Needing help Converting to a TCCA ATPL-A as a Immigrant.

[jrdjoya]

Hello, I am a former Captain for PALExpress, an airline in the Philippines. I have a valid CAAP ATPL and am rated for the DHC8-400 and sadly was part of the retrenchment program for Philippine Airlines last February 2021. I have roughly 2800 hours on the DHC8-400 and I am currently located in Edmonton and would soon be petitioned to be a Permanent Resident here in Canada. I am currently looking into transferring my valid ATPL license into a TCCA license as I would love to still try and pursue a career in aviation.

I would just like to gather any information in this forum I could use on this topic. I have sent a couple of emails to local flying schools in the area and also to Transport Canada and have received responses from them. Regulations state that I would be required a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate along with my license, and would have to complete a couple of exams and a skill test for the conversion.

My concern is that I do not have a valid Class 1 Medical certificate with my ATPL and also am not current. Does TCCA require me to have a medical certificate that is issued by the same issuing authority of my license, or would I be able to apply for a Class 1 TCCA medical for this purpose? Also I am currently rated for the DHC8-400 only and would not be able to do recurrency on the aircraft cause of the possible expense it would cost. Would it be possible for me to be trained and then be rated by a TCCA Check pilot, for a Multi-engine aircraft that could be used for the skill test? Or would I have to get current and get an aircraft rating from the issuing authority of my license?

I was wondering if there are other people here who have gone through the same thing about and would love to hear your story as to how you got back to flying. Any information and help in this matter is well appreciated.

Safe Skies everyone, Thanks!

[digits_]

You need a Canadian medical and the Canadian required experience to issue an ATPL.

Requirements: https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-servi ... ars#421_34

I believe it's even irrelevant you hold a Philippine ATPL.

[Big Pistons Forever]

I would suggest you ask Transport Canada directly. Send an e-mail to aviation.pnr@tc.gc.ca describing your situation and what you want. Make sure you provide your full contact information.

[crpilot]

https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licens ... ts#airline

The link above describes the process for converting a foreign ATPL to a Canadian ATPL.
You do not require a valid Phillipine medical, you must obtain a Canadian Category 1 medical from a Canadian Civil Aviation Medical Examiner.
Your skill test is the same as for a Group 1 (Multi-engine) IFR Rating. It can be completed in any multi-engine aircraft (non-centreline thrust). This would be completed most economically at a flight school that offers this type of training. You do not need a type rating for these aircraft, as they are covered under the blanket multi-engine rating. A Canadian instructor can provide this training to you. Unfortunately, your DHC8-400 rating will likely not be converted. However, if you do obtain employment with a Canadian operator, this training will be provided to you. There may be a training bond associated with this expense, which would require you to remain employed with that operator for a certain length of time (usually 2 years), or to pay it off.

[jjma]

Hello,

I had a similar situation moving to Canada (just without the Dash 8 rating and the ATPL license... hahaha)
I moved with a CPL and then converted it to a Canadian one. You don't need to have a valid medical certificate in your country to get ready for the flight test, unless you are short of some hours or if regulations are different and have to do SOLO time without having a Canadian license.

When I moved here had about 400TT and did my conversion through a school. I was flying without a valid medical certificate with an instructor but I was asked to do my 300 nm cross country again because in my home country I did it as a triangular route and here is 300nm straight line.

To go solo on the plane I had to apply for a FOREIGN LICENCE VALIDATION CERTIFICATE (FLVC) with transport Canada. Which basically allows you to fly with your foreign licence privileges in Canada (it was super easy, just send your documents) BUT, for this validation you need to have a valid medical certificate from the foreign country.

FLVC LINK:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/foreign-licence ... rtificates

I would say check the requirements for ATP in the CARs website and check that you comply with all of them.

Hope this help

SAFE FLYING TO EVERYONE

[jrdjoya]

I would suggest you ask Transport Canada directly. Send an e-mail to aviation.pnr@tc.gc.ca describing your situation and what you want. Make sure you provide your full contact information.

Hi! thanks for this! I have already communicated with them and they have provided me with the requirements for the transfer, I understand that every case has its own unique circumstances, I also asked them for clarifications in regard to my situation and am hoping to hear from them soon!.

https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licens ... ts#airline

The link above describes the process for converting a foreign ATPL to a Canadian ATPL.
You do not require a valid Phillipine medical, you must obtain a Canadian Category 1 medical from a Canadian Civil Aviation Medical Examiner.
Your skill test is the same as for a Group 1 (Multi-engine) IFR Rating. It can be completed in any multi-engine aircraft (non-centreline thrust). This would be completed most economically at a flight school that offers this type of training. You do not need a type rating for these aircraft, as they are covered under the blanket multi-engine rating. A Canadian instructor can provide this training to you. Unfortunately, your DHC8-400 rating will likely not be converted. However, if you do obtain employment with a Canadian operator, this training will be provided to you. There may be a training bond associated with this expense, which would require you to remain employed with that operator for a certain length of time (usually 2 years), or to pay it off.

Wow! This is super helpful for me! I understand that my DHC8-400 rating might not be converted too, but it was super helpful to know that I would not be needing a rating for a multi-engine aircraft that would be used for the check. Hopefully I would be able to get a validation in order to train for an aircraft that I can use for the skill test when the time comes.

Hello,

I had a similar situation moving to Canada (just without the Dash 8 rating and the ATPL license... hahaha)
I moved with a CPL and then converted it to a Canadian one. You don't need to have a valid medical certificate in your country to get ready for the flight test, unless you are short of some hours or if regulations are different and have to do SOLO time without having a Canadian license.

When I moved here had about 400TT and did my conversion through a school. I was flying without a valid medical certificate with an instructor but I was asked to do my 300 nm cross country again because in my home country I did it as a triangular route and here is 300nm straight line.

To go solo on the plane I had to apply for a FOREIGN LICENCE VALIDATION CERTIFICATE (FLVC) with transport Canada. Which basically allows you to fly with your foreign licence privileges in Canada (it was super easy, just send your documents) BUT, for this validation you need to have a valid medical certificate from the foreign country.

FLVC LINK:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/foreign-licence ... rtificates

I would say check the requirements for ATP in the CARs website and check that you comply with all of them.

Hope this help

SAFE FLYING TO EVERYONE

Hi! thanks for this! That was a great experience to have, happy to hear you have completed your conversion! I think I should also get a valid medical certificate from my country cause I would most likely need to get trained on a Multi-engine aircraft that would be used for the skill test when the time comes. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many bumps along the road for me.

BTW were you still current when you had your conversion done here in Canada? Or did you have to fly here to be current again?

[jjma]

Hi! thanks for this! That was a great experience to have, happy to hear you have completed your conversion! I think I should also get a valid medical certificate from my country cause I would most likely need to get trained on a Multi-engine aircraft that would be used for the skill test when the time comes. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many bumps along the road for me.

BTW were you still current when you had your conversion done here in Canada? Or did you have to fly here to be current again?

Yes, I would say do it!, In case you are ask for extra time on something ( it's incredible how picky the process can be). "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

I was current when I was doing my conversion. But, even if you are not current before the flight test you're going to do some flying to be up to Canadian standards; It took me about 10 to 15 hours including the mock test on a C172.

[jrdjoya]

Hi! thanks for this! That was a great experience to have, happy to hear you have completed your conversion! I think I should also get a valid medical certificate from my country cause I would most likely need to get trained on a Multi-engine aircraft that would be used for the skill test when the time comes. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many bumps along the road for me.

BTW were you still current when you had your conversion done here in Canada? Or did you have to fly here to be current again?

Yes, I would say do it!, In case you are ask for extra time on something ( it's incredible how picky the process can be). "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

I was current when I was doing my conversion. But, even if you are not current before the flight test you're going to do some flying to be up to Canadian standards; It took me about 10 to 15 hours including the mock test on a C172.

That's good to know! And I would rather train for a bit before getting to a skill test. Thanks again for your feedback!