rico-db9 wrote:I just had a conversation with licensing at Transport Canada.
I informed them of this roadblock the FAA has thrown up to essentially block Canadian ATPL holders from converting to FAA ATP. They are aware of it as well as the Ottawa folks.
I expressed my DEEP concern about this is completely unfair and is an obstructionist policy imposed by the FAA.
It is now required that ATPL holders take a USD$5,000 course (plus a flight and week in a hotel) which totals likely close to a US$10,000 fee in front of Canadian flyers while US ATP holders merely have to come to Canada and write a $100 test.
WHAT A RIP!!!
The lady at Transport Canada suggested that US... ALL OF US... Need to get off out asses and write a letter into Transport objecting to this roadblock thrown up by the FAA.
Canada should be exempt from this stupid certificate. We have enjoyed free trade in aviation since long before the free trade agreements even existed. It was one unique area that was open. NOW THIS!!!
The squeaky wheel folks.
Stand by for an email address and or fax number and send in a NICELY worded complaint.
R
I feel your pain, however, it is not a practice by the FAA specifically directed at Canadian applicants. It is a requirement for all FAA ATP applicants. Yes, I know it is unfortunate and, as always, those who beat the deadline won (grandfathering is a beautiful thing in aviation).
Good luck trying to get the FAA to change it. If they did, it would leave a backdoor open for all FAA Commercial Pilots to go convert their qualifications to the Canadian equivalent, write a couple of written exams, and come back with a Canadian ATP to convert to an FAA one, thereby circumventing the objective of the regulatory changes the FAA imposed.
I am not saying that I agree with the FAA requirement. It just is what it is. Heck, a few years ago a Transport Canada official was musing that Canada needs to require that all ATP applicants do a checkride in a 2-crew aircraft (essentially, a Type Rating) to keep Canada's ATP in-line with ICAO standards.