TThhee AAOOPPAA//CCOOPPAA GGuuiiddee ttoo CCrroossss BBoorrddeerr OOppeerraattiioonnss ((UUnniitteedd SSttaatteess//CCaannaaddaa)) (Major changes: Daylight Savings Time updated) 27th Edition – October 2009 Copyright Canadian Owners and Pilots Association and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association 2009 The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 1 Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Preflight Planning and Preparation General Planning Charts Flight Supplements Chapter 2 – Getting There Section 1 – General Information Departure US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) US Waiver Process for no transponder or no radio NOTAMs Flight Plans Operations to Border-Straddling Airports Overflight Flying Borrowed, Leased or Rented Aircraft US Experimental Aircraft, Canadian Amateur Built Aircraft and Canadian Ultralight Aircraft US Ultralight Vehicles Operating Under FAR Part 103 US Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Canadian Owner-Maintenance Category Aircraft Seaplanes Licenses and Certificates Aircraft Radio Station Licences and Pilot Radio Operator Certificates Section 2 – Arrival in Canada Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Charges to Clear Customs in Canada? Canadian Customs Procedures CANPASS Arrival Requirements Inward/Outward Declaration Aircraft and Pilot Documentation Aircraft Documentation Insurance Pilot Documentation Identification Requirements Passport Travelling With Children Visa The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 2 Immunization Terminal Fees Nav Canada User Fees Transport Canada’s Toll-Free Information Hotline Section 3 – Arriving in the United States Departure from Canada Flight Plan Arrival in the United States Airports of entry ADCUS (Advise Customs) Fingerprinting for Non-Canadians and Non-Americans Fingerprinting Canadian Citizens born in the Middle East Visa-Waiver General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) US Customs and Border Protection Decal US Customs and Border Protection Hours Overtime Charges User-Fee Airports US Customs and Border Protection Do’s and Don’ts U.S. Paperwork Expensive Items/Large Amounts of Cash Occupant Obligations Radioactive Scan of Aircraft – Now Mandatory Radioactive Aircraft Instruments Flying in Maine Temporary Import Bond Cost Sharing – US Customs and Border Protection view of Commercial versus Private Chapter 3 – Canadian Flight Rules Canada's Airspace Structure Classification Mode C Transponder Requirements Transponder Airspace High Altitude Control Areas Canadian Airspace Boundaries Northern and Southern Domestic Airspace Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels Class G airspace — Recommended Operating Procedures — En Route Airport Traffic Procedures Traffic Circuit Procedures — Uncontrolled Aerodromes VFR Communication Procedures at Aerodromes with MFs and ATFs: The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 3 Use of Cell Phones Minimum Altitudes — Overflying Aerodrome Controlled VFR (CVFR) Procedures VFR Weather Minimums Special VFR (Control zones only) IFR Approach Ban Pre-flight Information and Aircraft Requirements Canadian Flight Plans And Flight Itineraries VFR Plans Canadian Flight Plan Filing Flight Plans, Getting Weather and NOTAMs ICAO Flight Plans Defense VFR (DVFR) Flight Plans IFR Flight Plans IFR Alternate Airport Requirements Fuel Requirements *VFR Flights (Night and VFR Over the Top) IFR Flights Altimeter Setting Procedures Altimeter Setting Region Standard Pressure Region Designated Mountainous Regions Major Differences Between Canadian And U.S. Procedures Flight Restrictions In National And Provincial Parks Flying Canadian-Registered Aircraft Foreign Licence Options for Flying Canadian Aircraft in Canada Repair Services for US Aircraft in Canada Fuel If You Are Flying On To Overseas Destinations For A More Detailed Look At The CARs Canadian Owners And Pilots Association Chapter 4 – United States Flight Rules United States Airspace Cruising Altitudes Special VFR VFR Over The Top IFR Approach Ban IFR Alternates U.S. Flight Plans Information required in a VFR Flight Plan Information required in an IFR Flight Plan U.S. Flight Plan Form U.S. Special Equipment Codes (Block 3) Defence VFR Flight Plans Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) Requirements The Washington ADIZ The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 4 U.S. Air Defense Identification Zones U.S. Flight Service Flight Watch Military Operations Areas (MOAs) Maintenance Performed On Canadian Aircraft By U.S. Maintenance Personnel Required Flying Equipment And Operating Information In The US Flying US-Registered Aircraft International travel and the new CAT III Medical Validity Periods For A More Detailed Look At The FARs Chapter 5 – Travelers’ Information Local Information for Travelers in Canada Language Climate and Clothing Recreation Currency Banking in Canada Credit Cards Electric Current Time Zones in Canada Daylight Savings Time Pets Plant material Insects Firearms Health Care Insurance – Canada & USA Appendix A – Sources Section 1 — Aviation Associations and Tourism Information Section 2 — Aeronautical Charts and Publications Suppliers Section 3 — Customs and Immigration Suppliers Citizenship and Immigration Section 4 — Canadian and U.S. Government Tourism Offices Section 5 - Aeronautical Information Services Section 6 – FAA Flight Standards District Offices Appendix B – Special Flight Considerations for Canada Emergency Procedures Emergency Air Strips Survival Advisory Information Over Water Life Saving Equipment Requirements Single-Engine Operations in Northern Canada Winter Flying Mountain Flying Tips Routes Through British Columbia Cranbrook to Prince George The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 5 Vancouver to Prince George Prince George to Watson Lake via Rocky Mountain Trench VFR Coastal Flying in British Columbia Interception Of Civil Aircraft Signals For Use In The Event Of Interception Appendix C – CANPASS Appendix D – Instructions for Completing Canadian and ICAO Flight Plan Forms AOPA/COPA Checklist for Cross-Border Operations The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 6 CHAPTER 1 – PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION Flying between Canada and the United States is probably the easiest “international” flight that a recreational flyer can make, even here in the security conscious era after September 11th 2001. The procedures, language and love of general aviation are shared by both countries and will make your trip a very smooth one. The procedures for crossing the border are boiled down into a short one-page checklist at the back of this book; the intervening pages amplify them and provide additional information about the slight variances between Canadian and United States regulations and procedures, in order to make your trip an enjoyable success. Please keep in mind that this is a guide and as such is not a legal document covering the rules and regulations of each country. For official flight information you will need to reference the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for Canada and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for the United States. These publications are both available on the internet and also on paper from the respective government agencies. Contact information is in Appendix A. Additional publications that will be useful include the Canada Flight Supplement, Airport/Facility Directory, and aeronautical charts, all of which are discussed later in this chapter. Return to Table of Contents General Planning Experience has shown that the key to a smooth trip is adequate, organized, and early preparation. You have already accomplished the first step by obtaining this AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross-Border Operations. A careful and thorough review of this booklet in addition to reviewing more information available in the Canadian Operations area in AOPA Online’s members-only area and under the “Flying In Canada” tab of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) web site will help you in planning. Don’t wait until the day before your trip; some time will be necessary to collect and review documentation, get the maps and flight information publications you will need, plan customs notification and learn use of survival gear when required. It will be helpful to organize documents and equipment for convenient, ready access during your flight. When returning, separating items purchased abroad should further expedite customs clearance inspections. Circumstances will differ from person to person and may warrant alternative methods in some cases. Should you encounter a situation not addressed in this booklet or have any questions regarding the information it contains, you are encouraged to contact our Aviation Specialists at 800/872-2672 (AOPA) or 613/236-4901 (COPA). Return to Table of Contents The AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations 7 Charts As you prepare for your cross-border flight, your first order of business will be to obtain the proper charts and supplements you’ll need for the trip. At a minimum, most pilots will need Sectional (U.S.) or Visual Navigation Charts (Canada) that cover the route and the Airport/Facility Directories (U.S.) or Canada Flight Supplement (the sole available paper airport directory for Canada). US charts show portions of Canada and Canadian charts show parts of the US. It is legal to fly on charts from the other country, but may not be advisable. In the past there have been numerous errors on US chart portions of Canada, showing airspace boundaries incorrectly, for instance. Canadian charts have also had inaccuracies in showing the US. You are advised to get the right national