Licence Conversion

Private Pilot Licence Conversion
Here are the steps you must take in order to convert your licence to a Canadian PPL. The steps outlined below are for those that are interested in converting their licence on the basis of a foreign licence. Please note that the steps may be different depending on the country from which you received the PPL.

***For further guidance please visit Transport Canada’s website (Canada’s aviation governing body). It is recommended that you reach out to Transport Canada (TC) to verify your particular conversion process as each country will have different requirements as to what will need to be completed in order to meet Canadian standards. You can email Transport Canada directly at [email protected] 

1. Write the PSTAR exam here at the Brampton Flight Centre. You will need to register as a member to be able to write the PSTAR exam. The PSTAR reference guide for studying. 

– If you are converting your FAA licence, then you can opt to write the FAA Conversion Exam instead of the PSTAR exam.

To study for the PSTAR exam, you will need to acquire the PSTAR study guide, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) from Transport Canada, the Canada Flight Supplement, and the text book From the Ground Up (ISBN 0-9680390). You will also need to refer to the Canadian Aviation Regulations ( CARs) on the Transport Canada website.

2. Write the Canadian Radio Operators exam here at the Brampton Flight Centre. 

3. Complete 5 take-offs and landings within the past 6 months (PIC). Recommended that this is completed prior to coming to Canada.

4. Obtain a Canadian Aviation Medical.  A Transport Canada approved aviation doctor may be located outside of Canada, please check out the Transport Canada examiner website.

5. Ensure you meet the Canadian PPL minimum requirements.

6. In the majority of cases, you will need to pass the Aviation Language Proficiency Demonstration.

7. Fill out the PPL application form

8. Fill out the Aviation Booklet Application form and submit with a valid picture (must be stamped on the back to state the location and the date the picture was taken). The booklet application and photo must be signed by a guarantor and we can be your guarantor if needed.

7. Book an appointment with Transport Canada so that you can meet with them in person to submit your Conversion paperwork. You will need to bring your original documents including your Foreign Licence, Valid Passport, up to date logbook.
*Please note that it can take several months for Transport Canada to cross reference your documents as they will be in contact with your Aviation Authorities for the licence you are looking to convert.

*The total cost for the conversion varies greatly depending on your experience and skills. If you meet the above criteria then your costs will be minimal. If you require additional training, an instructor will be able to give you a better idea after the first flight. It is recommended that you pre-book your PSTAR and ROC exam. The cost for each exam is $75 plus tax. We can accommodate last minute requests for booking appointments for the PSTAR and ROC exam.

*Before exercising the privileges of a converted TCCA pilot licence, the pilot must meet the recency requirements of sections 401.05 and 421.05 of the CARs. Advisory Circular 401-001 section 4.0(2)

Commercial Pilot Licence Conversion
Here are the steps you must take in order to convert your licence to a Canadian CPL. The steps outlined below are for those that are interested in converting their licence on the basis of a foreign licence. Please note that the steps may be different depending on the country from which you received the CPL. Please confer with Transport Canada about the specifics. They can be reached at 416-952-0230.

1. You will need to email Transport Canada (TC) – our Canadian governing authority for aviation licences to confer with your specific needs for the conversion process. Each country will vary and therefore it is best to reach out to directly as they will be the governing body that will issue you your converted licence. You can email them directly at [email protected] 

2. Write the Canadian Radio Operators exam here at the Brampton Flight Centre. ROC Study Guide.

3. Obtain a Canadian Aviation Medical.  Please note that there are Transport Canada approved aviation doctors located outside of Canada.

4. You will need to pass the Transport Canada CPL written exam.  You can contact Transport Canada directly to book your CPL written exam.  List of Transport Canada approved centres.

5. You will need to pass a flight test with a Transport Canada approved examiner. This can be done at our flight school.

6. In the majority of cases, you will need to pass the Aviation Language Proficiency Demonstration.

7. Ensure you meet the Canadian CPL minimum requirements.

8. Fill out the CPL application form.

9. Fill out the Aviation Booklet Application form and submit with a valid picture that has been signed by your guarantor.

10. Submit your application to Transport Canada for CPL conversion. You will need to book an appointment in advance so that you can drop off your certified logbook and other paperwork. To request to book an appointment please email Transport Canada directly at [email protected]  Please note that it can take several months for Transport Canada to cross reference your documents as they will be in contact with your Aviation Authorities for the licence you are looking to convert.

*The total cost for the conversion varies greatly depending on your experience and skills. Keep in mind that you will have to become familiar with a new airport and it is likely that you will have to become familiar with a new aircraft type.

CONVERTING CANADIAN LICENCE INTO A COUNTRY OUTSIDE OF CANADA

If you are going to a Foreign Country to convert your licence, you will need to verify with the country of interest as to their requirements and expectations. We have provided some insight below but direction given from the country authorities supersedes any information provided below:

Australia

  1. For information on how to convert your licence, please refer to the Flight Crew Licencing Manual for all information relevant to your application. (Flight Crew Licensing Manual currently being updated.)

As a general rule, with the exception of private pilots, pilots applicants seeking to convert a foreign licence to an Australian flight crew license must:

  • Pass a CASA exam. Details of the relevant exams for each type of licence conversion are included in the guidance documents listed above.  Additional information on written examination(s) is available on the CASA website.
  • Obtain an Australian medical certificate.
  • Possess or pass an ICAO required (oral) English language proficiency (ELP) assessment. CASA has sole prerogative to determine which overseas ELP to accept. A minimum of ELP level 4 is required.
  • Gain an aviation security status, this is done by passing a security check for either an ASIC or AVID

The examinations/tests mentioned must be completed only in Australia with a person/persons approved by CASA. CASA does not accept nor recognise any foreign theory examination credit.

Malaysia

How do I convert my foreign CPL(A)/ATPL(A) to a Malaysian license?

The conversion terms for each applicant as specified by DCA would take into consideration the following:

  1. The total, type and recent flying experience of the applicant.
  2. The operating capacity (captain/co-pilot) and the aircraft type the applicant has flown.
  3. The aircraft type to be flown by the applicant with the sponsoring Malaysian Air Operator.
  4. The circumstances leading to the issue of the foreign license e.g. the foreign license being issued on the strength of another license, previous military experience, the exemption, if any, granted by the issuing authorities etc.

For detail information, please refer to FOCN (Notice No 3).

Europe

For Holders of an ICAO PPL/CPL & Want to Convert to a EASA ATP

To convert your license as an ICAO PPL holder, you will be required to complete an approved ATPL ground school program with a EASA training provider. Please note that the Brampton Flight Centre is not an EASA training provider. The ground school can be either a full‐time residential program or a distance learning program. The ground school will be typically divided into 3 modules, covering all 14 ATPL subjects. On average, the residential class will take six months to complete and the distance learning program is designed to be completed within 12 months.

For the ICAO PPL Holder:
On completion of passing all 14 ATPL theoretical exams, you will need to complete an EASA Approved course for the commercial pilots license. This is a 25 hour program, followed by a skills test with a EASA examiner. This training and testing is completed in Malta. Before commencing the EASA CPL training, you must have at least 150 hours total time and you will be required to have 5 hours of night (3 hours dual, 1 hour cross‐country and 5 takeoffs and landings). For license issue, you will require 200 hours total time, 100 hours PIC, a 300NM cross‐country flight and a radio telephony license already achieved.

For the ICAO CPL Holder:
On completion of passing all 14 ATPL theoretical exams, you will need to complete a EASA conversion course for the commercial pilots license. Before beginning the training, you must have at least 100 hours PIC. This training is “as required,” and once you have demonstrated satisfactory standards to the chief flight instructor, then you will be able to complete the skills test with a EASA examiner. On completion of the CPL, you will need to pass the EASA instrument rating. It is a 55 hour training program, however if you hold an ICAO instrument rating, you are given a 40 hour exemption from the course, leaving you with a minimum 15 hour conversion, training and preparation for the IR skill test.