If you hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Airman certificate and want to fly for hire or reward in Canada, you must convert your licence to a Canadian Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (ATPL-A). This process requires meeting specific medical, knowledge, experience, and skill requirements outlined in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part VI, Subpart 1 – Flight Crew Permits, Licences, and Ratings.
Each licence conversion is unique and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. However, the following outlines the general requirements for FAA ATPL holders:
Eligibility for FAA ATPL to Canadian ATPL-A Conversion
To qualify for conversion, an applicant must:
- Hold a valid FAA Airline Transport Pilot airman certificate with aeroplane category and multi-engine land (AMEL) or multi-engine sea (AMES) class rating.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Have at least 900 hours of total flight time in aeroplanes.
- Hold a Transport Canada Category 1 medical certificate.
- Be able to read, write, and communicate in English or French.
Note: FAA ATP airman certificate holders with a single-engine land (ASEL) or single-engine sea (ASES) class rating are not eligible for a Transport Canada ATPL. They may, however, qualify for a Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) under different conditions (see CARs Section 6.2).
FAA ATPL to Canadian ATPL-A Conversion Requirements:
Medical Fitness Requirement
- Undergo a Canadian Aviation Medical Examination and obtain a Category 1 medical certificate.
- More details: Medical Fitness for Aviation.
Knowledge Requirement
- Pass the Conversion – Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (FAAAA) written examination.
- This exam covers Canadian Air Law and Communication Procedures.
- Enroll in our FAAAA Exam Prep Course below
Experience Requirement
- Provide logbook evidence demonstrating a minimum of 900 total flight hours in aeroplanes.
- Note: Flight Engineer time is not credited towards the required experience.
Skill Requirement
- Must have passed an FAA Instrument Proficiency Check in accordance with 14 CFR §61.57(d)(1) and (2).
- The check must have been completed in an aeroplane or an approved flight simulator (FSTD) within 24 months prior to application.
Pass Your FAA ATPL Aeroplane (FAAAA) Written Exam
Don’t waste time struggling with Canadian aviation law & procedures—our FAAAA Exam Prep course gives you expert guidance, proven study materials, and real practice questions to pass confidently.
Allow us to help streamline your conversion process.
Submitting Your ATPL-A Application
Once all requirements have been met, submit the following to Transport Canada:
- Licence Application Forms: Apply via Canada.ca.
- Aviation Document Booklet Application Form: Download here: Aviation Document Form.
- Certified True Copy/Notarized Copy of Passport: Proof of name, age, and citizenship.
- Certified True Copy/Notarized Copy of FAA Licence.
- Verified Copy or Original Logbook(s): To verify flight experience.
- Proof of Foreign Citizenship and Age: Acceptable documents listed in CARs Standard 421, section 421.06, para. (1) and (2).
- Fee Payment: Pay per CARs 104.01, Schedule IV: CARs Regulations.
- Payment can be made online via Canada Payment Portal or by phone at +1 (877) 494-4744.
Document Verification & Processing Time
- Original documents can be verified by Transport Canada personnel. Contact your regional office to book an appointment.
- Processing time is up to 40 business days after a complete application is received.
By following these steps, FAA ATP airman certificate holders can successfully convert their licence to a Canadian ATPL-A and operate as professional airline pilots in Canada under Transport Canada regulations.
