal/PPC. You submit it and they review it.
You may also get your foreign medical accepted. Same as above. I did not go this route as it was a big hassle to get my medical translated, notarized etc...just easier to get a new Canadian medical.
I would chat or email them for specific details. They are very good at answering, from my experience.

Some of my Canadian colleagues who planned to return and fly in Canada chose to take an instrument refresher seminar to become current on any unique changes to Canada' s procedures etc, then write the exam and do the redbird thing. Seems like at the end this was almost the easier way to go.

If I can help with anything specific questions, feel free to PM me.

[Colonel Sanders]

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/p ... -6502.html

[flyclipper]

Thank you very much for your advice and suggestions!!

[Colonel Sanders]

Normally, for an instrument rating:

If an instrument rating has been expired for LESS
than two years, it can be renewed with a flight
test (in a redbird sim).

If an instrument rating has been expired for MORE
than two years, in addition to the above, you must
first re-write & pass the INRAT (70% score is pass).


Above is the case for a pilot whom has not been
flying IFR. In the past, TC has recognized and
granted credit wrt the above requirements to
returning pilots whom have been flying IFR for
a foreign air carrier (sometimes into Canada).

I should mention that since you left, the Redbird
sims have taken over. They are everywhere,
and are widely used by many pilots to renew
their group 1 (multi) IFR.

[Defy Gravity]

So if you're closing in on 5 years since your last flight, you need to:

1) Write the ASL
2) Complete 5 take-offs and landings

After 5 years it's the PSTAR plus a flight review?

[Colonel Sanders]

After 5 years, you need

- medical
- PSTAR
- flight review
- ADB valid

for basic VFR PIC privileges (no pax).

If you are closing in on 5 years, I might
recommend you log some PIC immediately
(dual doesn't count). All you need is 0.1

ASL is every 2 years.

For pax carrying, it's 5 takeoffs and landings
in last six months in class. Night covers day.

Above is VFR only. See above for IFR.

[Defy Gravity]

Thanks Colonel!

[Jerz]

Hey. I was in the same boat 3 years ago. You don't need to rewrite anything as long as your foreign license/IFR is valid.
Jerz