F;ying to Montreal from the US

On 2008-07-15, Viperdoc wrote:
Anyone had any experience landing at Trudeau? How hard is it to clear
customs? How about the FBO's? Any other tips?

When I was living in White Plains, flying out of HPN, I used to do it
all the time. AOPA has much useful info about flying into Canada.

First thing, plan ahead for coming back. You need to send the U.S.
customs people $25 and they'll send you a sticker for your plane.
Unless things have changed (again), you can't just buy it when you cross
the border, you have to order it ahead of time. First time across, I
didn't have the sticker, but was able to show a receipt. Coming back
into the U.S., I usually stopped at BTV so the rest of my flight would
be domestic. Coming back into the U.S. you have to make an appointment
with the specific customs office you plan to clear (I got to know the
guy who works the Sunday afternoon shift by name). I got their phone
number from the AOPA airport guide.

Going into Canada, there's an 800 number to call before you leave. Give
them the usual info, origin, number of passengers, whether you're
bringing in guns, ETA, etc. When you land, if they aren't there to meet
you, you call the same 800 number and they'll give you a transaction
number over the phone. Otherwise, they'll do the usual document check.
Write the number somewhere safe, like in your log book in case there
are any questions later.

After you get home, expect a bill from Nav Canada (privatized ATC) for
services. They bill quarterly, same rate as the annual fee for Canadian
aircraft, pro-rated.

Crossing the border, you need to be on a flight plan and squawking a
transponder code. Flight Following is easiest if you're not IFR. I
just call up BTV approach if not already on FF.

Montreal controllers are fluently bilingual and switch between the two
languages like light switches. They usually remember to use English
for N-registered aircraft. Don't worry too much about the French
interactions: if it affects you, they'll repeat it for you.

Slightly different terminology. Circuit, not pattern; decimal, not
point. Not to worry too much. Montreal ATC is used to dealing with
American pilots. Made them laugh once. The short runway is 9000 feet
but they were doing maintenance and asked me if 4000 was okay. I told
them it was a stretch, but I think I could managed it.

Get the Canadian charts, and the Canada Flight Supplement (equivalent of
the U.S. A/FD. VNC is the equivalent of the sectional, and Montreal has
a terminal chart.

They'll probably route you direct to the Mercier Bridge which puts you
on a base leg for 24L. I forget what they do for 06R, but I think it's
also direct Mercier Bridge.

If not following the I-87 (I Follow Roads), I usually pick it up around
the border and waggle my wings at the lineup of cars sitting at the
border crossing.

I parked at the Esso (Exxon) station, Avitat. Never tried the Shell
station. Big(gish) airport: they serve mainly corp jet traffic, so
it's well-appointed. Helpful staff. Call ahead if you need a rental
car.

Email me if you have any specific questions.


Morris