Australian AME moving to Canada

[hvfp84]

I'm an Australian AME who is looking to relocate to Canada. I have noticed that most jobs for AME's require a M licence. I was wondering if someone could tell me how I would go about obtaining one and what is involved in it.

Also I was looking at moving to Calgary and was wondering if there are many job available there and what the best places to work there are.

[robertw]

You need to have received training approved by Transport Canada (TCCA). You need to have documented industry experience that is acceptable to TCCA. You need to write the TCCA licensing exams. Since yours will be a foreign application, the best thing for you to do is to contact the regional TCCA office you will be moving closest to to get them to evaluate what you currently have and tell you what it's going to take to get a Canadian AME license.

[kilpicki]

lots of work in Calgary especially if you have PT6 experience. An Aussie friend of mine went to Kenn Borek Air and they assised him in obtaining his Canadian M1 or M2. Because he had large series experience he (went to the Ice) for the season. I'd contact KBA and maybe you can get moveing assistance as they and others are so hard pressed for experienced guys.
As stated go to a TC office and show your licence and all revelent document and you sit an air regs, or CARS and if you pass Bobs your Uncle
If you have the right experience some companies in Calgary will send a limo to the airport to meet you and take you to the TC office.

[Choppermech1986]

Hey mate,

Looked at making the change not too long ago, took all my documentation to a TC office, Cert. IV documents, LAME licence (admittedly only helicopter airframe licenced, R22, R44, B206, AS250, 205, BO105, BK117 etc), SOE's etc etc.

Was told that I would have to sit a TC approved course (can be done externally) even though I'd done the 9 month Cert IV course, pass the 4 TC exams (even though I'd passed about 15 CASA basic exams) and obtain 70% of the TC listed tasks.

A month later, I met a Canadian working in NSW. He told me he transferred his licence and all his endorsements to an Australian licence just by sitting AA (Air Legislation). No other documentation required. Needless to say, I was a bit miffed.

Apparently it depends a lot on which TC delegate you get. I desperately want to work in Canada but I'd be better off going as a pilot and converting in a week as opposed to spending a year to do it as an AME (only to make less $ than here in Aus).

Hope it pans out for you.

Cheers.

[Tiredoldcoot]

Hey mate,

Looked at making the change not too long ago, took all my documentation to a TC office, Cert. IV documents, LAME licence (admittedly only helicopter airframe licenced, R22, R44, B206, AS250, 205, BO105, BK117 etc), SOE's etc etc.

Was told that I would have to sit a TC approved course (can be done externally) even though I'd done the 9 month Cert IV course, pass the 4 TC exams (even though I'd passed about 15 CASA basic exams) and obtain 70% of the TC listed tasks.

A month later, I met a Canadian working in NSW. He told me he transferred his licence and all his endorsements to an Australian licence just by sitting AA (Air Legislation). No other documentation required. Needless to say, I was a bit miffed.

Apparently it depends a lot on which TC delegate you get. I desperately want to work in Canada but I'd be better off going as a pilot and converting in a week as opposed to spending a year to do it as an AME (only to make less $ than here in Aus).

Hope it pans out for you.

Chopper Mech: Assuming you were, as you stated ONLY airframed endorsed, THAt would be the reason you had to jump through so many hoops! Ya have to have the engine side covered as well. That's probably why the Canuck dude in New South Wales only had to write the air regs exam. We have no licensing requirements for an airframe only, type of tech. A licensed M guy can damned near sign for everything, assuming full type course, The only "stand alone" licenses in canada is The P ( Power Plants) and The S, ( Structures ) and the E ( avionics) Bothe the M and the E licensesd guys ( gals) take the same course , A person with an M1, M2 can sign "Structures" as well as MOSt e license requirements, as well as P. There is a major difference in the signing authority permitted, with an ACA , with the Canadian License.

I also have heli endorsements, as well as Plank endorsemenst.

You are correct, what you will be told and have to do will vary, depending upon which M & M Inspector you talk to, in which office and which region. They'll all intrepret it differently.


i do disagree with the money part though! I retired at 50 with what I made wrench bending on helicopters!!


Cheers, Chris.

[Choppermech1986]

Yes, Coot pretty much sums it up. I know that I was ambitious to apply without an engine licence, even if I did have an SOE full of piston time (I now have a Group 2 (pistons in flingwings) licence).

I'm now working on my fixed wing licences, as Group 1 Airframe (<5700kgs) and Group 1 Engine (Pistons in planks) seem to be the closest relatives to the Canadian M1 licence.

I don't know what licences you have hvfp84, but I would do my best to be fixed wing A&E licenced, at the very least, when you leave.

Calgary is nice, you're close to the mountains!

CB.

P.S. Don't expect any help from CASA!