Cirrus wrote:
Morning everyone!
I'm wondering if I can pick your brains regarding flight plan filing
for US/Canada flights. I recently made a trip from Boeing Field(KBFI)
up to Victoria BC (CYYJ) to learn about the procedures involved in
flying to Canada and back(I'm a U.S pilot based at KBFI). I took my
instructor along since it was my first time, since he has made the trip
numberous times and had great advice. Soooo... Let's asume you fly IFR-
you call up the FSS, file your U.S. Flight plan and make a great
landing at Victoria. For the return trip later that day, is it required
to file a Canadian Flight plan with their FSS ( I think they call them
FICs up there,not sure)? My instructor had me File the CYYJ to KBFI leg
at the same time I filed my Flight plan to Canada, so that it was
already there waiting for me on Clearance Delivery(I never had to call
the FIC). That seems so much easier- Is it OK to file both flight plans
in the US?
FYI, I'm leaving out the customs notification and procedures, as I take
care of those seperately. Just wondering about the flight plan filing.
Also, I've read the Nav Canada and AOPA websites- they seem to indicate
that you must file the Canada international flight plan for the trip
back. So,Did I get lucky filing a US flight plan for the trip back or
is the FSS just filing ICAO for me and I don't know it? Anyone with
experience in this, please give me your thoughts!
Thanks much!

Jamie


IFR flight plans are handled seamlessly across both countries. I don't
know how FSS handles this, but if you use DUATS you will see a note at
the end that says "will be filed with name of ARTCC". If you file
CYYJ to KBFI using duats it will say "will be filed with ZVR" where ZVR
is Vancouver Center. I don't know why AOPA keeps referring to ICAO
flight plans and make it sound like it is a bigger deal than it really
is. I have often used DUATs to file IFR even when departing from
Canada. This way you don't have to worry about the slight differences
in flight plan format.

If you think about, the system has to be seamless because ARTCC sectors
overlap across both countries. Out here, Cleveland Center controls a
large part of southern Ontario, so when someone files a flight plan
from Windor, ON he will be getting his clearance from Cleveland Center
regardless of how he filed the flight plan.

VFR flight plans are entirely different, and are handled seperately.
They are not even seamless within the U.S. You might file your flight
plan with one FSS and if you call the next FSS to open it, they may not
be able to locate it.