Niagra Falls Area

[M20F-1968]

I am thinking of going to Niagra Falls area.  Any recommendations of best GA airport nearby.  Is it best to land on the US side even if I am planning on staying on the Canadian side?

John Breda

[wiguy]

 We flew into KIAG, then cabbed to the Canadian side, bring passports. I don't think the hassle is worth it to land on the Northern side of the border, for the casual flyer without the Customs sticker and all.

  The Canadian side is better to enjoy the Falls experience.

[Guest]

The border crossing is no big deal on the Canadian side.  Call 888-can-pass for customs clearance into Canada, you'll find our side easier than yours.

You'll  need to file Eapis to get permission to leave and re enter the USA.

Clarence

[Danb]

I go to Niagra Falls 3-4 times a year, I fly into Kiag get a car and go over to Ca. Side there are two crossings simple to get into Ca back into Usa they are pains in the  butt, sometimes the back up is 45-60 min into the USA, with a nexus pass you'll save some time. I love it there hope you enjoy.

 

 

 

[jlunseth]

I have filed quite a few eAPIS manifests.  I wouldn't go through that song and dance if the alternate was just to land at KIAG and drive across.  Have to make a phone call to customs an hour before you enter also, and then there is the whole needing a passport thing if you are coming in by air.  I don't believe a regular driver's license is good for even a car crossing anymore, but an Enhanced DL is and i finally bit the bullet and got one.  KIAG is a nice airport, i would land there and drive.  Then there is the small bill you get from CANPASS if you land in CN.

[Guest]

CanPass  is less than $50 CDN for 5 years.  It allows users to clear customs into Canada with a telephone call.  Customs has the right to clear you or meet and inspect you to verify compliance.  You can file up to 48 hours prior to arrival but no less than 2 hours.

If you are not a CanPass holder you still call the same number to arrange clearance.

Clarence

[neilpilot]

Absolutely don't fly to the Canadian side if you don't plan to go beyond the falls. IAG is not only easier than going thru the hassles of US Customs, but much more convenient to the falls than the Canadian options. If you decide to overfly the falls become familiar with the appropriate limitations. I think minimum VFR overflight is 3500 MSL.

I learned to fly at KIAG in the early 70s but haven't been back in decades.

[Hank]

IAG is a nice field. Attended a MAPA PPP there a few years ago, they did a pretty good job keeping the many Mooneys straight. There's a chart for overflying the Falls, with it's own frequency, ground reference points, direction of flow, and separate altitudes for fixed and rotor wing flights. Please find it and use it; there should be copies at the IAG FBO.

We drove downtown, parked the car and walked across the bridge for supper and the nightly light show on the Falls. Seeing the huge traffic jam trying to get into the U.S. made us glad that we had walked!

About things to do:  we discovered why Niagara Falls is a popular honeymoon destination. You can only look at the Falls for so long. There are many very good restaurants, too. But then there is nothing to do except go back to the hotel . . .

Enjoy yourself!

[Marauder]

And don't forget to go to the wax museum.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[yvesg]

14 hours ago, Hank said:

IAG is a nice field. Attended a MAPA PPP there a few years ago, they did a pretty good job keeping the many Mooneys straight. There's a chart for overflying the Falls, with it's own frequency, ground reference points, direction of flow, and separate altitudes for fixed and rotor wing flights. Please find it and use it; there should be copies at the IAG FBO.

We drove downtown, parked the car and walked across the bridge for supper and the nightly light show on the Falls. Seeing the huge traffic jam trying to get into the U.S. made us glad that we had walked!

About things to do:  we discovered why Niagara Falls is a popular honeymoon destination. You can only look at the Falls for so long. There are many very good restaurants, too. But then there is nothing to do except go back to the hotel . . .

Enjoy yourself!

10 days ago I gave my choice to the wife for a week-end trip. Her options were Niagara Falls, Toronto or Quebec city. They are all 1.5 hour flight from base. Then she said please tell me what each has to offer:

Quebec city was the coldest and still had unmelted snow banks all around the city: found that with web cams

Niagara falls: You go watch the falls then what? Motel? Fine but after 36 years together this is not as appealing as it use to be... but still is...

She choose Toronto!

Yves

[Danb]

I'm assuming most don't frequent the nice casinos in Niagra.

[wiguy]

 No to the casino, midlin kid along anyway, not a gambler either.

 

  I think there is plenty of Falls and river to check out, then some nice restaurants nearby.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites, at least they threw in two free drinks at the evening recption. It's a great location too.

[jlunseth]

I guess it really depends on how much you want to fly into Canada.  If it were the Bahamas, the eAPIS and Customs stuff would be the same, going into the Bahamas would be more expensive in terms of landing and exit fees, and I would personally do it in a NY minute because I love going there and it works for me.  Canada, I would drive across.  I think its just preference.

[Ned Gravel]

Yves:

From Ste Catherine's airport it is just a matter of a phone call to do one of the best wine tours in North America.  When Ute and I went in 2012, we flew the falls in the Mooney at 3500', then flew the falls in a helicopter at 1500', then went under the falls in the Maid of the Mist.  The next day we did our wine tour of the boutique wineries and left with 12 bottles of memories.  

[yvesg]

3 hours ago, Ned Gravel said:

Yves:

From Ste Catherine's airport it is just a matter of a phone call to do one of the best wine tours in North America.  When Ute and I went in 2012, we flew the falls in the Mooney at 3500', then flew the falls in a helicopter at 1500', then went under the falls in the Maid of the Mist.  The next day we did our wine tour of the boutique wineries and left with 12 bottles of memories.  

Not that I need to loose lots of weight (currently 200 pounds at 6'1") but happen to try to loose 20 pounds. That kind of tour (wineries) would really spoil it.

Yves