Niagara Falls to Dearborn, MI questions!

[Jay Honeck]

Our flight plan for our upcoming vacation is slowly coming together -- and
one of the legs on this 1500 mile excursion is going to take us from Niagara
Falls, NY (IAG) to Dearborn, MI (actually Detroit City, DET). This is
going to take us over Canada -- something we've never done before.

Questions:

1. We want to take the kids to the Henry Ford Museum, in Dearborn. It
appears that Detroit City Airport (DET) is the nearest airport to Dearborn.
Anyone landed there? Is it a pit? Parking fees? Is there a better choice?
Is Willow Run (the old B-24 bomber base) still open?

2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore of
Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?

3. Before going to Niagara Falls, we want to spend a day in Sandusky, OH,
doing the roller coasters. Any tips on where to stay while we're there?

If you're curious, the entire flight plan is:

IOW-K15 (Osage Beach, MO, for the Cherokee Pilots Association annual 3-day
convention)
K15-SKY (Sandusky, OH) Roller coasters...
SKY-IAG (Niagara Falls, NY) Water falls...
IAG-DET (Detroit City) Old cars, airplanes & buildings...
DET-IOW (Iowa City)

Any advice on other portions of this flight are welcome, too!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[john smith]

In article <QN1jg.775141$084.152108@attbi_s22>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> 3. Before going to Niagara Falls, we want to spend a day in Sandusky, OH,
> doing the roller coasters. Any tips on where to stay while we're there?

See if you can get a room at the Park on the Lake Erie shore.
Land at Sandusky/KSKY. The FBO will shuttle all of you to and from the
park for $25 round trip (old rate, call the FBO for current price).
If you do not want to stay at one of the park's lodging establishments,
contact the FBO for any facilities they have a preferred rate with.

[john smith]

In article <QN1jg.775141$084.152108@attbi_s22>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> 2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
> we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore of
> Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
> Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?

Stopping in Canada isn't a problem. As a matter of fact, give Hamilton
ON a serious consideration. The Canadian Warbird Heritage Musuem has an
outstanding facility at the southeast side of the airport. They have
Canadian Customs on the field and a couple FBO's at the southwest side.
NAVCANADA will send you a bill for $15.
Also, consider Toronto ON. Land at City Centre (the island). Take the
ferry across the channel. Walk 100 meters (yards) through the park. The
trolly stop is at the corner. The trolly will take you east into the
heart of the city. There are many fine hotels a reasonable rates.
The Ontario Science Centre is north of the downtown. Take the Yongue
Street subway north to Ellington. Get a transfer and take the bus east
to the Science Centre.
The Ontario Science Centre is five stories built into the side of a
hill. Each level has a different theme. They have a website
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/ so you can check and see what the
special attraction is.
You call ahead 24 hours to both Canadian Customs and US Customs and
provide the personal information for those in your party. Using your
cellphone, call the appropriate facility from the ramp prior to engine
start a provide them with your ETA.
Have the partially filled out US Customs Form (download from AOPA) and
all your aircraft docs and personal identification ready when you land.
do not get out of the airplane until told to do so by the US Customs
offical who greets you. With CANPASS, you go into the FBO, call CANPASS.
They will either give you a identification number or tell you to wait if
they are sending an inspector. Be sure to ask on the phone when you call
with your ETA what they want you to do.
This may sound complicated, it's not. Just be respectful and have the
family comply with any directions issued. You will have to purchase a
$25 US Customs sticker for your aircraft.

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:QN1jg.775141$084.152108@attbi_s22...
> Our flight plan for our upcoming vacation is slowly coming together -- and
> one of the legs on this 1500 mile excursion is going to take us from
> Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) to Dearborn, MI (actually Detroit City, DET).
> This is going to take us over Canada -- something we've never done before.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. We want to take the kids to the Henry Ford Museum, in Dearborn. It
> appears that Detroit City Airport (DET) is the nearest airport to
> Dearborn. Anyone landed there? Is it a pit? Parking fees? Is there a
> better choice? Is Willow Run (the old B-24 bomber base) still open?
>

I believe that Detroit City is pretty quiet nowadays. I haven't been up
there in years, so I can't say for sure. It was supposed to be the happening
place for Super Bowl XL...

Willow Run is still open. The B-24 factory is now a GM Transmission plant.
What's left of the Yankee Air Museum is there. (They had a big fire a couple
years ago - saved the B-17. It still rumbles over my house on occasion.
http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/index.php

Grosse Ile (former Naval Air Station) is another option. There will be a big
RC Jet thing there July 13-16. http://www.grosseileairport.com/

When you planning to do this?

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate.

[Morgans]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote

> K15-SKY (Sandusky, OH) Roller coasters...

Save two days for the roller coasters. You are in for a experience like you
have _never_ had before.

I envy you. Because of my back, the doctors say I will never be allowed to
ride the coasters again. :-(
--
Jim in NC

[Christopher Brian Colohan]

"Morgans" > writes:

> "Jay Honeck" > wrote
>
> > K15-SKY (Sandusky, OH) Roller coasters...
>
> Save two days for the roller coasters. You are in for a experience like you
> have _never_ had before.
>
> I envy you. Because of my back, the doctors say I will never be allowed to
> ride the coasters again. :-(

Or, if you have a choice, go on a weekday. The lines on the weekends
are huge.

Chris

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" > said:
>2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
>we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore of

Yeah, $15 whole Canadian dollars.

>Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
>Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?

No, you don't. If you're not starting at a Canadian airport, you file a
US flight plan.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World
War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
-- Albert Einstein

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, (Paul Tomblin) said:
>In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" > said:
>>2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
>>we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore of
>
>Yeah, $15 whole Canadian dollars.

Oops, I did it again. You only pay the $15 if you land in Canada -
overflights are still free. Either way, it's not something I'd make a
go/no-go decision over.

--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
The pluses in my current job include laughing in the face of Nobel
laureates who have just lost the only copy of their data. (Hey, I'm still
a BOFH). -- Bob Dowling

[Morgans]

"Christopher Brian Colohan" > wrote

> Or, if you have a choice, go on a weekday. The lines on the weekends
> are huge.

Agreed
--
Jim in NC

[Jim Burns]

Tami and I flew from Grand Rapids, MI to Niagara Falls (IAG) on our first
wedding anniversary... 15 years ago. Nothing unusual about crossing over
Canada then, haven't done it since. We stayed on the Island, rented a car
and drove to the Falls.
Jim

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:QN1jg.775141$084.152108@attbi_s22...
> Our flight plan for our upcoming vacation is slowly coming together -- and
> one of the legs on this 1500 mile excursion is going to take us from
> Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) to Dearborn, MI (actually Detroit City, DET).
> This is going to take us over Canada -- something we've never done before.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. We want to take the kids to the Henry Ford Museum, in Dearborn. It
> appears that Detroit City Airport (DET) is the nearest airport to
> Dearborn. Anyone landed there? Is it a pit? Parking fees? Is there a
> better choice? Is Willow Run (the old B-24 bomber base) still open?
>
> 2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
> we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore
> of Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
> Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?
>
> 3. Before going to Niagara Falls, we want to spend a day in Sandusky, OH,
> doing the roller coasters. Any tips on where to stay while we're there?
>
> If you're curious, the entire flight plan is:
>
> IOW-K15 (Osage Beach, MO, for the Cherokee Pilots Association annual 3-day
> convention)
> K15-SKY (Sandusky, OH) Roller coasters...
> SKY-IAG (Niagara Falls, NY) Water falls...
> IAG-DET (Detroit City) Old cars, airplanes & buildings...
> DET-IOW (Iowa City)
>
> Any advice on other portions of this flight are welcome, too!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Jay Honeck]

> When you planning to do this?

We leave for Missouri on Friday.

God only knows where we'll end up after that. Flying the country VFR isn't
a vacation -- it's an adventure! Thus, after the first day or three, our
flight plan becomes somewhat more fictionalized...

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Or, if you have a choice, go on a weekday. The lines on the weekends
> are huge.

From nation-wide experience, we won't even consider doing a theme park on a
weekend. It's just not worth the hassle.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Brien K. Meehan]

I seriously consider KVLL or 1D2 instead of DET.

Alternately, you could try landing at the old Ford Airport, adjacent to
Greenfield Village / Henry Ford Museum:

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MI/Airfields_MI_Detroit_NW.html#ford

[Brien K. Meehan]

Brien K. Meehan wrote:
> Alternately, you could try landing at the old Ford Airport, adjacent to
> Greenfield Village / Henry Ford Museum:

Now that I've posted that, I realize that you might have a special
interest in The Dearborn Inn, across the street from the old airport
(now a test track), and within a mile of Greenfield Village. It was
the world's first airport hotel.

[Ben Jackson]

On 2006-06-12, Jay Honeck > wrote:
>>>Yeah, $15 whole Canadian dollars.
>>
> In the end, it won't hurt Chicago (or Canada) financially if we don't land
> there, but at least I won't feel like I'm contributing to the *******s who
> are trying to kill GA.

Come on, it will cost you $25 for the US Customs sticker for Atlas just
to get back in the country. The CAN$15 ATC fee is nothing!

Well, it's more now than it was last time I was there -- the US$ is
pretty low!

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

[Brien K. Meehan]

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe wrote:
> Grosse Ile (former Naval Air Station) is another option. There will be a big
> RC Jet thing there July 13-16. http://www.grosseileairport.com/

Grosse Ile is historically significant, and is cool to visit (or at
least fly over). The old circular concrete landing area can still be
seen (but not used).

.... but Grosse Ile is a little awkward to get to/from on the ground
(there are only two bridges connecting the island to the mainland that
get quite busy), and nice places to stay and eat aren't plentiful.

When you're in the pattern at Oakland Troy (VLL) or Canton Plymouth
Mettetal (1D2), you can't spit out the window without hitting a
restaurant or hotel. Plus, getting to Dearborn is essentially a
straight shot down the Southfield Fwy or Michigan Avenue, respectively.

[bsalai]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> Our flight plan for our upcoming vacation is slowly coming together -- and
> one of the legs on this 1500 mile excursion is going to take us from Niagara
> Falls, NY (IAG) to Dearborn, MI (actually Detroit City, DET). This is
> going to take us over Canada -- something we've never done before.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. We want to take the kids to the Henry Ford Museum, in Dearborn. It
> appears that Detroit City Airport (DET) is the nearest airport to Dearborn.
> Anyone landed there? Is it a pit? Parking fees? Is there a better choice?
> Is Willow Run (the old B-24 bomber base) still open?
>
> 2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
> we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore of
> Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
> Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?
>
> 3. Before going to Niagara Falls, we want to spend a day in Sandusky, OH,
> doing the roller coasters. Any tips on where to stay while we're there?
>
> If you're curious, the entire flight plan is:
>
> IOW-K15 (Osage Beach, MO, for the Cherokee Pilots Association annual 3-day
> convention)
> K15-SKY (Sandusky, OH) Roller coasters...
> SKY-IAG (Niagara Falls, NY) Water falls...
> IAG-DET (Detroit City) Old cars, airplanes & buildings...
> DET-IOW (Iowa City)
>
> Any advice on other portions of this flight are welcome, too!

When you go to the falls, be sure to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride.
It sounds hokey and touristy, but it is very interesting, and gives you
a view of the falls that you can't get from anywhere else.

When I did it, it left from the Canadian side.

Just my opinion.

Brad

[Blanche Cohen]

And while you're in Toronto, have Tea at the Royal York Hotel.

[john smith]

I just came from a gathering of my soccer team.
One of the family's was in Niagra Falls last weekend.
They report that the area has seen a boom in new hotels.
They also reported that there are young teens employed in many jobs.

[Jay Honeck]

> When you go to the falls, be sure to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride. It
> sounds hokey and touristy, but it is very interesting, and gives you a
> view of the falls that you can't get from anywhere else.

We hope to do just that.

When Mary and I rode our motorcycle to the Falls many moons ago, we couldn't
scrape together enough money to do the Maid of the Mist. This time,
(assuming we actually end up where we're planning to go), we plan to show
the kids the boat ride.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

>I just came from a gathering of my soccer team.
> One of the family's was in Niagra Falls last weekend.
> They report that the area has seen a boom in new hotels.
> They also reported that there are young teens employed in many jobs.

I'm glad to hear it.

As a young couple, Mary and I rode our motorcycle to the falls. In the
early '80s, Niagara Falls had hit rock bottom, with vacant buildings, crime,
and not a lot going on -- other than, of course, the falls themselves, which
were quite beautiful. We (okay, I) had hoped to see Marilyn Monroe clones
everywhere, but all we saw were hard times.

We were quite disappointed, having grown up with the idea that Niagara Falls
was still "honeymoon capital of the world". It's good to hear that there
may be a renaissance in the area.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Beckman]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:faWjg.30985$No1.2105@attbi_s71...
>> When you go to the falls, be sure to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride.
>> It sounds hokey and touristy, but it is very interesting, and gives you a
>> view of the falls that you can't get from anywhere else.
>
> We hope to do just that.
>
> When Mary and I rode our motorcycle to the Falls many moons ago, we
> couldn't scrape together enough money to do the Maid of the Mist. This
> time, (assuming we actually end up where we're planning to go), we plan to
> show the kids the boat ride.
> --
> Jay Honeck

Just DON'T take any electronics (ie cameras) on board unless you have a dive
housing for it.

I couldn't believe the amount of water that was litterally everywhere.

Jay B

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck > wrote:

> We were quite disappointed, having grown up with the idea that Niagara Falls
> was still "honeymoon capital of the world". It's good to hear that there
> may be a renaissance in the area.

One word: Casino

--
Peter

[Morgans]

"Jay Beckman" > wrote

> Just DON'T take any electronics (ie cameras) on board unless you have a
> dive housing for it.
>
> I couldn't believe the amount of water that was litterally everywhere.

Yep. The bilge pumps must get a real workout! :-)
--
Jim in NC

[Peter R.]

Jay Beckman > wrote:

> Just DON'T take any electronics (ie cameras) on board unless you have a dive
> housing for it.

Are you kidding? A photographer with your talents would never pass up the
opportunity to capture that experience on digital media!

I brought my digital camera on board and simply buried it under my blue
raincoat when the mist got very heavy.

--
Peter

[Jay Beckman]

"Peter R." > wrote in message
...
> Jay Beckman > wrote:
>
>> Just DON'T take any electronics (ie cameras) on board unless you have a
>> dive
>> housing for it.
>
> Are you kidding? A photographer with your talents would never pass up
> the
> opportunity to capture that experience on digital media!
>
> I brought my digital camera on board and simply buried it under my blue
> raincoat when the mist got very heavy.
>
> --
> Peter

Thanks for the appreciative words...

Jay B

[Jay Honeck]

>> We were quite disappointed, having grown up with the idea that Niagara
>> Falls
>> was still "honeymoon capital of the world". It's good to hear that there
>> may be a renaissance in the area.
>
> One word: Casino

Oh, yuck...really?

I'm really sick of casinos.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[steve]

I live in the greater Seattle area and planning to do some Canadian fly-in
flyfishing trips.
In doing research I found that to fly into Canada from the US, you need to
file a DVFR, defense VFR. When 15 minutes from the border, you have to radio
in your information.

Let me know if I am mistaken on this.


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:QN1jg.775141$084.152108@attbi_s22...
> Our flight plan for our upcoming vacation is slowly coming together -- and
> one of the legs on this 1500 mile excursion is going to take us from
> Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) to Dearborn, MI (actually Detroit City, DET).
> This is going to take us over Canada -- something we've never done before.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. We want to take the kids to the Henry Ford Museum, in Dearborn. It
> appears that Detroit City Airport (DET) is the nearest airport to
> Dearborn. Anyone landed there? Is it a pit? Parking fees? Is there a
> better choice? Is Willow Run (the old B-24 bomber base) still open?
>
> 2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
> we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore
> of Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
> Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?
>
> 3. Before going to Niagara Falls, we want to spend a day in Sandusky, OH,
> doing the roller coasters. Any tips on where to stay while we're there?
>
> If you're curious, the entire flight plan is:
>
> IOW-K15 (Osage Beach, MO, for the Cherokee Pilots Association annual 3-day
> convention)
> K15-SKY (Sandusky, OH) Roller coasters...
> SKY-IAG (Niagara Falls, NY) Water falls...
> IAG-DET (Detroit City) Old cars, airplanes & buildings...
> DET-IOW (Iowa City)
>
> Any advice on other portions of this flight are welcome, too!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[[email protected]]

>
> 2. I know this was recently covered, but...when we over-fly Canada VFR, do
> we have to pay them a fee? Is flying along the northern (Canadian) shore of
> Lake Erie as cool as it sounds? I know we have to file a
> Canadian/international flight plan -- any gotchas there?
>

I have flown from Willow Run to Buffalo over the north shore of Lake
Erie. Flying along the shoreline is cool, if it is clear the mist from
the falls can be seen from a long way off. The boundary between
Cleveland ARTCC and the Toronto ARTCC is pretty close to the shoreline.
It looks like if you flew directly south from Niagra then followed the
lakeshore you would be talking to US controllers all the way. My plane
is based at Willow and it takes less than 1/2 hour to get to Dearborn.
I don't know about transient parking there tho.

Regards,
Jerry

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck > wrote:

> Oh, yuck...really?
>
> I'm really sick of casinos.

Niagara Falls has two casinos on the Canadian side and one on the US side.
Like them or not, I believe the casinos were responsible for the revival of
the Canadian side over the last ten years.

Unfortunately, what appears to be truly inept and possibly corrupt local
government has prevented the US side of the falls from experiencing the
same level of growth.


--
Peter

[Jay Honeck]

> Unfortunately, what appears to be truly inept and possibly corrupt local
> government has prevented the US side of the falls from experiencing the
> same level of growth.

That's precisely what people were telling us when we were there, over 20
years ago. The Canadian side was much nicer, for no apparent reason.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"