All pilots must hold a permit, certificate or licence issued by Transport Canada if they are operating a Canadian registered aircraft.
Transport Canada has amended Standard 421.34. Read the summary of the changes, the rationale, and the impact on Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane (ATPL-A) applicants.
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Communication document - Changes to CAR 421.34 – Request a copy of this document
More about pilot licences, permits and ratings:
On this page
Before you apply
Before applying for a student pilot permit, flight crew permit, licence or rating, make sure you meet all Canadian Aviation Regulation requirements, including:
- proof of identity
- medical fitness
- knowledge
- experience
- language proficiency
- skill
See Standard 421 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) for details.
You must apply for a medical certificate to confirm you meet the medical standards required to hold a pilot licence or permit.
You’ll also need to Apply for an Aviation Document Booklet (ADB) if you don’t already have one.
Before you apply, you must also make sure that you don’t:
- owe Transport Canada any fees
- have any suspensions with the Department of Justice under the Family Order and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act
Fees and service standards
Service standards list the usual maximum processing time. Actual times depend on how complete or complex the application is.
| Service | Fee | Service standard |
|---|---|---|
|
Issuance of a foreign licence validation certificate |
20 working days |
|
|
Issuance of a temporary licence, permit or medical certificate |
10 working days |
|
|
Issuance of a new rating or renewal/upgrade of an existing rating |
40 working days |
|
|
Issuance of a commercial pilot licence (aeroplane or helicopter) |
40 working days |
|
|
Issuance of an airline transport pilot licence |
40 working days |
|
|
Issuance of a private pilot licence (aeroplane or helicopter) |
40 working days |
|
|
Issuance of a pilot licence (glider or balloon) |
40 working days |
|
|
Issuance of a recreational or ultra-light pilot permit |
40 working days |
|
|
Extension to the validity period of a flight instructor rating or a medical certificate |
10 working days |
Fees may change based on inflation every year on April 1.
Based on Transport Canada’s Policy on remissions, if we miss the service standard, some of your fee may be reimbursed.
Learn more about the Service Fees Act.
How to apply
Apply for a student pilot permit
To apply for a Student Pilot Permit (SPP), you must contact an Authorized Person (AP) at any Flight Training Unit (FTU). The AP will submit the application for you and issue your permit.
Apply for a pilot permit
Apply for a gyroplane, ultra-light or recreational pilot permit for flight training or recreational flying. Choose the permit type that matches your experience and aircraft category. Then email your form, documents, and payment to Transport Canada.
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Fill out the correct form
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Gather digital copies of all required documents
- You can email your e-logbook or a scanned copy of your paper logbook
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Pay online (select “Licence or permit”) and provide proof of payment with your application (receipt, screenshot, receipt number or order ID)
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Take your application to an Authorized Person (AP) for processing. If you are unable to find an AP. Proceed with step 5 below.
- Email your application including the form, documents and proof of payment to any Transport Canada Centre.
Apply for a licence
Apply for a pilot or flight engineer licence once you meet the training and experience requirements.
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Fill out the correct form
- Application for a Glider Pilot Licence
- Application for a Balloon Pilot Licence
- Application for a Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane
- Application for a Private Pilot Licence – Helicopter
- Application for Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane
- Application for Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter
- Application for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane
- Application for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter
- Application for a Flight Engineer Licence
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Gather digital copies of all required documents
- You can email your e-logbook or a scanned copy of your paper logbook
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Pay online (select “licence or permit”) and provide proof of payment with your application (receipt, screenshot, receipt number or order ID)
-
Take your application to an Authorized Person (AP) for processing. If you are applying for an Airline Transport Licence or are unable to find an AP. Proceed with step 5 below.
- Email your application including the form, documents and proof of payment to any Transport Canada Centre.
Apply for a rating
Apply for a rating to add new privileges to your existing pilot licence or permit. Choose the rating type that reflects your training or qualification. If you are finishing your rating with a skill test done by a Pilot Examiner, you will complete the paperwork with them. If not, then email your form, documents, and payment to Transport Canada.
- Fill out the Flight Crew Permit / Licence – Application for Endorsement of a Rating
- Gather digital copies of all required documents
- You can email your e-logbook or a scanned copy of your paper logbook
- Pay online (select “new rating or renewal/upgrade of an existing rating”) and provide proof of payment with your application (receipt, screenshot, receipt number or order ID)
- Email your application including the form, documents and proof of payment to any Transport Canada Centre.
Apply for a foreign licence validation certificate
Foreign pilots can get a temporary Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC) for recreational flying. To get a FLVC, you need:
- a valid foreign license
- a valid foreign medical certificate
- a completed application with a fee
A FLVC for commercial purposes must be submitted by the employer.
Learn more about Foreign Licence Validation Certificates and how to apply for one.
Update or replace your documents
Use this service to update your personal information or request a replacement for a lost, damaged, or incorrect flight crew document.
Update your email
To update the email address on your file, send an email to any Transport Canada Centre with your new email address. We’ll update your file, but we won’t re-issue any documents for this change.
Update your name or gender
- Fill out the Flight Crew Licensing Declaration of Name Change form
- If you plan to change your legal signature, sign the signature box of the ADB Application Form with your new signature. Note: This must be done on the paper form, it cannot be done on the mobile app.
- Gather digital copies of all required documents
- Pay online (select “replacement of a Canadian Aviation Document”) and provide proof of payment with your application (receipt, screenshot, receipt number or order ID)
- Email your application including the form, documents and proof of payment to any Transport Canada Centre.
Request a replacement document
- Fill out an Application for Re-issue of a Civil Aviation Licensing Document
- Pay online (select “replacement of a Canadian Aviation Document”) and provide proof of payment with your application (receipt, screenshot, receipt number or order ID)
- Email your application including the form and proof of payment to any Transport Canada Centre.
Need help?
Contact your closest Transport Canada Centre.