GLIDING IN CANADA

Visitor Pilots Info

Requirements for Foreign Pilots & Aircraft

The purpose of these notes is to provide information on Canadian regulatory requirements for foreign pilots and aircraft. Complying with these requirements is straightforward. Should you have any questions or encounter difficulties, you can contact the office of the Soaring Association of Canada for information or assistance.

Requirements for Pilots

Flying your own (foreign registered) aircraft:

You can fly on the strength of your foreign pilot licence, or permit, and supporting documents (medical certificate), provided that they are from an International Civil Aviation organization (ICAO) member state (most countries are). There are no special Canadian requirements in addition to those of the foreign country.

Flying Canadian registered aircraft:

There are no requirements to hold a Canadian Aviation Document unless you wish to act as pilot-in-command of a Canadian registered aircraft. To fly as pilot-in-command of a Canadian registered air-craft, there are four ways to satisfy the pilot licensing requirements.

Limited Term Glider Pilot Licence & Medical Certificate (LTP/MC)

The LTP/MC is issued on the basis of the applicant holding a valid foreign pilot licence and medical certificate from an ICAO member state. The LTPL is valid for a period of 90 days and you may only apply once in any 12 month period. Unlike the Foreign License Validation Certificate, the LTP/MC permits foreign pilots to act as pilot-in-command for purposes of flight training and testing.

Foreign License Validation Certificate (FLVC)

The Foreign Licence Validation Certificate is issued on the strength of your foreign licence and is valid for one year from the date of issue. It is not a Canadian licence ‘per se’, so it cannot be used to upgrade your rating.

Student Permit

This would typically apply if you do not hold a foreign glider pilot license and wish to take glider pilot training in Canada. Requirements:

  • Successfully complete a pre-solo examination
  • Sign a Civil Aviation Medical Certificate (Category IV standards)
  • Have a Canadian Glider Flight Instructor certify in your log book

Canadian Glider Pilot Licence

Attractive to a foreign pilot who is a frequent visitor. Requirements:

  • Obtain a grade of 90% or better on the PSTAR written examination
  • Provide evidence of sufficient experience
  • Sign a medical declaration (Category 4 standards)

Requirements for Foreign Registered Aircraft

If the aircraft is registered and has a standard Certificate of Airworthiness from an ICAO contracting state, or a country which has entered into a bilateral agreement with Canada, there are no special Canadian document requirements for operating in Canada.

If an aircraft is operating under a Flight Authorization, other than a standard Certificate of Airworthiness, it is necessary to obtain a validation of the foreign flight authorization prior to operating in Canada. The process is straightforward and involves providing evidence that the aircraft has a special Certificate of Airworthiness – or equivalent document in the home country.

Canadian Gliding Operations

For the most part, gliding in Canada is organized on a club basis, with a few commercial operations like the Invermere Soaring Centre. As in your own country, clubs and commercial operations have their own requirements in terms of checkflights, competency levels, etc. before you will be allowed to fly on your own.

Insofar as membership in the Soaring Association of Canada (SAC) is concerned, membership in a counterpart Organization in your home country (for example, the SSA in the US, the FFW in France, the BGA in the United Kingdom, etc.) is taken as the equivalent of SAC membership while you are in Canada.