International Students

Medical Exam

Student Pilots

Before you invest 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.   In order to fly in Canada, you must apply for an Aviation Medical.  Upon successfully passing the medical 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 until you have obtained your  medical.

Every country that is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 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 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

Licensed Pilots

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.

For further information, please contact:

Transport Canada, Safety and Security.
General Aviation, Personnel Licensing
Tel: 1 (613) 990-1056, Fax: 1 (613) 990-6215