DUATS & Canadian Flight Plans

[Andrew Sarangan]

If I file an IFR flight plan Toronto -> Cleveland, Duats says "Flight
plan accepted by DynCorp IS DUAT service and will be filed with ZYZ
on..." YZY is Toronto Center. The same is true if I file Ottawa ->
Toronto. In that case the flight plan is sent to ZUL (Montreal). So it
appears that the flight plans are handled seamlessly across both
countries for IFR.

However, if I file VFR Toronto -> Cleveland, it says "Flight plan
accepted by DynCorp IS DUAT service and will be filed with ERROR on
...."

Obviously, Duats is unable to link with Canadian FSS services. Anyone
had experience using Duats in Canada?

[Robert M. Gary]

Never used duats in Canada but I can report that 888-WX-BRIEF works
very, very well. The briefings are much less formal than U.S.
briefings. On a recently IFR flight from Vancouver Intl to Friday
harbor the briefer just said, "Looks gooud for weather" (imagine
Canadian accent). :) Hit some IMC on departure but was able to get into
Friday VMC.

-Robert

[Robert M. Gary]

Upon some more reflection, I believe VFR flight plans are not handled
with the ease and grace of IFR. I did file from Sacramento to Vancouver
Intl once VFR and it seemed to work. In fact, after I made an
unexpected "emergency" landing on the way in Oregon (kid in back needed
toilet) the U.S. FSS person told me he couldn't even cancel the
Canadian VFR I had filed.

-Robert