INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONVERSION OF CANADIAN LICENCES (TCCA) INTO AMERICAN LICENCES (FAA)

AIR RICHELIEU is the only conversion testing center in the world. Further to the signed agreement between the government of the United States and the government of Canada on the 31st of July 2006, here are the three easy steps needed to convert your Canadian licence (TCCA) into an American licence (FAA)  

ATTENTION: Documents to be presented in 3.1 have changed on October 19th, 2009, please refer to new list of mandatory documents before attending an exam.

1. Obtain a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verifying the authenticity of your Canadian licence; In order to do so, you must:
   1. Fill out form 8060-71 by following the following instructions * and fax it to 405-954-9922;
   2. Provide the location of the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) where you intend to retrieve your licence (If Albany, NY is your chosen FSDO, please note in box 11: ‘Albany FSDO in Latham, NY’;
      1. You will receive your verification of authenticity letter by mail;
      2. This process may take up to 45 days.
2. Obtain an American medical certificate (First Class for an Airline Pilot Licence, Second Class for a Commercial Pilot Licence and a Third Class for a Private Pilot Licence). A list providing names and addresses of all aviation medical examiners (AME) are listed here.
3. Take and pass at AIR RICHELIEU a written examination on air law and communication.
   1. To write the exam you MUST bring with you: your passport, driver's licence, your canadian medical and licence and the letter received in 2.1.
   2. You must obtain a score of minimum 70% on a 40 questions exam;
   3. Subjects to be studied for those exams can be requested by email.

In possession of those three documents, you will be able to take an appointment with your chosen FSDO.

Should the Albany FSDO be the chosen one, please make an appointment with Mrs Colleen M. McGrady. However, before doing so, it is strongly recommended to:

• Email Mrs McGrady the following scanned documents:
  • Your authentification letter received from Oklahoma City;
  • Your written test(s) result(s);
  • Your FAA medical certificate;
  • Your Canadian licence and medical;
  • Las page of your personal log book.
• Fill out section III of the following form 8710-1 so you can save some time on site.

This Airman Certificate (Licence) is a full licence, without any restriction and not based on the basis of your Canadian licence.

All ratings applied on your Canadian airline transport pilot licence (including all type ratings but excluding flight instructor and float) will be transferred on your American airline transport pilot licence.

The instrument rating included on your Canadian commercial licence WILL NOT BE transferred on your American commercial licence; A separate IFR conversion exam must be written.

* NEW: you must have the English proficiency written on your Canadian licence before faxing it along form 8060-71

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mr. Olivier VUVANT.