FAA/TC ATP Verification

[tps8903]

Hello,

I am in the process of converting my TC ATPL to a FAA ATP. I received my verification letter from TC via the FAA yesterday. In it TC says I hold a ATPL etc etc and a CAT 1 medical. However it goes on to say that my medical expired last year. I have since renewed my medical on October 22, 2021. TC medicals has confirmed that they have the record but have not processed it. It appears they are at least 6 months behind processing medicals, if not more.

I contacted the TC license people and they gave a predictable COVID excuse for delayed medicals, and said that CAR 404.....says that a CAME stamp is good for validation, yada yada yada. And the onus is on me to show the governing Authority that is the case.

Questions:

1. Does the FAA accept the verification letter with the stamp in your Aviation Booklet, Or does the verification letter have to have a valid medical on it?

2. If it's the latter, how would someone with a 6 month validity possibly obtain a verification letter that is current?

I'm looking for people that have, or are going through this same bureaucratic quagmire.

Thanks!

[sullecpt]

Same just happened to me. TC and their bullshit.

I am due to have it signed off by the FAA on zoom in Jan after waiting months for the FAA to book it and confirm my documents. The way I view it is that not having proof of the medical doesn't mean anything for a conversion. For example, you have a TC ATPL, and even if you didn't have a medical (which you do) all it would mean is that you could not exercise the privilege's of the license in Canada. It doesn't mean you don't have a ATPL in Canada. I have not confirmed this though, this is just how I interpreted it after pulling out my hair like you.

If you have the exams written, CTP course done, and a valid FAA medical you have all you need.

Out of curiosity, do you have a work visa? That's the part I cant seem to figure out haha

[tps8903]

Same just happened to me. TC and their bullshit.

I am due to have it signed off by the FAA on zoom in Jan after waiting months for the FAA to book it and confirm my documents. The way I view it is that not having proof of the medical doesn't mean anything for a conversion. For example, you have a TC ATPL, and even if you didn't have a medical (which you do) all it would mean is that you could not exercise the privilege's of the license in Canada. It doesn't mean you don't have a ATPL in Canada. I have not confirmed this though, this is just how I interpreted it after pulling out my hair like you.

If you have the exams written, CTP course done, and a valid FAA medical you have all you need.

Out of curiosity, do you have a work visa? That's the part I cant seem to figure out haha

I wish I had hair left to pull out!

MCO FSDO is booking March right now. So I scheduled an April appointment. I have my medical booked next week and the ATP CTP booked for end of February. I'll schedule the exam once that's done.

I called Oklahoma, the guy on the other end reviewed the letter and seemed to think I'll be fine, but I know a pilot that was refused for the same issue in NY. I'm wondering if this is a local subjective FSDO thing.

Sent you a PM as well. Not sure if it went through.

[Cessna 180]

Same just happened to me. TC and their bullshit.

I am due to have it signed off by the FAA on zoom in Jan after waiting months for the FAA to book it and confirm my documents. The way I view it is that not having proof of the medical doesn't mean anything for a conversion. For example, you have a TC ATPL, and even if you didn't have a medical (which you do) all it would mean is that you could not exercise the privilege's of the license in Canada. It doesn't mean you don't have a ATPL in Canada. I have not confirmed this though, this is just how I interpreted it after pulling out my hair like you.

If you have the exams written, CTP course done, and a valid FAA medical you have all you need.

Out of curiosity, do you have a work visa? That's the part I cant seem to figure out haha

I wish I had hair left to pull out!

MCO FSDO is booking March right now. So I scheduled an April appointment. I have my medical booked next week and the ATP CTP booked for end of February. I'll schedule the exam once that's done.

I called Oklahoma, the guy on the other end reviewed the letter and seemed to think I'll be fine, but I know a pilot that was refused for the same issue in NY. I'm wondering if this is a local subjective FSDO thing.

Sent you a PM as well. Not sure if it went through.

The trick is, don't do the conversion at a FSDO that does a lot of these (Rochester, Miami). Go to one in the middle of the country where they're less likely to nitpick.

[tps8903]

Same just happened to me. TC and their bullshit.

I am due to have it signed off by the FAA on zoom in Jan after waiting months for the FAA to book it and confirm my documents. The way I view it is that not having proof of the medical doesn't mean anything for a conversion. For example, you have a TC ATPL, and even if you didn't have a medical (which you do) all it would mean is that you could not exercise the privilege's of the license in Canada. It doesn't mean you don't have a ATPL in Canada. I have not confirmed this though, this is just how I interpreted it after pulling out my hair like you.

If you have the exams written, CTP course done, and a valid FAA medical you have all you need.

Out of curiosity, do you have a work visa? That's the part I cant seem to figure out haha

I wish I had hair left to pull out!

MCO FSDO is booking March right now. So I scheduled an April appointment. I have my medical booked next week and the ATP CTP booked for end of February. I'll schedule the exam once that's done.

I called Oklahoma, the guy on the other end reviewed the letter and seemed to think I'll be fine, but I know a pilot that was refused for the same issue in NY. I'm wondering if this is a local subjective FSDO thing.

Sent you a PM as well. Not sure if it went through.

The trick is, don't do the conversion at a FSDO that does a lot of these (Rochester, Miami). Go to one in the middle of the country where they're less likely to nitpick.

I think you are on to something here!!!

[Needswork2020]

I already had a FAA ATP but wanted to add types.

I went thru process and got the verification letter showing my current ATP and types, but like you without a current Canadian medical despite it being stamped in my book. The guy in SEA didn't care. He only wanted to see my US FAA Medical.

It was a non issue.

[tps8903]

I already had a FAA ATP but wanted to add types.

I went thru process and got the verification letter showing my current ATP and types, but like you without a current Canadian medical despite it being stamped in my book. The guy in SEA didn't care. He only wanted to see my US FAA Medical.

It was a non issue.

Sweet! Thanks for the info!

[Gino Under]

1. Does the FAA accept the verification letter with the stamp in your Aviation Booklet

No. They don’t.
Why not? Because the FAA record keeps the letter, not the TC letter and your licence booklet. So the TC letter has to have your accurate licence and medical status. No valid medical? No valid TC licence. So, the FAA won’t issue a certificate based on an invalid TC licence.
You won’t be asked to submit your licence booklet, so a medical stamp in your booklet is irrelevant to the FAA process. If a FSDO rep can sign a testimonial, I wouldn’t know. You’d have to check but be aware, what this FSDO does might not be the same as that FSDO. Because it’s a bureaucracy.
Of note, once you have your FAA certificate (not called a licence) you don’t need a valid FAA medical to have a type rating placed on your certificate. If you have an FAA issued type rating and you want it placed on your Canadian licence your Canadian medical must be valid at the time the FAA paperwork arrives at TC. This is a TC requirement and the main difference between the 2 authorities.

2. If it's the latter, how would someone with a 6 month validity possibly obtain a verification letter that is current?

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait for TC to get all your details sorted out. If anything is missing, don’t submit to the FAA. Go back to TC. It’s a piss off when TC knows the requirements for the conversion. So why would they send you something they know doesn’t meet the FAA requirements? Because that’s the way the bureaucratic ball bounces.

You’d be wise to appreciate that each FAA FSDO doesn’t necessarily understand the process as clearly as you might otherwise think.

Gino
FAA PE, TCE