Flying to the US

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mathewc
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Flying to the US

Post by mathewc »

I was thinking about doing a trip to the states. Can you guys point me in the right direction with which paperwork I need to get done and who I should contact to do it? I would be flying a Canadian registered 172.

Any info would be appreciated, thanks!
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PAJ
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by PAJ »

There is a pdf available for download on the COPA site called AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations. http://www.copanational.org/Transborder%20Ops.cfm

HTH

PAJ
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Hedley
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by Hedley »

This subject has never, ever been discussed here before.
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Prairie Chicken
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by Prairie Chicken »

In the US you must activate your flight plan, whereas in Canada the flight plan is automatically opened. The following site should help you avoid this common pitfall.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/publications/tp185/1-07/operations.htm
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Hedley
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by Hedley »

click on https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/

To fly VFR to the USA, you should have

0) passports for everyone on board
1) a year-appropriate customs decal for the aircraft
2) EAPIS filled out
3) call the US airport you are landing at and have a
real live Inspector tell you it's ok to arrive - get his
name
4) file a flight plan with 866-wxbrief and ask for
auto-open at your proposed departure time
5) get a squawk code from US ATC before crossing
the border - a Canadian squawk code means diddly.

I might suggest that you choose a US airport fairly
close to the border, so you have a short, predictable
trip - no wx problems, you can't legally divert - and
a solid ETA.

Flying VFR to Canada

0) passports for everyone aboard
1) call 888-canpass and arrange customs at
an airport, they want 2 hr prior notice
2) call 800-wxbrief to file a flight plan with US
FSS, tell them you want auto-open at your
proposed departure time
3) log into EAPIS, register a departure from the USA

As far as I can tell, you don't need a squawk code
from Canadian ATC to cross the border into Canada -
I have asked for one in the past, and ATC acted as
if I was some kind of drooling idiot to ask for one,
so ok, you don't need one.

I might mention that it's a really really good idea
to check for NOTAMS before you cross the border
into the USA. NavCan used to outright refuse to
give them, but if you whine and wheedle, they will
get you the US notams. You want to make sure
that the runway isn't closed ok?

Also, if you are going to fly in the USA, you need
to learn what a TFR is - they follow the President
and VP (he gets a smaller one for some reason)
around, plus any serious candidates for the office.
Also around any big sporting event, there will be
a TFR. I might suggest you click on:

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html

I am actually a member of AOPA, but not COPA.
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Randleman
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by Randleman »

mathewc wrote:I was thinking about doing a trip to the states. Can you guys point me in the right direction with which paperwork I need to get done and who I should contact to do it? I would be flying a Canadian registered 172.

Any info would be appreciated, thanks!
First thing you have to do is order a decal, although I ordered mine down in the states. Next you have to register on EAPIS (Customs and border protection) online, so google that. It is basically the passenger manifest. Than you have to call the border agency at the airport you are going to and let them know. You must submit both EAPIS and the call at least an hour prior to your arrival.

Be careful when going down, you need to be talking to someone when crossing the border, and when you get to the airport, you MUST be + or - 15 minutes of your time. If you are early, circle the airport and wait, if you are late, turn around and go back to Canada because it is not worth the 5000 dollar fine you will receive.

Cheers
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ywgflyboy
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by ywgflyboy »

I have done it a few times... It seems a little bit overwhelming at first but once you do it, it all makes sense.

I have managed to pull the "I am sorry officer I did not realize I needed a decal" three times now, although I told my flight school they should buy a decal.. It is for the aircraft so the owner needs to buy it as far as I know. I will not be trying that story again though, I have a feeling they will catch on!

eapis is a great set up for getting info to them before hand... For me however, the good folks at International Falls did not even know what eapis was when I used it the first time, resulting in it not helping me out at all!

Study your charts and know who to talk to. Do not get into a situation like I did nearing the border and being unable to get in touch with a Radio service. (It was my first time coming across a Receive only freq, took me a while to figure out I had to tune the VOR to chat).

I have also never been inspected by Canada border officers.. Always just get a ref number... :S Makes me a little nervous in a way.
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Hedley
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by Hedley »

You can buy a decal for someone else's airplane. I
have done this many, many times. You don't even
need to have the decal mailed to you, before you
fly to the USA - just print out the online receipt
and you are good to go, because it includes the
decal number. I have done that many times, too :wink:
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ywgflyboy
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by ywgflyboy »

Hedley wrote:You can buy a decal for someone else's airplane. I
have done this many, many times. You don't even
need to have the decal mailed to you, before you
fly to the USA - just print out the online receipt
and you are good to go, because it includes the
decal number. I have done that many times, too :wink:
hmm. good to know. I tired once on the website but it wanted a user account to purchase, only the owner was allowed to create the account..

What a good waste of administrative money... Charging for a decal!
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Hedley
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by Hedley »

Welcome to aviation. You ain't seen nothing yet.
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tonyhunt
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Re: Flying to the US

Post by tonyhunt »

+1 for Hedley's point by point explanation. Try and register for eAPIS a couple of days before the first flight, the website can be a little frustrating.

Ask around before you decide where you will land to clear US Customs. Some locations are friendly and flexible, some locations are not. Same for Canada Customs when returning home. Generally the smaller airports with a single customs agent are best. If you get an agent who is having a bad day, just be polite. He/she has the capability to ruin your day.
PAJ wrote:There is a pdf available for download on the COPA site called AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations. http://www.copanational.org/Transborder%20Ops.cfm

HTH

PAJ
That AOPA/COPA Guide has become too bloated, it is over 150 pages long now and includes unnecessary info such as how to apply for a passport. The size and amount of detail in the guide serves to discourage people from trying something new. The border crossing has a process but it is not onerous. Flying in the US is great, and the support found at the smaller US airstrips is outstanding.
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Tony Hunt
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