Flight to Canada

[mooniac58]

Hello all,

 

I am looking at possibly taking my Mooney from the Seattle area up to Victoria for a couple nights.  I have never flown outside the US and I don't really know what I am doing or what to expect.

 

Can anyone advise on what steps I would need to take?  I have our passports ready.

[Becca]

Hello all,

 

I am looking at possibly taking my Mooney from the Seattle area up to Victoria for a couple nights.  I have never flown outside the US and I don't really know what I am doing or what to expect.

 

Can anyone advise on what steps I would need to take?  I have our passports ready.

 

Go read the AOPA's web site on flights into Canada.

Set up your eAPIS account

Order yourself a CBP Decal (can take 6 weeks to process, though I undertand most ports of entry will accept a receipt if it doesn't arrive).

Then read the rules about filing flight plans, squawk codes, eAPIS for both arrival and departure, and notifying your arrival airport of when you are coming and going (which I think has to be done between 2-24 hrs of arrival).  Note most smaller airports of entry have limited hours so be alert to the hours of operation.

Check to make sure your aircraft insurance is valid in Canada.

Technically you need a Radio Operator's License and station permit for your plane, I've never heard of these things being checked.

If you have time, become a CANPASS member, that will give you more options regarding arriving at different airports in Canada.

[Cruiser]

take the ferry

[BorealOne]

Becca's advised on the border crossing formalities. Airmanship wise, BFI - YYJ is a lovely flight, recommend you file IFR to make the transitions between the terminal airspaces easier. On a clear day, you'll probably see whales near Friday Harbour. YYJ has a couple of excellent FBOs and a very busy flying club. It's about 30 min north of the city, however, so you'll either want to book a rental or take a cab downtown. There are lots of excellent hops from there - I highly recommend some time in Tofino - YAZ - on a clear day, one of the most spectacular approaches in the country (over Long Beach) and a great place to hang to catch some Van Island vibe (beach fires, surfing, excellent food, etc) or up to Comox (no surfing, but otherwise more of the above)...enjoy!

[OR75]

1-800-canpass

Fly to Abbottford.

EApis to come back to the US

Easy ride

[jdrake]

Just flew from NJ to Toronto on Wednesday.  Very simple process:

 

Pre-work:

1. Get your US customs sticker

2. Get your eAPIS account setup

 

Pre-Flight:

1. File your eAPIS departure manifest at least 2 hours (but not more than 48 hours) prior to wheels up

2. Notify Canada customs of your arrival (CANPASS telephone center 888-226-7277)

3. File flight plan with flight service

4. Ensure receipt of email from US CBP clearing your departure (usually within 60 minutes of filing departure notice)

5. Make sure all passengers and crew have their documents in order

6. Pick an "Airport of Entry" to fly to unless everyone on board has a CANPASS.

 

Flight:

1. Enjoy

2. Open flight plan well in advance of crossing the border and be in touch with ATC

 

Post flight:

1. Before deplaning, call CANPASS again to advise them of your arrival.  They'll ask a few questions and either welcome you to Candad with just a reference number or ask you to wait for an inspector.  I've never had to wait for an inspector.

 

Return flight:

1. File eAPIS arrival manifest with US CBP

2. Notify US Customs of your arrival time and location via telephone (find the US list of service ports online)

3. File flight plan with Canada Flight Service (Nav Canada) 866-992-7433

 

Flight:

1. Enjoy

2. Be on flight plan and with ATC before crossing border

 

Post-flight:

1. Taxi to the FBO or customs area (ask when you call to schedule where you should taxi to)

2. Wait for the inspector to check your docs (personal and aircraft)

 

A couple of other thoughts:

 

Make sure your database has Canada waypoints/airports/approaches if navigating via GPS (or at least get the lat/long of where you're going)

 

Canada phrasology is slightly different than US but it is all seems to make sense.  If in doubt, just ask. 

 

Clearances may not include all of the elements you might expect to receive in the US (i.e. CRAFT).  Again, when in doubt, just ask

 

PM me your email address and I'll send you the simple checklist I created for the trip

[201er]

I have never flown outside the US and I don't really know what I am doing or what to expect.

[carusoam]

Where's the appropriate poll?

Best regards,

-a-

[jlunseth]

Good lists. I would add get Foreflight on your iPad and subscribe to the Can charts. If everything goes well, paper charts and approach plates will work fine, but if something goes amiss during flight the paper you need is always in the back seat under a pile. Way easier to access whatever you need on Foreflight. Ask me how I know. I won't be doing a Canadian flight, or even an overflight with paper again anytime soon.

[BorealOne]

Good lists. I would add get Foreflight on your iPad and subscribe to the Can charts. If everything goes well, paper charts and approach plates will work fine, but if something goes amiss during flight the paper you need is always in the back seat under a pile. Way easier to access whatever you need on Foreflight. Ask me how I know. I won't be doing a Canadian flight, or even an overflight with paper again anytime soon.

 

Ok, I'll bite - how do you know?