Air Transport Pilot License Helicopter Calgary Alberta Canada
Air Transport License
The Air Transport Pilot License or ATPL is for pilots that meet the training requirements for the issue of a Commercial helicopter Pilot Licence that is not restricted to daylight flying and have completed a minimum of 1000 hours total flight time, of which a minimum of 600 hours shall have been completed in helicopters, or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL(H)) valid in an ICAO country. On successful completion, the pilot will be granted a Canadian Commercial Licence with the ATPL(H) written exams “locked in” for two years. On successful completion of a Pilot Proficiency Check in a two pilot aircraft, the ATPL(H) licence will be issued by Transport Canada
Requirements
Age
An applicant shall be a minimum of twenty-one years of age.
Medical Fitness
- (a) An applicant shall hold a Category 1 Medical Certificate valid for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter.
- (b) The licence holder may exercise Private Pilot Licence – Helicopter privileges until the end of the medical period specified for the Private Pilot Licence.
(amended 2007/12/30; previous version) - (c) The licence is maintained by a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
(amended 2007/12/30; previous version)
Knowledge
An applicant shall have obtained a minimum of 70% on each of the two Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopter) examinations Meteorology, Radio Aids to Navigation and Flight Planning (HAMRA) and Air Law, Helicopter Operation and Navigation General (HARON) on the following subjects:
- (a) Canadian Aviation Regulations, and air traffic rules and procedures;
- (b) Aerodynamics and theory of flight relating to helicopters;
- (c) Meteorology;
- (d) Airframes, engines and systems;
- (e) Flight instruments;
- (f) Avionics;
- (g) Navigation;
- (h) Aircraft performance;
- (i) Flight operations; and
- (j) Human factors, including pilot decision-making.
Experience
An applicant shall have met the training requirements for the issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter that is not restricted to daylight flying and completed a minimum of 1000 hours total flight time of which a minimum of 600 hours shall have been completed in helicopters. The total flight time shall include a minimum of:
- (a) 250 hours pilot-in-command flight time in helicopters as pilot-in-command, which may include a maximum of 150 hours pilot-in-command under supervision flight time in accordance with Section 421.11;
- (b) 50 hours night flight time as pilot-in-command or as co-pilot of which a minimum of 15 hours shall have been acquired in helicopters;
- (c) 200 hours cross-country flight time in helicopters of which a minimum of 100 hours shall be as pilot-in-command or as pilot-in-command under supervision in accordance with Section 421.11;
- (d) 30 hours instrument time of which a maximum of 10 hours may be instrument ground time and a maximum of 15 hours may have been acquired in aeroplanes. Instrument ground time may not be applied toward the total 1000 hour flight time requirement.
Skill
Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant shall demonstrate in flight and on the ground familiarity with and the ability to perform, as pilot-in-command of a helicopter required to be operated with a co-pilot, both normal and emergency procedures and manoeuvres appropriate to the privileges of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter.
(amended 1999/03/01; previous version)
Requirements
Age
An applicant shall be a minimum of twenty-one years of age.
Medical Fitness
- (a) An applicant shall hold a Category 1 Medical Certificate valid for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter.
- (b) The licence holder may exercise Private Pilot Licence – Helicopter privileges until the end of the medical period specified for the Private Pilot Licence.
(amended 2007/12/30; previous version) - (c) The licence is maintained by a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
(amended 2007/12/30; previous version)
Knowledge
An applicant shall have obtained a minimum of 70% on each of the two Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopter) examinations Meteorology, Radio Aids to Navigation and Flight Planning (HAMRA) and Air Law, Helicopter Operation and Navigation General (HARON) on the following subjects:
- (a) Canadian Aviation Regulations, and air traffic rules and procedures;
- (b) Aerodynamics and theory of flight relating to helicopters;
- (c) Meteorology;
- (d) Airframes, engines and systems;
- (e) Flight instruments;
- (f) Avionics;
- (g) Navigation;
- (h) Aircraft performance;
- (i) Flight operations; and
- (j) Human factors, including pilot decision-making.
Experience
An applicant shall have met the training requirements for the issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter that is not restricted to daylight flying and completed a minimum of 1000 hours total flight time of which a minimum of 600 hours shall have been completed in helicopters. The total flight time shall include a minimum of:
- (a) 250 hours pilot-in-command flight time in helicopters as pilot-in-command, which may include a maximum of 150 hours pilot-in-command under supervision flight time in accordance with Section 421.11;
- (b) 50 hours night flight time as pilot-in-command or as co-pilot of which a minimum of 15 hours shall have been acquired in helicopters;
- (c) 200 hours cross-country flight time in helicopters of which a minimum of 100 hours shall be as pilot-in-command or as pilot-in-command under supervision in accordance with Section 421.11;
- (d) 30 hours instrument time of which a maximum of 10 hours may be instrument ground time and a maximum of 15 hours may have been acquired in aeroplanes. Instrument ground time may not be applied toward the total 1000 hour flight time requirement.
Skill
Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant shall demonstrate in flight and on the ground familiarity with and the ability to perform, as pilot-in-command of a helicopter required to be operated with a co-pilot, both normal and emergency procedures and manoeuvres appropriate to the privileges of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter.
(amended 1999/03/01; previous version)
Restricted Licence
Restricted Licence – Aerial Work Only
- (a) Where an applicant has not completed the instrument flight time requirement or the night flight time requirement, the licence shall be issued restricted to aerial work only and the total dual and solo flight time requirements for the issue of the licence shall be met.
- (b) Where an applicant completes the instrument flight time and night flight time requirements, the restriction shall be removed.
Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the licence, an applicant shall demonstrate in flight and on the ground familiarity with and the ability to perform, as pilot-in-command of a helicopter required to be operated with a co-pilot, both normal and emergency procedures and manoeuvres appropriate to the privileges of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter.
Note: amended 1999/03/01; previous version
Restricted Licence – Aerial Work Only
- (a) Where an applicant has not completed the instrument flight time requirement or the night flight time requirement, the licence shall be issued restricted to aerial work only and the total dual and solo flight time requirements for the issue of the licence shall be met.
Tuition & Fees
$85,274.25
102 Hours on RH44 Helicopter – 1 year or Less Course
102 Flight Hours | $63,274.25 |
Fuel AvGas* | $12,852.00 |
Ground Course | $1,800.00 |
Books | $1,000.00 |
Simulator 5 hours | $750.00 |
Issue of the Licence TC* Fee | $80.00 |
Licence Written Examination TC* Fee | $121.00 |
Flight Test Examiner Fee | $800.00 |
English proficiency Test | $115.00 |
PSTAR Examination / SPP | $40.00 |
Radio Licence Fee | $0.00 |
Licence application Shipping Cost | $20.00 |
GST | $4,048.25 |
Helicopter ATPL Requirements in Canada
Transport Canada sets the requirements for the helicopter Airline Transport Pilot Licence, or ATPL(H), in Standard 421 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Here is what you need before you apply.
- Age: at least 21.
- Medical: a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate.
- Written exams: at least 70% on both ATPL(H) exams. HARON covers air law, helicopter operations and navigation. HAMRA covers meteorology, radio aids to navigation and flight planning.
- Training: the training requirements for a commercial helicopter licence that is not restricted to daylight flying.
- Flight time: at least 1,000 hours in total, with at least 600 of those hours in helicopters.
- Within that time: 250 hours as pilot-in-command in helicopters (up to 150 can be pilot-in-command under supervision), 50 hours at night (15 in helicopters), 200 hours of cross-country flying in helicopters (100 as pilot-in-command or under supervision) and 30 hours of instrument time (up to 10 on the ground and up to 15 in aeroplanes).
- Skill: within the 12 months before you apply, show you can handle normal and emergency procedures as pilot-in-command of a helicopter that must be flown with a co-pilot.
Rules can change, so check the current Standard 421 on Transport Canada’s website before you apply.
Training for Your ATPL(H) in Calgary
Our ATPL course is for pilots who meet these requirements or who hold an ATPL(H) valid in an ICAO country. When you complete it, you receive a Canadian commercial licence with your ATPL(H) written exams locked in for two years. Transport Canada issues the ATPL(H) once you pass a Pilot Proficiency Check in a two-pilot aircraft.
Still building hours? Start with our Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence and add a night rating. Pilots licensed in another country can also look at our international conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the helicopter ATPL requirements in Canada?
How many flight hours do I need for a helicopter ATPL?
Which exams do I write for the ATPL(H)?
What medical certificate do I need for an ATPL(H)?
Can I train for the ATPL with a foreign helicopter licence?
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