Learning to fly is one of life's most rewarding adventures. Whether you are considering learning to fly for recreation, or to pursue a career in aviation, you are about to embark on one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences of your life.  Whatever your reasons to fly, Canada is the aviation destination for you!

The Air Transport Association of Canada is proud to represent the finest flying training organizations in Canada.  With approximately 150 flying school members, there is a program and a location to meet any flying requirement.

This information package outlines the steps required to train in Canada.  For pilots looking to build flying hours, or those pilots wanting to do an air tour of Canada, the requirements are even easier. If you have any further questions that are not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact the Air Transport Association of Canada.

To maximize your enjoyment of the experience, you must be certain that you get the good, accurate information that you will require to be a safe, confident pilot. One of the most critical steps in that process will be selecting the right flying school or club.

For those of you who are considering coming to Canada to obtain your flight training, there is no better place in the world to learn to fly. Our licensing standards are widely recognized, our Canadian training standards are second to none, and our airspace is generally far less congested than in the United States and Europe. Couple these facts with the attractive level of exchange on our Canadian currency, and you will be hard-pressed to find a more appealing training environment!

The following information has been prepared by the Air Transport Association of Canada, and is intended to serve as an introduction to aviation and as an aid in selecting the flying school or club that is right for you. We realize that without any aviation experience, and particularly as a foreign student, selecting the right training organization can be a formidable task.

Every year thousands of people from around the world enjoy aviation adventure in Canada.  Several of the advantages that Canada has and that you may consider when deciding upon a school include:

• Very favourable exchange rate.
• Your training costs are almost cut in half.
• North American flight experience.
• Canadian licences are Internationally recognized and Safe, Stable Society

Student Pilots

Prior to investing time and money in the pursuit of a pilot's licence, it is important that you be examined by a civil aviation medical examiner to ensure that you are fit to act as pilot in command of an aircraft. This is always the first step that should be taken.  In order to fly in Canada, you must apply for an Aviation Medical.  Upon successfully passing the exam, Transport Canada will issue you with a medical certificate in addition to your student pilot permit.  This process can take from 2-3 weeks.  Canadian schools cannot issue you a letter of acceptance (step 2) until you have obtained your  medical.

Every ICAO country has medical examiners approved by the Canadian government to conduct pilot medical examinations.  A medical examination may also be conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner designated by the CAA or a Contracting State of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The appropriate medical form may be supplied upon request from Health Canada.  The list of examiners can be found at: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Cam/menu.htm

As a result of the increasing numbers of licensed pilots coming to Canada each year to train for and receive additional licence privileges, Transport Canada will now issue a Limited Term Pilot Licence and Medical Certificate (LTPL/MC) or Limited Term Pilot Licence (LTPL). The LTPL/MC is based on a valid foreign pilot licence and the medical document validating that licence. The LTPL is based on a valid foreign pilot licence.

As a result this will permit foreign pilot licence holders to fly Canadian registered aircraft internationally for private recreational purposes (such as hour building).  The holder of this LTPL/MC or LTPL may act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of any aircraft for the sole purpose of his or her own flight training or flight test.  This document may also be endorsed with additional ratings.

The following conditions are applicable for the issue of a LTPL/MC:

• The foreign licence must have been issued by a Contracting State of ICAO and be valid under the law of the issuing state for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.
• The foreign Medical Certificate must be valid in accordance with Canadian medical standards. (For example: In the case of a pilot who is under 40 years of age, a LTPL/MC shall not be issued if more than 24 months has lapsed since the date of the last medical exam. In the case of a pilot who is 40 years of age or older, no more than 12 months shall have lapsed since the last medical examination.)
• The LTPL/MC validity period shall not exceed 90 days.
• A LTPL/MC may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period.
• There will be a licensing fee.
• There is no requirement for a written examination.
• The LTPL/MC may be endorsed for additional privileges if the required conditions are met.

The following conditions are applicable for the issue of a LTPL:

• The foreign licence must have been issued by a Contracting State of ICAO and be valid under the law of the issuing state for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.
• A Canadian medical conducted by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) and assessed fit in the appropriate category by a Transport Canada Medical Advisor may validate an LTPL.
• The LTPL validity period shall not exceed 90 days.
• A LTPL may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period.
• There will be a licensing fee.
• There is no requirement for a written examination.
• The LTPL may be endorsed for additional privileges if the required conditions are met.

Should you require further information, please contact:

Transport Canada, Safety and Security.
General Aviation, Personnel Licensing
Tel: 1 (613) 990-1058, Fax: 1 (613) 990-6215

An up-to-date listing is available on the Internet at http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Cam/menu.htm

When it comes to choosing a training organization, making hurried decisions can have dire consequences.  Checklists have been used in the cockpit for many years to ensure that all necessary procedures have been accomplished.  We believe that the same checklist procedures can be applied to your selection of the right flight training organization.

What do you need in a flight training organization?

Your search should begin by asking yourself a few questions. Why do you want to learn to fly?  Are you learning for fun, do you intend to pursue a career in aviation?  Do you intend to learn to fly on a full or part-time basis?  Do you intend to learn to fly in your own aeroplane, or do you intend to rent?  Do you intend to fly locally once you are licensed, or do you intend to travel widely?  Do you intend to fly for business, or recreational purposes?

Once you have given some thought to what you want in a flight training organization, start putting together a list of questions to ask the schools whose contact information is included in this folder.  These could include:

• Schedules for upcoming courses (private, commercial, IFR, multi, instructor, etc.)
• Average costs for training and what other expenses one can anticipate
• Payment policy (deposits, bank accounts, etc.)
• Airport and school facilities including types and quantities of aircraft
• Local accommodations, costs and distance from training facility
• Local attractions

Most questions can be answered by visiting each school's website located at http://:www.atac.ca

After having chosen your school, you will need to obtain a letter of acceptance in order to obtain a student visa.  This letter of acceptance should contain:

• Description of the nature of the training and where it will take place
• Start date of course and estimated duration
• Estimated cost of course

Visit us on the Internet to get up-to-date listing of ATAC schools.  Our address is: http://www.atac.ca

Step 3 Obtain student visa

Upon receipt of your student pilot permit and your letter of acceptance from a Canadian Flying School, the next step for taking your training in Canada is to obtain a student authorization from the department of Citizenship and Immigration.

To apply for an authorization you must have:

• a valid passport
• a letter of acceptance from an educational institution.  This must be the original, not a photocopy.  It should specify in detail the courses you are taking, confirm that you have been accepted as a student, and indicate the estimated length of study.  Keep this letter after your application to show to immigration officials when you arrive in Canada.
• sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and medical insurance. You must be able to prove you can support yourself and your dependants before a student authorization may be issued. A letter from your bank in your country, a bank draft of a letter from your source of funding, will show immigration officials that you can afford to pay your expenses and, if necessary, the expenses of your spouse and dependants, while you are in Canada.  These expenses include estimated training costs, food, clothing, shelter, books, transportation, medical insurance, entertainment, personal or family needs and return trips home.

In addition to the above you must:

• complete an application form
• pay a processing fee and possibly complete an immigration medical

Studying in the province of Québec

Persons attending a university/college in Québec also require a Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from Québec Immigration prior to entry to Canada.  For flying courses, this only applies where you are enrolled in a degree granting course that includes flight training.   For details of how to apply for a CAQ, please contact the academic institution in Québec where you have been accepted for study.

Persons wishing to attend a French or English language training course of three months duration or less, do not require a student authorization.

Husbands and wives of holders of valid student authorizations are eligible for an open employment authorization (provided they are not full-time students themselves) to enable them to take up employment in Canada. This can be obtained only after arrival in Canada.

Children of holders of student authorizations are eligible for open student authorizations to permit them to study at primary or secondary schools in Canada. These should be applied for prior to entry to Canada.

To contact the Canadian Embassy or High Commission nearest you, visit the following website http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/Entry.jsp or contact ATAC at 613-233-7727.

NOTE:  You do not need a study permit if you are planning to study in a short-term program in Canada of six months or less.

Think carefully: We encourage you to apply for a study permit before you come to Canada if you are planning to continue on your studies in another program after the short program. This will allow you to apply for your new program from within Canada. Otherwise, you will have to apply to a Canadian visa office abroad.

Most foreign students will need a permit to study in Canada. If you wish to study in Quebec you will also need to apply to Quebec.

Before you come to study in Canada you will need:

• a letter of acceptance from the school of your choice;
• proof that you have enough money to pay school fees and live near the school;
• to establish that you will return home at the end of your studies;
• to pass a medical exam if needed; and
• to qualify as a temporary resident in Canada, including a temporary resident visa if needed.

For further information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Website at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

Prior to leaving for Canada, your school will have made arrangements with you for accommodations and transport from your point of embarkation in Canada.  Policies and practices for this will vary from one school to another and it should be a question that you ask when choosing your school.

Information on booking a flight to Canada can be obtained through a travel agent or contact Wayne Gouveia, ATAC at:

Wayne Gouveia  wgouveia@atac.ca
Vice President Commercial General Aviation
Air Transport Association of Canada
255 Albert Street, Suite 700
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6A9
Tel: 613-233-7727 extension 309
Fax: 613-230-8648
http://www.atac.ca

Passports and Visas 

 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

When you arrive in Canada, you must show immigration officials the following:

• your student authorization (form IMM 1208),
• valid passport and if required, visitor visa
• any letters or papers used to obtain your student authorization.

If any documents are missing or incorrect, you could be refused admission to Canada.  The passport will be stamped with the date you must depart from Canada. Check that this date is valid for your anticipated course length.  If you need more time, apply at an immigration office.  Do not overstay the date stamped on your passport.  If there is something you don't understand, immigration officers will be happy to help you.

If you want to renew your passport while you are in Canada, contact your embassy or consulate at least two months before the passport expires.  You may wish to keep a photocopy of your passport, visitor visa, your most recent immigration stamp, and student authorization for your own records.  Make sure that your passport will allow you to return home or travel to another country if you wish.

As an international student studying in Canada, you are eligible for certain customs benefits, including the temporary importation into Canada of your household and personal effects.  A number of conditions apply, so before coming to Canada you should refer to the booklet Entering Canada to Study or To Work.  This is available from any Canada Customs office, Canadian Consulate, or by contacting: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

International students may be allowed to work while attending school.  Your spouse may also be allowed to work under certain circumstances. A Canadian Immigration official can give you details on working in Canada as an international student.   If you work without an employment authorization you may be in violation of the Immigration Act and may be required to leave Canada.

Students who complete a commercial licence and instructor course are allowed to work in Canada as a flight instructor for a period of 6 months.  This six-month term will be renewable subject to a labour market assessment.  This new policy will essentially be similar to the American J-1 Visa.

Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
http://www.copanational.org

Transport Canada
http://www.tc.gc.ca

Canadian Tourism Commission
http://www.travelcanada.ca/travelcanada/app/index.jsp

In taking your courses at an ATAC School, you are taking your training at a professional organization that has agreed to abide by the association's Code of Conduct for International Marketing.  You as a student are assured that:

1. Advertising and promotional information provided to prospective foreign students will accurately represent the services, facilities, and equipment available at the school/club;
2. Funds deposited on account by foreign students will be held in trust by the school/club, and will not be released without the express written instructions of the student;
3. Funds deposited on account by prospective foreign students who do not commence training will be returned to the student in full without penalty;
4. Funds deposited on account by foreign students who commence training will be used only on the instructions of the student;
5. Communications with prospective foreign students will be conducted in a timely and forthright manner;
6. Unused funds, deposited with a participating school/club will be returned to the student at any time following receipt of a written request from the student;
7. Disputes arising between foreign students and participating members which cannot be resolved between the parties, will be the subject of arbitration by ATAC's International Marketing Committee.  Participating ATAC members agree to be bound by the decision rendered by the Committee.  Members who do not abide by the decision of the Committee may be removed from eligibility to participate in the program.

For any further information on aviation in Canada, whether it's:

• Flight Training
• Aerial Tours
• Specialty Flying
• Aircraft Charter
• Aircraft Rental

Aviation Fact sheet of why you should choose Canada as your aviation experiences destination:

For business, pleasure, transportation, there are over 28,000 aircraft in Canada of all shapes and sizes that operate safely everyday.  So much is aviation a part of the Canadian culture, it can be overlooked, it's value can be overlooked.  With a safety record that is continually improving, its easy to take aviation in Canada for granted.

Check out these facts:

·         Every year visitors to Canada spend $10Billion dollars on air transportation from airlines to outfitters.

• There are 7 airlines offering national scheduled service, 70 air operators offering regional or local scheduled service in Canada.
• There are 800 air operators in Canada offering all forms of on demand service from floatplanes to helicopter charters.
• There are approximately 200 air operators in Canada offering valuable services to Canadians in keeping our agriculture products healthy and protecting our forests and attending our injured
• Canada has an international reputation for safety due to a tradition of cooperation between industry and regulator
• The International Civil Aviation Organization recently confirmed that Transport Canada's Civil Aviation safety program is second to none in the world.
• With the second largest fleet of civil aircraft in the western world, Canada's maintenance organizations assist in ensuring that all aeronautical products in Canada are maintained to national and international airworthiness standards.  These include 1,190 Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs) and some 10,000 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs)  ensuring the airworthiness of the commercial aircraft and privately-owned aircraft in Canada.
• From international scheduled services to small one-aircraft charter companies, 2,116 air operators are certified to provide service within or into Canada.  There are also 140 private operators in Canada. 
• Air Operators include;
• 1,028 foreign operators;
• 192 aerial work operators specializing in aerial spray, forest fire fighting, aerial construction, mapping and survey, etc.;
• 752 certified air taxi operators providing scheduled and charter services using aircraft with 9 or less passenger seats;
• 87 commuter operators providing scheduled and charter services using aircraft having 10 to 19 passenger seats; and
• 57 airline operators such as Air Canada and Air BC providing scheduled and charter services using aircraft having 20 or more passenger seats.

Airports

• There are approximately 2,000 aerodromes in Canada from grass strips to 2 miles of concrete runways handling aircraft from all over the world.
• Over 200,000 people a day fly out from Canadian airports.
• Airports create $31 Billion annually in economic activity, contributing $4.5Billion in tax benefits.
• Airports generate over 292,000 jobs in Canada.

Airport Operators

• 26 airports handling at least 200,000 passengers each year which, with 94% of air travellers in Canada, are considered essential to Canada's domestic prosperity and international competitiveness
• 69 regional and local airports serving scheduled passenger traffic, handling fewer than 200,000 passengers each year
• 31 small airports have no scheduled passenger services, four of which are satellite airports and receive some general traffic from major airports

• There are 10,516 commercial pilots , of which 659 were female
• There was 12,598 airline transport licenses of which 541 were female.
• There are 4492 helicopter licenses, of which 556 were PPL's, 3000 CPL's, 934 ATPL's.  There are 144 female helicopter pilots in Canada.
• There was 1,307 commercial pilot licenses issued in the last twelve months and this requirement is expected to grow with great opportunities for Canadians worldwide!!
• As a non traditional industry, females have opportunities in aviation.

Why should you fly in Canada?  For a variety of reasons and for a variety of career choices, for convenience, for fun, for excitement!  For further information, give us a call.  ATAC is proud to represent commercial aviation in Canada since 1934.

Wayne Gouveia  wgouveia@atac.ca
Vice President Commercial General Aviation
Air Transport Association of Canada
255 Albert Street, Suite 700
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6A9
Tel: 613-233-7727 extension 309
Fax: 613-230-8648
http://www.atac.ca