"john smith" wrote in message
...
No a flight plan must be filed when crossing an international border.

No you don't.
When flying from Columbus, Ohio to Port Huron, Michigan, I overfly
Ontario to get there without filing a flight plan. I don't even talk to
anyone the whole route.

Explain why you aren't aware of this:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/pu...71/FAL/2-0.htm
"Private aircraft overflying or landing in Canada for non-commercial
purposes need not obtain prior permission; however, a flight plan must be
filed."

Common sense should tell you that what you state as fact is a bad idea. Did
you ask anyone or otherwise try to educate yourself on this issue before
taking off?

FYI, as one might suspect, it's the same in the States:

http://www.faa.gov/ats/aat/ifim/ifimcaai.htm

Especially since 9/11, and especially in the USA, a pilot is in serious ****
if they enter foreign airspace and in really deep **** if they land without
following proper procedures. How does that affect your decision making
process vis a vis some problem that doesn't absolutely require a diversion
but might suggest a prudent brief stop to check something out?

moo