andrew phillips
Well Known Member
I made my first US border crossing yesterday. There is a lot of apprehension about all the things that need to be done to be legal. Here is a summary of what I did and it all went well. Side note, anybody flying near Washington DC (100 mile radius) should learn the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) procedures and take the online test through faasafety.gov before going near.
BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURES
General:
- Have all aircraft documents on board (ins, reg, license, medical, journey log, c of a, canpass etc.)
- Have customs sticker (US) ? not a requirement but good to have
- Have Canpass registration completed - not a requirement but good to have
- Have Passport
Prior to flight:
- File eApis online for pilot and passengers
- File flightplan ? get transponder code
- Call US customs at arrival airport to let them know you are coming
Return flight:
- File flight plan to cross border ? get transponder code ? use auto open for the US flight plan or ask the ATC controllers to open it. Canadian flight plans are all auto open
- File eApis departure (need to know your last US point of departure)
- contact 1-888-CANPASS (alternate 613-659-4576) 2 to 48 hrs before returning to Canada ? if you have this service
BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURES
General:
- Have all aircraft documents on board (ins, reg, license, medical, journey log, c of a, canpass etc.)
- Have customs sticker (US) ? not a requirement but good to have
- Have Canpass registration completed - not a requirement but good to have
- Have Passport
Prior to flight:
- File eApis online for pilot and passengers
- File flightplan ? get transponder code
- Call US customs at arrival airport to let them know you are coming
Return flight:
- File flight plan to cross border ? get transponder code ? use auto open for the US flight plan or ask the ATC controllers to open it. Canadian flight plans are all auto open
- File eApis departure (need to know your last US point of departure)
- contact 1-888-CANPASS (alternate 613-659-4576) 2 to 48 hrs before returning to Canada ? if you have this service