Temporary CPL issue whilst foreign license is processed.

[Planebloke]

Hi does anyone know which flying schools can issue a temporary cpl or permit to fly commercially whilst my foreign license gets processed at TC. A friend has been through the process but is a Helicopter driver so his school cannot help, preferably a school in BC or Alberta.

I understand it can take up to 90 days for TC to issue the real Canadian cpl and with the float season looming that could hinder me getting a seat this year as I don't arrive for another three weeks.

Thanks

[Colonel Sanders]

TC tells AP's at FTU's to NOT DO THAT.

If TC won't give it to you, you are SOL.

[ahramin]

If TC has your application, couldn't you simply pay them the $40 to get the temporary? How did you submit the conversion application?

[Planebloke]

This is why I asked, I have not submitted it yet as I am not in country, so I can pay $40 to get a temp license? If that is the case then problem solved. I have emailed them and tried to get them on the phone but its pretty hard to get a straight answer.

Thanks for your help

[Planebloke]

CS,

Sorry a bit confused by the three letter abbreviations, new to this part of the world. Cheers

[ahramin]

Transport Canada: You probably knew that one already.

Authorized Person: People at FTUs who can sign licences.

Flight Training Unit: Self explanatory.

Shit Outta Luck: Sounds like your case.

When you are at an FTU and complete all the requirements for a licence an AP would make sure you have the requirements and sign your licence for the additional privileges so that you have them while you wait for TC to process the application. CS, who is an AP, tells us that TC doesn't want them doing that for foreign licence validations, so maybe you are SOL, or maybe TC will issue a temporary while your application gets processed.

[Planebloke]

Thanks for that, my mate has only just had a temp license issued whilst going through that process recently but it was a heli cpl, would not think there was much difference. No problem what happens happens, just seeing if I can speed the process, thanks for the replies.

[PointyEngine]

From my experience when converting a foreign ICAO CPL(A) it was more of an initial issue, rather than a conversion. All the hours were recognized, such as was my MEIR (Multi Engine Instrument rating). I had to write the PSTAR, CPL Written and INRAT prior to doing a initial CPL flight test, and a class 1 IFR ride.

I had to option of getting a foreign license validation for PPL, however CPL required the "full hog". My advice would be submit all the paperwork, and if you need get a temporary license from TC emailed through until your booklet arrives. The temporary license is only available once they have processed you request for a Canuck license. This was also three years ago...

[Planebloke]

Thanks for your reply, I will try very hard to get a temp but if it's a no go then a bit of a holiday is in order to meet some operators and do some fishing.

[PointyEngine]

Sounds like a plan. Took around three weeks for my Booklet to arrive, seemed pretty damn quick.

[digits_]

I was in a similar situation and did not get a temporary license for my CPL. I flew on my foreign validation license during my whole training. When I did my FI rating for example, nothing could be signed off, so I had to wait for my "real" license to be mailed.

I am afraid you will be out of luck indeed.


You could always try to contact a few different TC offices. Only one has to say yes...

[Colonel Sanders]

I think people here misunderstand what a
"temporary" (90 day) document is.

If you pay your $40 over the phone on your
VISA card, it does NOT mean that you get
to skip the process of having your paperwork
approved. Nor does it imply that your paperwork
is going to the head of the line, for your massive
$40 payment.

A temp is merely a paper representation of
what is already in TC's computer system.

This is generally only useful if you have lost
your paperwork. It does NOT instantly create
new qualifications.

[New_PIC]

I imagine it's the same sort of thing as the 90 day paper I got when I completed the PPL flight and written tests. At that point I had completed all the requirements to be licensed. Once you are already approved and legal, the temporary paper is just a quick document to hold while they produce the fancy booklet with a picture.

[Colonel Sanders]

Actually, no. What you are describing is what
an AP does at an FTU.

When the AP (for example) signs off your SPP
with PPL privileges, TC has not yet seen the
paperwork, and might not process it for months.

However, TC trusts the AP to do his job right.

This has absolutely nothing with getting a "temp"
from TC, which is useful AFTER TC has processed
the paperwork and entered your new qualifications
into their computer, but BEFORE the booklet or
sticker arrives at your doorstep.

Not sure I'm making much sense on this, but I've
been doing it for 18 years now.

[New_PIC]

I'd like to try to explain my thought further. I'm not trying to argue here, this is just how I interpreted what everyone was saying above. That's the full extent of my knowledge on foreign licenses. What I was getting at is that it seems like once TC is satisfied that their standards have been met, then they'll recognize a temporary paper document for 90 days.

As you say, for a domestic license they trust the AP's word even if they still have to process all the paperwork. The AP upholds TC's standards so the AP can sign off on the SPP. A foreign license is not issued under their control so TC wants to evaluate and approve all the paperwork before they are satisfied that their standards have been met. In that case, the paper has to be issued by TC after their approval.

In both cases the paper is good for 90 days once it's been authorized. As you also said, the paper does not create a qualification, in both cases it just documents that the qualification standard has been met.

[Planebloke]

Thanks for all the input, sounds like with the right AP and flying school and the wind behind you you may get some sort of validation/temp approval, but it is what it is, I can only ask, fill in the right forms and cross my fingers I guess. Cheers