Where can I get information on conducting a flight to the US?
Thanks
T
VFR To USA
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The Wizard of OZ
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Go to http://www.copanational.org click on the flying in canada link, then transborder operations(customs). You will find some good information there.
Not sure exactly what kind of information you mean, but there's also a lot of good info in the AIP.
The important thing to remember is that you have to be on a flight plan and, in many cases, you need to speak with ATC to obtain a code before entering US airspace. The easiest way to do this is to be on flight following with Canadian ATC & get the handoff.
Also, watch out for TFRs (temporary flight restrictions) and MOAs (military operating areas).
The important thing to remember is that you have to be on a flight plan and, in many cases, you need to speak with ATC to obtain a code before entering US airspace. The easiest way to do this is to be on flight following with Canadian ATC & get the handoff.
Also, watch out for TFRs (temporary flight restrictions) and MOAs (military operating areas).
Yup Squawk & Speak is the way to go. Also, make sure you choose an Airport Of Entry close to the border. There have been a few horror stories regarding pilots arriving late at their AOE and being fined quite a lot.
If you expect more that 15-20 minutes delay to destination, land somewhere in Canada and call US Customs to schedule another arrival time.
Copa Website has a ton of good info.
If you expect more that 15-20 minutes delay to destination, land somewhere in Canada and call US Customs to schedule another arrival time.
Copa Website has a ton of good info.
Generally speaking, you need to arrange customs clearance at an airport-of-entry with the appropriate authorities. As was mentioned by benwa, it's probably better to arrange to land and clear customs at an airport close to the border to avoid being late and paying penalties or just plain being denied entry.Tango01 wrote:Thanks guys. Also, about customs and decals and all this confusing stuff, what's up with that?
Sometimes customs contact info can be obtained from http://www.airnav.com. Other times you may have to look it up on cbp.gov (that's Customs and Border Protection's website). The ports-of-entry are listed at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/.
If you want to be a real keener, you can go to this website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/forms/ and print out form 178, which is the private aircraft encforcement arrival report (or some other government-type name like that).
As for the decals, this is more of a fee-collection and traffic monitoring system. If this is the aircraft's first time flying into the US, they might charge you a fee (usually under $10 US) and then tell you to get a decal. If the a/c has come to the US before, you should get a decal. They're $25 US and available online at CBP.gov.
The key to this is to communicate with the US border authority, to be honest, and, most importantly, be on time.
Good luck!
Tango ----- all good advice, but since I don't know what you will be flying or where to in the US, I give you a word of caution. If you are flying something on the smaller size, be careful of your altitudes over certain States. Many of the midwest and western States are loaded with aerial weapons ranges and their "ceilings" are high in some of them. They are operating on UHF, so talking to them is not an option in a "jam". Will you be warned beforehand by MOT or FAA?...... maybe "Yes" and maybe "No", but don't count on it buddy.
Tango01:
When I was an instructor at Springbank (CYBW) I created a ground school at the Flying Club for those specifically wanting to fly from Canada to the US in their own private or rented aircraft. It was tailored specifically to answer questions regarding border crossing, airspace comparison and differences, airport differences including beacons & lighting, how to read their VFR sectionals (which I must admit are way nicer than ours in Canada) and the important regs to note regarding altitudes, emergencies, and basic IFR operations. If you'd like PM me with your email and I'll send you my outline, it was all done in PowerPoint format and is easy to read without needing someone to teach it to you.
I skimmed through the posts here and saw a few main points to emphasize. You must be talking to SOMEONE before you cross (a US FSS will do) and you must be given a Code for the box before you cross as well (FSS can give this to you as well) Take time to look at any MOA's (Military Operating Areas) that you may be flying into and YES you can fly through them VFR but not IFR. Look at the purple/magenta text on the legend of your US VFR Sectional to determine what times all the MOA's on that map are active, what type of military aircraft you might see in them, and a phone number you can contact for the controlling agency to find out more info about specific ones.
if you have any other questions, shoot, and I'll see if I can either answer them or reference them for ya.
LJD
When I was an instructor at Springbank (CYBW) I created a ground school at the Flying Club for those specifically wanting to fly from Canada to the US in their own private or rented aircraft. It was tailored specifically to answer questions regarding border crossing, airspace comparison and differences, airport differences including beacons & lighting, how to read their VFR sectionals (which I must admit are way nicer than ours in Canada) and the important regs to note regarding altitudes, emergencies, and basic IFR operations. If you'd like PM me with your email and I'll send you my outline, it was all done in PowerPoint format and is easy to read without needing someone to teach it to you.
I skimmed through the posts here and saw a few main points to emphasize. You must be talking to SOMEONE before you cross (a US FSS will do) and you must be given a Code for the box before you cross as well (FSS can give this to you as well) Take time to look at any MOA's (Military Operating Areas) that you may be flying into and YES you can fly through them VFR but not IFR. Look at the purple/magenta text on the legend of your US VFR Sectional to determine what times all the MOA's on that map are active, what type of military aircraft you might see in them, and a phone number you can contact for the controlling agency to find out more info about specific ones.
if you have any other questions, shoot, and I'll see if I can either answer them or reference them for ya.
LJD
also, go on http://www.aopa.org to look at the current TFR's in the US airspace (Temporary Flight Restrictions). These include areas such as nuclear power plants, or sports stadiums and disney land. These ones are more permanent but some pop up only for a short while such as when the President is scheduled to be in a certain city for the day or there is a parade going on etc etc.
under IFR, ATC will coordinate the spacing, but VFR you're on your own. Don't go into one of these unless you want to see what military intercept signals look like up close and personal
under IFR, ATC will coordinate the spacing, but VFR you're on your own. Don't go into one of these unless you want to see what military intercept signals look like up close and personal
