Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
1. Medical
First and foremost, the Canadian Category One Medical must be completed. Without a valid medical, you cannot write any of the exams or attempt any flight test. Although there are Transport Canada Aviation Medical Examiners (CAME’s) in the US and other countries, we recommend that you do the medical exam in Canada if possible to avoid possible delays.


2. Written Exams
There will be three written exams to successfully complete:
- SARON (ATPL Regulations, Operations, and Navigation)
- SAMRA (ATPL Meteorology and Radio Aids)
- INRAT (Instrument Rating Exam)
A pass mark of at least 70% will be required on each of the exams. As is indicated on the Seminar page, we regularly offer comprehensive courses for all of the above.
3. The Flight Test
With respect to the flight test, if the candidate has acquired a minimum of 50 hours Multi-Engine PIC over the last 12 months (proved and certified in valid log book) you will only have to undertake one flight test. This will be a Multi-Engine IFR Flight Test with one precision approach, one non-precision approach and a holding pattern. This flight test can be conducted at our Boundary Bay or Victoria offices.
If you have not gained the 50 hours Multi PIC hours over the last year, you will also have to do a Multi-Engine VFR Flight Test. There is no way around it, these are the rules.


4. Certified Logbooks and Licenses
By all means leave nothing to chance with respect to the “paperwork shuffle”. Like most Government agencies, Transport Canada will want to see proof of your hours and experience by a stamped and certified logbook. Airline records and computer printouts also help in extenuating circumstances.
I would like to have my current ratings applied to my Canadian ATPL. How can I do this?
Provided that you have documented proof of training and successful completion of a Pilot Proficiency Check on the specific equipment within the last 12 months, Transport Canada will endorse your ATPL with the specific aircraft on it.
Once again, I caution you, this is not a “given”, you must bring documented proof!