Flying into Canada

[O. Sami Saydjari]

I expect this question has been asked many times here....but here goes.

Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.

The last time I contacted FSS, I got different answers everytime I
asked. I read on a previous thread that perhaps I need a radiotelephone
operators license, but that nobody will actually check for it. is that
right?

If I want to land in Canada, do I have to first land in some designated
port of entry to be inspected in some way? Do I have to land at some
U.S. inspection point on the way back to the U.S.?

Just to be concrete, I am flying from central Wisconsin to Maine this
weekend. I will likely fly over Canadian airspace. Then, when I get
there, I am considering a trip up to the Saint John/Bay of Fundy area.
If anyone knows a good airport up there, I would appreciate a pointer.

Thanks in advance!

-Sami
N2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III

[Dan Thompson]

Great explanation. I would add a couple of nuances.

1. The AOPA/COPA info is a great start, but you have to call both Canadian
and US Customs to verify procedures, operating hours and locations of the
airports of entry, because they frequently change and the AOPA info is not
necessarily current. I have gotten messed up a couple of times, for
example, finding out one customs office was no longer available on Sunday,
closed for the winter, etc.

2. Going to Canada is basically being on a DVFR or IFR flight plan, with ATC
squawk, and a toll-free phone call when you arrive. Coming back to the U.S.
is the full monty. The main thing I tell my passengers, who are often my
teenage children and their friends, is that it is "yes sir," "no sir," and
no jokes with the Customs Officer until it is clear that he is in the mood
for it.

3. There is no point in doing any paperwork ahead of time. It is quick to
fill it out on the spot, especially with the customs guy there to walk you
through it.

4. Also no need to buy a sticker ahead of time. The last two times I
crossed the border the customs office was out of stickers and they didn't
worry about it. The guy gave me an order form and said I could buy one by
mail if I want to; yeah right. Told me that a lot of agents think it is
ridiculous they have to be the first line of defense against an invasion
across our borders and sell these lousy stickers too.

5. The U.S. Customs guys are usually kind of cranky and scary. I think
these guys have their hands full with legitimate customs and smuggling
issues, like 18-wheelers full of smuggled cigarettes, ship containers of
counterfeit Levis, people arriving on airliners asking for political asylum,
and such, and having to take time out to go to the airport and "inspect"
returning U.S. citizens on their vacations in their private planes really is
a diversion from more important things they should be doing. The one
exception to this I have seen is Ft. Pierce, Florida, where a lot of little
private planes come in from the Bahamas and points further down that way,
and the customs office is manned all the time. Those guys probably have the
best job in the U.S. Customs Service, and they act like it.

> wrote in message
...
>
> On 15-Mar-2004, "O. Sami Saydjari" > wrote:
>
> > Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
> > Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
> > flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
> > I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.
>
>
> First of all, the simple stuff. Discrete transponder codes are required
for
> cross-border VFR flights, but, as you correctly surmise, if you are IFR
that
> is not an issue. If you are just flying over Canadian airspace and not
> landing in Canada, customs is also not an issue. However, if you use
> Canadian ATC services (which are semi-privatized), you will later receive
a
> bill for a few bucks, payable by credit card.
>
> If you want to land in Canada, you need to do so first at an airport of
> entry, i.e. one with customs service. Canadian customs is really fairly
> simple. Before departing the US (at least 1 hour in advance) call
Canadian
> customs at 1-888-226-7277 (888-CANPASS) to advise them of your intentions.
> They will want to know stuff like the aircraft number, point of departure,
> airport of arrival, ETA, number and nationality of occupants, etc. When
> filing your US flight plan, under "comments" note that you will require
> customs service. (This really doesn't do anything, but it's apparently
> still in the regs.) When you arrive at the Canadian destination, ask
ground
> control for taxi to customs. (At uncontrolled fields, there should be
> signs.) How customs is handled from that point seems to vary by location,
> but the process is fairly painless and free. I strongly recommend that
you
> bring passports for all aboard -- not STRICTLY required for US citizens,
but
> makes things much easier. Customs will give you a registration number
that
> you should write down and keep in the airplane. This provides evidence of
> clearance if any issues arise.
>
> Unfortunately, returning to the US is not nearly as simple. First of all,
> you have to alert US customs in advance where and when you will be
arriving.
> It has to be an airport of entry, but such a designation does not mean
that
> customs service will be there, even during normal business hours.
> Furthermore, unlike Canadian customs, there is no central number to call.
> Instead, you have to call the customs office at the airport you intend to
> land at and negotiate a time of arrival. What's the phone number for that
> customs office? You would think that the US Customs service would make
that
> information available online, but I've never found it. Fortunately, AOPA
> members can find a complete listing at
> http://www.aopa.org/members/files/guides/custaprt.html. This calling
ahead
> can sometimes be challenging because, as I noted, the customs offices at
> smaller airports are often unmanned. Then, you need to arrive precisely
at
> the negotiated time, give or take a few minutes, to assure that the
customs
> agent will be there. File a Canadian flight plan, and be sure to check
the
> "ADCUS" (advise customs) box.
>
> When you arrive for US Customs inspection, you will have to fill our two
> lengthy forms. Customs charges an annual $25 fee for each airplane, for
> which you get a very ugly decal that you are supposed to plaster on the
> outside of your airplane near the passenger door. If you don't have the
> decal, the customs agent will collect the $25 and you will be sent the
decal
> by mail for any future (same year) use.
>
> The bill for Canadian ATC services will come some time later. For light
> aircraft, the charges will typically be around US$13 or so.
>
>
> --
> -Elliott Drucker

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "Dan Thompson" > said:
>2. Going to Canada is basically being on a DVFR or IFR flight plan, with ATC
^^^^
You only need DVFR if you're going through an ADIZ. Going the normal way
over a land border, a regular VFR flight plan suffices.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Either way, it'll remind the clued that there's only one letter
difference between 'turkey' and 'turnkey'.
-- Mike Andrews

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, said:
>Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?

http://www.rochesterflyingclub.com/flying_to_canada.shtml


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
You're nicer than I. I was thinking "Mark, would you recognize a clue
if one were gnawing on the end of your dick?"
-- random

[Nathan Young]

On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 22:33:27 -0600, "O. Sami Saydjari"
> wrote:

>I expect this question has been asked many times here....but here goes.
>
>Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
>Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
>flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
>I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.
>
>The last time I contacted FSS, I got different answers everytime I
>asked. I read on a previous thread that perhaps I need a radiotelephone
>operators license, but that nobody will actually check for it. is that
>right?
>
>If I want to land in Canada, do I have to first land in some designated
>port of entry to be inspected in some way? Do I have to land at some
>U.S. inspection point on the way back to the U.S.?
>
>Just to be concrete, I am flying from central Wisconsin to Maine this
>weekend. I will likely fly over Canadian airspace. Then, when I get
>there, I am considering a trip up to the Saint John/Bay of Fundy area.
>If anyone knows a good airport up there, I would appreciate a pointer.

I've overflown Canada before (Chicago to Niagara), as long as you are
on a VFR or IFR flightplan, and talking to ATC, that's all there is to
it. No additional paperwork (FAA, customs, or otherwise).

Canadian ATC may send you a bill for the usage of their services,
although they typically only do that if you land at a Canadian
facility.

Flying from the US and landing in Canada is a different story, but
I've never done that, so I'll let someone who is familiar walk through
the details.

-Nathan

[Mike Rapoport]

I believe that Canada also requires proof of insurance.

Mike
MU-2

"Don Tuite" > wrote in message
...
> RE: Documentation:
>
> From the EAA: "The US and Canada have agreed not to require US or
> Canadian pilots to have a restricted radio-telephone license or an
> Aircraft Radio Station License."
>
>
http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/operating/articles/US%20-%20Canada%20Border%20Crossing%20For%20Amateur-Built%20Aircraft.html
>
> From AOPA: The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross-Border Operations (United
> States/Canada) - Arrival Requirements:
>
> http://www.aopa.org/members/files/travel/canada/can02.html
>
> Aircraft Documentation
>
> Aircraft registration certificate (temporary "pink slip" registration
> forms are not valid for international flights);
> Aircraft airworthiness certificate (for aircraft with a C of A);
> Aircraft operating limitations (including the "Standardized Validation
> of a Special Airworthiness Certificate - Experimental, for the Purpose
> of Operating a United States-Registered Amateur-Built Aircraft in
> Canadian Airspace);
> Weight and balance information;
> FAA 337 form when the aircraft has been fitted with extra fuel tanks
> in the baggage or passenger compartments.
>
> Don

[Eric Rood]

Paul Tomblin wrote:

> http://www.rochesterflyingclub.com/flying_to_canada.shtml

Paul, your link "Another flying club tackles the same problem" no longer
works.

[Bob Chilcoat]

I believe the sticker is only good for three months. Ours shows an
expiration date that is long before we plan on making another trip, so we
didn't bother to stick it on. It DOES need to be stuck on if you want to
use it again. The guy at Burlington said that they expect to see it stuck
on next time we arrive.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


> wrote in message
...
>
> On 15-Mar-2004, "O. Sami Saydjari" > wrote:
>
> > Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
> > Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
> > flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
> > I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.
>
>
> First of all, the simple stuff. Discrete transponder codes are required
for
> cross-border VFR flights, but, as you correctly surmise, if you are IFR
that
> is not an issue. If you are just flying over Canadian airspace and not
> landing in Canada, customs is also not an issue. However, if you use
> Canadian ATC services (which are semi-privatized), you will later receive
a
> bill for a few bucks, payable by credit card.
>
> If you want to land in Canada, you need to do so first at an airport of
> entry, i.e. one with customs service. Canadian customs is really fairly
> simple. Before departing the US (at least 1 hour in advance) call
Canadian
> customs at 1-888-226-7277 (888-CANPASS) to advise them of your intentions.
> They will want to know stuff like the aircraft number, point of departure,
> airport of arrival, ETA, number and nationality of occupants, etc. When
> filing your US flight plan, under "comments" note that you will require
> customs service. (This really doesn't do anything, but it's apparently
> still in the regs.) When you arrive at the Canadian destination, ask
ground
> control for taxi to customs. (At uncontrolled fields, there should be
> signs.) How customs is handled from that point seems to vary by location,
> but the process is fairly painless and free. I strongly recommend that
you
> bring passports for all aboard -- not STRICTLY required for US citizens,
but
> makes things much easier. Customs will give you a registration number
that
> you should write down and keep in the airplane. This provides evidence of
> clearance if any issues arise.
>
> Unfortunately, returning to the US is not nearly as simple. First of all,
> you have to alert US customs in advance where and when you will be
arriving.
> It has to be an airport of entry, but such a designation does not mean
that
> customs service will be there, even during normal business hours.
> Furthermore, unlike Canadian customs, there is no central number to call.
> Instead, you have to call the customs office at the airport you intend to
> land at and negotiate a time of arrival. What's the phone number for that
> customs office? You would think that the US Customs service would make
that
> information available online, but I've never found it. Fortunately, AOPA
> members can find a complete listing at
> http://www.aopa.org/members/files/guides/custaprt.html. This calling
ahead
> can sometimes be challenging because, as I noted, the customs offices at
> smaller airports are often unmanned. Then, you need to arrive precisely
at
> the negotiated time, give or take a few minutes, to assure that the
customs
> agent will be there. File a Canadian flight plan, and be sure to check
the
> "ADCUS" (advise customs) box.
>
> When you arrive for US Customs inspection, you will have to fill our two
> lengthy forms. Customs charges an annual $25 fee for each airplane, for
> which you get a very ugly decal that you are supposed to plaster on the
> outside of your airplane near the passenger door. If you don't have the
> decal, the customs agent will collect the $25 and you will be sent the
decal
> by mail for any future (same year) use.
>
> The bill for Canadian ATC services will come some time later. For light
> aircraft, the charges will typically be around US$13 or so.
>
>
> --
> -Elliott Drucker

[Mike Culver]

Visit http://www.popav.com/ListNewsArticleDtl.asp?id=211 for info

"O. Sami Saydjari" > wrote in message >...
> I expect this question has been asked many times here....but here goes.
>
> Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
> Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
> flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
> I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.
>
> The last time I contacted FSS, I got different answers everytime I
> asked. I read on a previous thread that perhaps I need a radiotelephone
> operators license, but that nobody will actually check for it. is that
> right?
>
> If I want to land in Canada, do I have to first land in some designated
> port of entry to be inspected in some way? Do I have to land at some
> U.S. inspection point on the way back to the U.S.?
>
> Just to be concrete, I am flying from central Wisconsin to Maine this
> weekend. I will likely fly over Canadian airspace. Then, when I get
> there, I am considering a trip up to the Saint John/Bay of Fundy area.
> If anyone knows a good airport up there, I would appreciate a pointer.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> -Sami
> N2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, said:
>Paul Tomblin wrote:
>
>> http://www.rochesterflyingclub.com/flying_to_canada.shtml
>
>Paul, your link "Another flying club tackles the same problem" no longer
>works.

Fixed now.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
If you refer to a woman as any form of waterborne African mammal then a quick
death is absolutely the *best* thing that could happen to you next.
-- Adi

[Ben Jackson]

In article >,
Dan Thompson > wrote:
>
>2. Going to Canada is basically being on a DVFR or IFR flight plan, with ATC
>squawk, and a toll-free phone call when you arrive.

I think it's just VFR, not DVFR. When I did it VFR, the discrete squawk
was kind of a joke. I had one code for my 200 mile in-US segment, then
ATC said "squawk VFR, you can try Vancouver Terminal on xxx.yy" and that
was it.

>5. The U.S. Customs guys are usually kind of cranky and scary.

Our US agent was cheerful and pleasant. The two Canadian agents drove
30 minutes from a road checkpoint and were determined to make it
worth their time.

--
Ben Jackson
>
http://www.ben.com/

[Dan Thomas]

>
> "O. Sami Saydjari" > wrote in message >...
> > I expect this question has been asked many times here....but here goes.
> >
> > Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
> > Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
> > flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
> > I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.

Don't be carrying any handguns if you land in Canada. The
government here takes a dim view of such things.
Mostly, landing in Canada is much less hassle than landing in the
US. I suppose that if we had a version of 9-11 happen here, things
would be vastly different.

Dan

[Michelle P]

O. Sami,

The sticker does not have to be on the outside of the aircraft. It needs
to be near a main door of entry. I have mine on the inside of the cargo
door (all three of them 2002-4).
Second I believe the issue now is getting the sticker in advance. I was
told that the local customs guys do not sell them anymore. Getting them
is easy and you can get it by the weekend but it is going to cost you.
For more info you can go to http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/ at
the bottom there is a link labeled Guide for Private Flyers.
For your sticker:
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/user_fee_decal.xml
Have fun Flying in Southern Canada is pretty much like flying the
northern US. Only big difference is you must file a flight and have it
active while enroute. It will cost you about $15 CDN for their services
per quarter.
Michelle

wrote:

>On 15-Mar-2004, "O. Sami Saydjari" > wrote:
>
>
>
>>Exactly what, if anything, do I need if I want to fly into Canada?
>>Does the answer change if I want to land in Canada or if I am just
>>flying through their airspace? I expect to be on an IFR flight plan, so
>>I will already have a squawk code...if that helps.
>>
>>
>
>
>First of all, the simple stuff. Discrete transponder codes are required for
>cross-border VFR flights, but, as you correctly surmise, if you are IFR that
>is not an issue. If you are just flying over Canadian airspace and not
>landing in Canada, customs is also not an issue. However, if you use
>Canadian ATC services (which are semi-privatized), you will later receive a
>bill for a few bucks, payable by credit card.
>
>If you want to land in Canada, you need to do so first at an airport of
>entry, i.e. one with customs service. Canadian customs is really fairly
>simple. Before departing the US (at least 1 hour in advance) call Canadian
>customs at 1-888-226-7277 (888-CANPASS) to advise them of your intentions.
>They will want to know stuff like the aircraft number, point of departure,
>airport of arrival, ETA, number and nationality of occupants, etc. When
>filing your US flight plan, under "comments" note that you will require
>customs service. (This really doesn't do anything, but it's apparently
>still in the regs.) When you arrive at the Canadian destination, ask ground
>control for taxi to customs. (At uncontrolled fields, there should be
>signs.) How customs is handled from that point seems to vary by location,
>but the process is fairly painless and free. I strongly recommend that you
>bring passports for all aboard -- not STRICTLY required for US citizens, but
>makes things much easier. Customs will give you a registration number that
>you should write down and keep in the airplane. This provides evidence of
>clearance if any issues arise.
>
>Unfortunately, returning to the US is not nearly as simple. First of all,
>you have to alert US customs in advance where and when you will be arriving.
> It has to be an airport of entry, but such a designation does not mean that
>customs service will be there, even during normal business hours.
>Furthermore, unlike Canadian customs, there is no central number to call.
>Instead, you have to call the customs office at the airport you intend to
>land at and negotiate a time of arrival. What's the phone number for that
>customs office? You would think that the US Customs service would make that
>information available online, but I've never found it. Fortunately, AOPA
>members can find a complete listing at
>http://www.aopa.org/members/files/guides/custaprt.html. This calling ahead
>can sometimes be challenging because, as I noted, the customs offices at
>smaller airports are often unmanned. Then, you need to arrive precisely at
>the negotiated time, give or take a few minutes, to assure that the customs
>agent will be there. File a Canadian flight plan, and be sure to check the
>"ADCUS" (advise customs) box.
>
>When you arrive for US Customs inspection, you will have to fill our two
>lengthy forms. Customs charges an annual $25 fee for each airplane, for
>which you get a very ugly decal that you are supposed to plaster on the
>outside of your airplane near the passenger door. If you don't have the
>decal, the customs agent will collect the $25 and you will be sent the decal
>by mail for any future (same year) use.
>
>The bill for Canadian ATC services will come some time later. For light
>aircraft, the charges will typically be around US$13 or so.
>
>
>
>

--

Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P

"Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)

Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic

Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity

[Doug]

Although there is an ancient and unenforced FCC requirement for a
radio license, no one checks for it. I have never been asked for
insurance papers either (been up there 4 times, once each year for the
last 4 years).

Also, it is easier if you land at an airport with a permanent customs
officer, that way you don't have to sweat your arrival time and he
doesn't have to travel to check you in. It is also somewhat easier to
avoid the big airports. This is true of coming back to the US.

There is the Canadian "green book" that is the Canadian equivalent to
our AFD. Get it and the charts (I use WAC's), and you are set to go.
They use 126.70 all over for Candian FSS.

There are a lot of FSS on the field and they act as an "official
Unicom". They call it a Mandatory Frequency. They will open and close
your VFR flight plans automatically. Some of these are going away,
however. Also, you have to talk to them to taxi out and takeoff. They
are sort of a non-tower-tower. They are not a tower, but they act like
one. Go in and get a weather briefing. They have the actual paper
weather charts like you read about when you got your private!

The air is the same as the US. The rules are similar. If you can fly
in the US, you can fly in Canada. Just update your GPS, get the charts
and the green book and you are set to go.

[[email protected]]

On 17-Mar-2004, (Doug) wrote:

> The air is the same as the US. The rules are similar. If you can fly
> in the US, you can fly in Canada. Just update your GPS, get the charts
> and the green book and you are set to go.


And speaking of charts, it is sometimes difficult to find IFR enroute and
approach charts for Canada in the pilot shops where US charts are sold.
When they are available, prices are sometimes exorbitant. Here is an online
source for Canadian IFR charts at reasonable prices.
http://www.aerotraining.com/cgi-bin/menucateg?categ=MF&cc=&sid=&group=

And here's one for VFR charts.
http://www.aerotraining.com/cgi-bin/menucateg?categ=MA&cc=&sid=&group=

--
-Elliott Drucker