Having a valid medical certificate is mandatory to fly any aircraft in Canada. Medical Certificates in Canada are broken down in to four separate categories – Category 1, 2, 3 or 4.
An Ultralight Pilot Permit is valid if the pilot has a Category 1, 3 or 4 medical certificate. The category 4 is the easiest to obtain.
Category 1 Medical:
-Required for pilots with a Commercial Pilot Licence, Airline Transport Pilot Licence or Flight Engineers.
Category 2 Medical:
-Required for Air Traffic Controllers
Category 3 Medical:
-Required for pilots with a Private Pilot Licence, Gyroplane Pilot Permit or Balloon Pilot Licence
Category 4 Medical:
-Required for pilots with an Ultralight Pilot Permit, Glider Pilot Licence or Recreational Pilot Permit.
A Category 4 Medical can be obtained by filling out the Civil Aviation Medical Declaration form (26-0297). Click the link below to view the Declaration form.
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/download/26-0297_BO_PD
The form is made up of three parts. In “Part A” you will identify the type of permit or licence that the medical declaration will be validating along with your Name, Address and other basic information.
“Part B” contains a listing of medical conditions. If you have ever suffered from any of the listed conditions you must undergo a medical examination with a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME).
To find a CAME in your area, you can use the search tool at the following link:
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/came-meac/l.aspx?lang=eng
If you have not suffered from any of the listed conditions you can sign and date the form along with a witness signature.
“Part C” of the form is only required if applying for a Passenger Carrying Ultralight Aeroplane rating, a Student Pilot Permit – Aeroplane (Which is not the same as a Student Pilot Permit – Ultralight) or a Recreational Pilot Permit.
This form can be submitted to any Transport Canada Center by e-mail. In the subject line of your email, follow this naming format: “Category 4 Medical Declaration Form + last name + file number (if known)”
Click the link below to find your local Transport Canada Centre:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/civil-aviation-contacts offices#headquarters_and_regional
After you submit your medical declaration you will receive an invoice and instructions for payment.
As of July.2025 the fee to process the medical declaration is $67.75
It is important to understand that the type of permit or licence that a pilot holds determines the medical category that the pilot requires. For example: A holder of a Ultralight Pilot Permit or a Recreational Pilot Permit may fly an Ultralight with a Category 4 medical, however if a holder of a Private Pilot licence wishes to fly an Ultralight, they will require a Category 3 (or 1) Medical to validate their Private Pilot Licence.
Below is a more detailed list of the most commonly used permits, licences and ratings used by pilots who fly ultralight aircraft. The medical requirements and validity periods vary depending on the Permit or License and Rating.
Student Pilot Permit – Ultralight Aeroplane
Medical Fitness:
An applicant for a Student Pilot Permit – Ultra-Light Aeroplane shall be in possession of one of the following:
• (A) a Civil Aviation Medical Declaration (Form 26-0297) with Part B completed by the applicant,
• (B) a Medical Certificate (Form 26-0055), Category 1, 3 or 4, or
• (C) a Medical Assessment Letter (Form 26-0417), Category 1, 3 or 4.
Ultralight Pilot Permit
Medical Fitness:
• (a) An applicant shall hold a Category 4 Medical Certificate valid for a Pilot Permit – Ultra-light Aeroplane.
• (b) An applicant who meets the medical conditions specified on and signs the Civil Aviation Medical Declaration shall be deemed to have met the Category 4 Medical Standards.
• (c) The permit is maintained by a valid Category 1, 3, or 4 Medical Certificate.
• The Category 4 medical is valid for 5 years regardless of age when used to validate an Ultralight Pilot Permit
Passenger Carrying Ultralight
Medical Fitness:
• (a) An applicant holds a Category 4 Medical Certificate valid for a Pilot Permit – Ultra-light Aeroplane.
• (b) An applicant who meets the medical conditions specified on the Civil Aviation Medical Declaration and has signed it is considered to have met the Category 4 Medical Standards, providing a physician licensed to practice medicine in Canada has signed Part C of the declaration.
• (c) The medical validity period for the permit holder under 40 years of age is 60 months and for a permit holder 40 years of age or over, is 24 months.
• (d) The permit is maintained by a valid Category 1, 3, or 4 Medical Certificate.
Flight Instructor Rating – Ultralight Aeroplane
Medical Fitness:
– An applicant shall hold a Category 3 Medical Certificate.
– The medical validity period for the Instructor rating – Ultralight Aeroplane is 60 months
Recreational Pilot Permit
Medical Fitness:
• (a) An applicant shall hold a Category 4 Medical Certificate valid for a Pilot Permit — Recreational — Aeroplane.
• (b) An applicant who meets the medical conditions specified on the Civil Aviation Medical Declaration and has signed it shall be deemed to have met the Category 4 Medical Standards, providing a physician licensed to practice medicine in Canada has signed Part C of the declaration.
• (c) The permit is maintained by a valid Category 1, 3, or 4 Medical Certificate.
• (d) The medical validity period for the permit holder under 40 years of age is 60 months and for a permit holder 40 years of age or over, is 24 months.
Private Pilot Licence
Medical Fitness:
• (a) An applicant shall hold a Category 3 Medical Certificate valid for a Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplanes:
? (i) where an applicant holds a Category 4 Medical Certificate for the purpose of a Student Pilot Permit, the applicant shall upgrade to a Category 3 Medical Certificate prior to making application for the
Private Pilot Licence – Aeroplane.
• (b) The licence is maintained by a valid Category 1 or 3 Medical Certificate.
• (c) The medical validity period for the licence holder under 40 years of age is 60 months and for a permit holder 40 years of age or over, is 24 months.