U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Conversion Process for Pilot Certificates in Accordance with the Implementation Procedures for Licensing as Part of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement Between the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil Aviation Authority for Pilot Licensing Date: 11/12/24 AC No: 61-135A Initiated by: AFS-800 Change: 1
1. PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC). This AC provides the procedure and eligibility requirements for a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) pilot license holder converting to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate and an outline of the procedures and eligibility requirements for an FAA pilot certificate holder converting to a TCCA pilot license. Pilots who are licensed by TCCA and comply with the special conditions listed within the Implementation Procedures for Licensing (IPL) are considered to be eligible for the associated FAA pilot certificate for airplane and/or rotorcraft–helicopter at the private, commercial, and airline transport pilot (ATP) levels, including associated instrument ratings and applicable pilot type ratings. The procedure describes the FAA’s conditions for a TCCA pilot license conversion, the application process including required information, and considerations for exercising the privileges of an FAA pilot certificate. Adherence to this AC provides an acceptable method by which the FAA may convert a TCCA pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
2. PRINCIPAL CHANGES. This change incorporates information from Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 3 subpart C, requiring any individual who has a foreign address and no U.S. physical address of record on file with the FAA to designate a U.S. agent for service if they apply for a certificate, rating, or authorization issued under 14 CFR part 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, or 107, or hold a certificate, rating, or authorization issued under any of these parts.
This change also adds a reference showing where to find information on how to designate a U.S. agent for service and specifies that FAA Form Aeronautical Center (AC) 8060-71 can only be submitted via the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by mail to the Airmen Certification Branch when applying to convert a TCCA pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate.
PAGE CONTROL CHART Remove Pages Dated Insert Pages Dated Pages i (and ii) thru iii (and iv) 5/15/15 Pages i thru ii 11/12/24 Pages 1 thru 3 5/15/15 Pages 1 thru 4 11/12/24 Pages 6 thru 19 5/15/15 Pages 6 thru 19 11/12/24 Page 21 (and 22) 5/15/15 Page 22 11/12/24 Appendix 1, Page 11 5/15/15 Appendix 1, Page 11 11/12/24 R obert M. Ruiz for Lawrence Fields Executive Director, Flight Standards Service
U.
S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Conversion Process for Pilot Certificates in Accordance with the Implementation Procedures for Licensing as Part of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement Between the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil Aviation Authority for Pilot Licensing Date: 5/15/15 AC No: 61-135A Initiated by: AFS-800 Change:
This advisory circular (AC) provides the procedure and eligibility requirements for a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) pilot license holder converting to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate and an outline of the procedures and eligibility requirements for an FAA pilot certificate holder converting to a TCCA pilot license. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
CONTENTS Paragraph Page
1. Purpose of This Advisory Circular (AC)1
2. Audience1
3. Where You Can Find This AC1
4. What This AC Cancels1
5. Related CFR Parts1
6. Definitions1
7. Related Reading Material2
8. Background4
9. Conditions5
10. Contact Information6
11. Eligibility Requirements for Converting a TCCA Pilot License to an FAA
Pilot Certificate7
12. Administrative Procedure to Convert a TCCA Pilot License to an FAA
Pilot Certificate12
13. Currency Requirements for Exercising the Privileges of an FAA Pilot Certificate16
14. Administrative Procedure to Convert an FAA Pilot Certificate for a TCCA
Pilot License16
T able 1. Medical Validity Periods (T CCA)16
15. Eligibility Requirements of Converting an FAA Pilot Certificate to a TCCA
Pilot License17
16. Currency Requirements for Exercising the Privileges of a TCCA-Issued
Pilot License21
17. AC Feedback Form22
APPENDIX 1. EXCERPT OF CONDITIONS FOR CONVERSION (TAKEN F
ROM THE IPL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FAA
AND TCCA) (16 pages)1
APPENDIX 2. EXCERPT OF SPECIAL CONDITIONS (TAKEN FROM CH
APTER III OF THE IPL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FAA
AND TCCA) (2 pages)1
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1. PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC). This AC provides the procedure and eligibility requirements for a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) pilot license holder converting to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate and an outline of the procedures and eligibility requirements for an FAA pilot certificate holder converting to a TCCA pilot license. Pilots who are licensed by TCCA and comply with the special conditions listed within the Implementation Procedures for Licensing (IPL) are considered to be eligible for the associated FAA pilot certificate for airplane and/or rotorcraft–helicopter at the private, commercial, and airline transport pilot (ATP) levels, including associated instrument ratings and applicable pilot type ratings. The procedure describes the FAA’s conditions for a TCCA pilot license conversion, the application process including required information, and considerations for exercising the privileges of an FAA pilot certificate. Adherence to this AC provides an acceptable method by which the FAA may convert a TCCA pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
2. AUDIENCE. This AC is intended for persons converting a TCCA pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate.
3. WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS AC. You can find this AC on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov.
4. WHAT THIS AC CANCELS. AC 61-135, Conversion Procedures and Processes for FAA Pilot Certificates and TCCA Pilot Licenses, dated December 5, 2006, is canceled.
5. RELATED CFR PARTS. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 subparts A, B, E, F, and G.
6. DEFINITIONS.
a. Authorized Examiner. An individual that has been designated by a local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and is familiar with the process contained in this AC, as determined by the aviation safety inspector (ASI) with oversight responsibilities of the individual.
b. Conversion. The issuance of an FAA pilot certificate on the basis of a TCCA pilot license in accordance with the provisions of the IPL as part of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between the United States of America and Canada.
c. Currency. An activity that an FAA pilot must complete in order to exercise the privileges of the appropriate airman certificate, rating, endorsement, or authorization issued in accordance with part 61, which is specific to the operation or activity being conducted. For detailed guidance, airmen should refer to part 61, §§ 61.56, 61.57, and 61.58.
d. Night Rating. A rating attached to a TCCA pilot license with the privilege of operating an associated aircraft during visual flight rules (VFR) conditions at night. The night rating is issued without an expiration date.
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e. Special Conditions. The additional requirements that have been found not to be common to both the FAA and TCCA systems and are significant enough to be addressed in this IPL. The special conditions are set forth in Chapter III of the IPL.
f. Valid Pilot License or Pilot Certificate. A license or certificate that is not under an order of revocation, cancellation, or suspension, and, in the case of a TCCA license, has not expired.
7. RELATED READING MATERIAL.
a. FAA Documents (current editions):
(1) AC 60-28, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107. Stakeholders can find assistance in determining English language skills required for airman certification under parts 61, 63, 65, and 107.
(2) AC 61-98, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check. This AC provides information for FAA-certificated pilots and flight instructors to use in complying with the flight review requirements prescribed in § 61.56 and the recent flight experience requirements of § 61.57.
(3) AC 61-138, Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program. This AC provides the aeronautical knowledge that must be obtained by the applicant in order to meet the prerequisites for an ATP knowledge test that is taken after July 31, 2014.
(4) FAA Form Aeronautical Center (AC) 8060-71, Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification. All pilots must use the form for initiating a verification of authenticity prior to converting a TCCA-issued pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate at https://www.faa.gov/forms/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1 86251.
(5) FAA Pilot Certification Frequently Asked Questions. The FAA’s website provides stakeholders the ability to review questions that have been previously posed to the FAA at https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification.
(6) FAA Medical Certification Information. The FAA’s website provides stakeholders the ability to review information related to medical certification as prescribed in 14 CFR part 67 at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification.
(7) The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). All pilots operating in the U.S.
National Airspace System (NAS) are encouraged to review the information contained in the AIM at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/.
(8) FAA Training and Testing Information. The FAA’s website provides all pilots useful training handbooks, knowledge test guides, and a listing of FAA knowledge test center locations at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing.
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(9) FAA FSDO Locations. The FAA’s website provides all stakeholders information regarding the FAA’s FSDO locations at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo.
b. TCCA Documents (current editions):
(1) Transport Publication (TP) 690, Study and Reference Guide for Written Examinations for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence Aeroplane. Found at https://tc.canada.c a/en/aviation/publications/study-reference-guide-written-examinations-airline-transport-pilotlicence-aeroplane-tp-690.
(2) TP 691, Study and Reference Guide for the Written Examinations for the Instrument Rating – Aeroplane and Helicopter. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publ ications/tp-691e-study-reference-guide-written-examinations-instrument-rating-aeroplanehelicopter.
(3) TP 11919, Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Aviation Regulations. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/studen t-pilot-permit-private-pilot-licence-foreign-military-applicants-aviation-regulations-tp-11919.
(4) TP 12880, Study and Reference Guide for Written Examinations for the Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/studyreference-guide-written-examinations-private-pilot-licence-aeroplane-tp-12880.
(5) TP 12881, Study and Reference Guide for Written Examinations for the Commercial Pilot Licence Aeroplane. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/st udy-reference-guide-written-examinations-commercial-pilot-licence-aeroplane-tp-12881.
(6) TP 13014, Civil Aviation Sample Examination Recreational Pilot Permit and Private Pilot Licence Aeroplane. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/civilaviation-sample-examination-recreational-pilot-permit-private-pilot-licence-aeroplane-tp-13014.
(7) TP 13524, Study and Reference Guide for Written Examination for the Type Rating for Two Crew Aeroplane or Cruise Relief Pilot (IATRA). Found at https://tc.canada.c a/en/aviation/publications/study-reference-guide-written-examination-type-rating-two-crewaeroplane-cruise-relief-pilot-iatra-tp-13524.
(8) Pilot Licensing Information. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensingpilots-personnel/flight-crew-licences-permits-ratings.
(9) Application for Verification and Conversion of an FAA Pilot Certificate. Found at https://www.tc.gc.ca/wwwdocs/Forms/26-0702_0906-03_BO.pdf.
(10) Medical Certification Questions. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/medicalfitness-aviation.
(11) Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM). Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/transport-canada-aeronautical-information-manualtc-aim-tp-14371.
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(12) Study and Reference Guides as Well as Sample Examinations. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-p ilots-personnel/flight-crew-licences-permitsratings/how-book-flight-crew-exam.
(13) Transport Canada Centre (TCC) Locations. Found at https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/civil-aviation-contacts-offices.
8. BACKGROUND.
a. Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA). The United States of America and Canada established a BASA that was intended to facilitate the acceptance of various aspects of each country’s aviation safety oversight systems. This agreement provides, in part, that the FAA and TCCA will pursue mutual cooperation in the evaluation and acceptance of one another’s system and standards for the issuance of certificates and licenses. Upon mutual satisfaction with these systems, the agreement provides that the authorities shall execute these procedures for the conversion of pilot certificates and licenses for the benefit of the users of those systems.
b. Implementation Procedures for Licensing (IPL). The BASA established a need for the FAA and TCCA to develop a supporting technical agreement. The IPL is the technical annex to the BASA that addresses pilot licensing procedures. This technical annex to the agreement permits pilots holding certain certificates or licenses from either country to obtain a license or certificate from the other country if certain requirements are met. In order to execute an IPL, the BASA requires the FAA and TCCA to first evaluate one another’s pilot licensing standards and procedures and compare them to their own to determine what, if any, additional requirements would be necessary to assure that the pilots are in compliance with their own standards. This task was completed, and the associated IPL contains special conditions that an applicant must meet to be issued a pilot certificate/license; however, the initial IPL was limited in scope. The initial IPL scope was limited to the holders of FAA pilot certificates and TCCA pilot licenses in the airplane category at the private, commercial, and ATP levels of certificates or licenses. The following ratings or qualifications were also included: class ratings of Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) and Airplane Multiengine Land (AMEL), airplane instrument rating, certain airplane pilot type ratings for which the same type rating existed in both the U.S. and Canada, and night qualification.
c. Expansion of the IPL Agreement. In 2014, the FAA and TCCA further expanded the terms of the IPL to include the airplane category, including all associated classes and the rotorcraft–helicopter category and class rating at the private, commercial, and ATP Certificate/license levels. Additionally, the following ratings or qualifications are included in the IPL: instrument rating, type ratings, and night qualification addressed under part 61 and the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IV. The FAA and TCCA have agreed that they may amend the IPL to allow conversion of other licenses or certificates in the future.
NOTE: Both the BASA and the IPL are located at the following website:
https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/baa _basa_listing.
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d. FAA Regulations. Section 61.71(c) st ates that the FAA may issue a pilot certificate to the holder of a foreign pilot license on the legal basis that the U.S. Government and foreign government have concluded a BASA and an associated IPL.
e. A irline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification Training Program (CTP). In 2013, the FAA published § 61.156, which prescribes the minimum training a pilot must complete in order to obtain an FAA ATP Certificate with an airplane-category multiengine class rating. It requires the ATP CTP to be completed prior to the FAA issuing an ATP Certificate with an airplane-category multiengine class rating to an individual. The ATP CTP includes training in:
aerodynamics, automation, adverse weather conditions, air carrier operations, transport airplane performance, professionalism, and leadership and development. The training program is intended to impart conceptual knowledge through academics, and to consolidate that knowledge through training in a flight simulation training device (FSTD). The training program is designed to provide an applicant for an ATP Certificate with an airplane-category multiengine class rating with the knowledge and competencies required to function effectively as a professional flightcrew member in an air carrier environment.
9. CO NDITIONS.
a. Applicability. These procedures are available to holders of FAA pilot certificates and TCCA pilot licenses in the airplane and/or rotorcraft categories at the private, commercial, and ATP levels of certificates or licenses. The following class ratings or additional ratings are included:
(1) Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL).
(2) Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES).
(3) Airplane Multiengine Land (AMEL).
(4) Airplane Multiengine Sea (AMES).
(5) Rotorcraft-Helicopter.
(6) Instrument-airplane rating.
(7) Instrument-helicopter rating.
(8) Airplane pilot type ratings for which the same type is recognized by the FAA and TCCA.
(9) Helicopter pilot type ratings for which the same type is recognized by the FAA and TCCA.
(10) Night qualifications addressed under part 61 and CARs Part IV.
NOTE: Pilot certificates/licenses and ratings issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license are not eligible for conversion under the pilot
Par 9 Page 6 certification/licensing conversion procedures. For example, if a citizen of the United Kingdom received a TCCA pilot license as part of a conversion process, the TCCA license would have been issued on the basis of the United Kingdom pilot license, and therefore would not be eligible for conversion to an FAA pilot certificate.
NOTE: FAA type rating designations may be found on the following website: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification.
TCCA type rating designations may be found on the following website:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/licensing-pilot s-personnel/flight-crewlicences-permits-ratings/aircraft-type-designation-licensing.
b. Surrender. Under this conversion procedure, an FAA-certificated pilot choosing to convert their FAA pilot certificate to a TCCA pilot license is not required to surrender the FAA pilot certificate. Likewise, a TCCA-licensed pilot choosing to convert their TCCA pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate is not required to surrender the TCCA pilot license.
c. Simultaneous Possession. It is possible, and likely, that the pilot may simultaneously hold an FAA pilot certificate and a TCCA pilot license, and will thus need to meet the recency and operational requirements of both the FAA and TCCA to exercise the privileges of the applicable license or certificate in each respective country.
10. CONTACT INFORMATION. The following FAA and TCCA offices are responsible for administering this pilot conversion process.
a. FAA Certificates. Questions pertaining to pilot certification issues for converting Canadian pilot licenses to FAA pilot certificates:
General Aviation and Commercial Division 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 USA Email: 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov Civil Aviation Registry Division P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 USA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI); Aerospace Medical Certification Division P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 USA
b. TCCA Licenses. Questions pertaining to pilot licensing issues for converting FAA pilot certificates to TCCA pilot licenses:
Personnel Licensing (AARRB) Tower C Place de Ville, 6th floor, Area D 330 Sparks St.
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N5 Canada
Par 10 Page 7 Telephone: 1-613-993-9456 Fax: 1-613-990-6215 Civil Aviation Medicine (AARG) Tower C Place de Ville, 6th floor, Area B 330 Sparks St.
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 0N5 Canada Telephone: 1-613-990-1311 Fax: 1-613-990-6623
11. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CONVERTING A TCCA PILOT LICENSE TO AN FAA PILOT CERTIFICATE.
a. Private Pilot Certificate. Appendix 1, Table 1 or 6, as appropriate, lists the conditions for a private pilot conversion.
(1) C onversion. For a TCCA private pilot license (PPL) holder to convert their PPL to an FAA Private Pilot Certificate with an ASEL, AMEL, ASES, AMES, or Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating, the applicant must:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age.
(b) Hold at least an FAA third-class medical certificate.
(c) Hold a TCCA PPL with ASEL, AMEL, ASES, AMES, or Helicopter ratings as appropriate for the rating sought. The license must not have been issued on the basis of another foreign license (see subparagraph 9a).
(d) Provide evidence of pilot-in-command (PIC) flight time in the aircraft category and class for which the applicant is seeking.
(e) Pass the FAA Private Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion or Private Pilot Helicopter Canadian Conversion (as appropriate) knowledge test. The appropriate test codes can be found in the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix located at https://www.faa.gov/training _testing/testing/testing_matrix.
NOTE: Only the knowledge tests that are named specifically as Canadian Conversion are authorized to be utilized for the conversion of a TCCA license to an FAA certificate. These tests have been specifically designed to test the differences between the TCCA and FAA rules pertaining to air law and communications. Other versions (such as full versions) of knowledge tests for the certificate or rating sought are not authorized for use by an airman converting a TCCA license to an FAA certificate. ASIs, aviation safety technicians (AST), or Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) processing the conversion application must refer to the testing matrix in subparagraph (e) above to determine which test code corresponds to the appropriate Canadian Conversion knowledge test.
Par 11 Page 8 NOTE: No additional practical test is required.
(f) Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. The TCCA pilot license must contain an English proficiency endorsement. Detailed information pertaining to English language skill standards can be found in AC 60-28.
(2) Limitations. If the applicant does not hold a TCCA night qualification, or meet FAA night experience requirements, the FAA will issue the pilot certificate with the limitation “Day VFR Only.”
b. Commercial Pilot Certificate. Appendix 1, Table 2 or 7, as appropriate, lists the conditions for a commercial pilot conversion.
(1) Conversion. For a TCCA commercial pilot license (CPL) holder to convert their CP L to an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with an ASEL, AMEL, ASES, AMES, or Rotorcraft–Helicopter rating, the applicant must:
(a) Be at least 18 years of age.
(b) Hold at least an FAA third-class medical certificate.
(c) Hold a TCCA CPL with ASEL, AMEL, ASES, AMES, or Helicopter ratings as appropriate for the rating sought. The license must not have been issued on the basis of another foreign license (see subparagraph 9a). Additionally, if the applicant is seeking a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating, the TCCA CPL cannot be limited to Day VFR Only for conversion.
(d) Have logged a minimum of 250 hours flight time (in any aircraft) and have a L andplane rating on the TCCA CPL, if applying for an airplane category rating.
(e) Have logged a minimum of 150 hours flight time (in any aircraft) with 50 hours in helicopters and have a Helicopter rating on the TCCA CPL for the Rotorcraft–Helicopter rating, or hold a TCCA ATP License (ATPL)–Helicopter that does not have the instrument rating endorsement (i.e., Group IV) if applying for a Rotorcraft–Helicopter rating.
(f) Provide evidence of PIC flight time in the aircraft category and class for which the applicant is seeking.
(g) Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion or Commercial Pilot Helicopter Canadian Conversion (as appropriate) knowledge test. The appropriate test codes can be found in the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix located at https://www.faa.go v/training_testing/testing/testing_matrix.
NOTE: Only the knowledge tests that are named specifically as Canadian Conversion are authorized to be utilized for the conversion of a TCCA license to an FAA certificate. These tests have been specifically designed to test the differences between the TCCA and FAA rules pertaining to air law and communications. Other versions (such as full versions) of knowledge tests for the certificate or rating sought are not authorized for use by an