Foreign Licence Conversion

 (Commercial Pilot Licence Course with credit for previous ICAO CPL(H) Licence)

This course is offered to holders of a Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence (CPL(H)), Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL(H)), or Instrument Rating valid in an ICAO country other than Canada. On successful completion, the pilot will be granted a Canadian Commercial Licence.

Courses are held monthly and are usually limited to a maximum of 4 participants. A completed application form and a $1000.00 deposit are required to reserve a space on course. This deposit must be received prior to the issue of an acceptance letter for visa purposes. Please note that you are not permitted to work in Canada on a student visa.

Course Dates    2007 - 2008

November 19, 2007 - Limited Availability

December 2007 - Course not offered

January 7, 2008 - Available

February 4, 2008 - Available

March 3, 2008 - Limited Availability

April 7, 2008 - Limited Availability

May 5, 008 - Available

June 2, 2008 - Available

July 7, 2008 - Available

August 2008 - Course not offered

September 8, 2008 - Available

October 6, 2008 - Available

November 3, 2008 - Available

December 2008 - Course not offered

All prices are in Canadian Dollars

Course Cost :

Ground School

Ground school costs will vary depending on how much one-on-one time is required. An average pilot who is current in their own country can expect to spend between $600.00 and $1200.00 CAD for the ground portion of the training.

Flight Training

Again the amount of training required will vary depending on the currency level of the student. The average pilot requires between 4 to 10 hours of flying including the flight test. Therefore the cost could range from $2000.00 to $4800.00 CAD for the flight portion of the training.

The average cost for the entire course is approximately $3000.00 to $4000.00 CAD.

You are also advised to allow approximately $800.00 CAD for licensing, flight test, and examination fees to be paid to Transport Canada.

Living Expenses

Please remember that you will require funds to cover your living and transportation expenses for the duration of your training course.

Course duration :

10 days to four weeks depending on your level of currency. Allow 1 week to 10 days extra if you wish to convert your instrument rating as well.

  You must hold a valid CAT 1 Canadian medical certificate prior to being permitted to take any of the exams. Usually the best way to handle this, is to have us pre-book your medical examinations for soon after your arrival to allow sufficient time for processing, while you continue to study for the exams. To avoid delays, it is also suggested that you bring copies of any special medical testing and assessment reports that support any unusual medical conditions previously approved by your country's aviation medical system.

Course contents :

Ground Training

• Review of Canadian Air Regulations
• Review of Meteorology
• Review of basic and radio navigation techniques
• Review of Canadian commercial operational requirements
• Review of theory of flight for helicopters
• Review of basic attitude instrument flying procedures

Flight Training

• Review of the flight maneuvers required on the Canadian commercial flight test
• Orientation regarding local geography and ATC structure
• Attitude instrument flying refresher
• Practice flight test

Course Requirements :

The student must hold a valid commercial helicopter pilot licence of another ICAO country. Please note that Transport Canada will not currently recognize military flight time from applicants who do not already hold a civil licence.

The Canadian Commercial Licence requires 10 hours of dual instrument flight received from a certified flight instructor:

• 5 hours must be in a helicopter
• 5 hours may be in an airplane or approved flight simulator

Instrument time or night flight time received during training that was not subsequently recognized in the country of training through the issue of a rating or licence may not be recognized by Transport Canada toward the issue of a Canadian licence or rating. 

It is imperative that you bring the following documentation with you to Canada:

• all certified log books (and military training records, if applicable), not just the current logbook! ... since review of the record of initial flight training is required by Transport Canada 
• valid commercial helicopter pilot licence
• valid medical, and supporting medical reports for any unusual conditions
• proof of citizenship

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