Quick Flight Briefing – Flying to
Canada
Proof of Citizenship | Aircraft Documentation/Equipment | Pilot Credentials | Pre-Clearance Items | Entry into Canada | Flight Operations Canada | Returning to the U.S. | Charts | AOPA/COPA Checklist for Cross-Border Flight Operations
This
briefing is designed to be advisory in nature for a private pilot conducting a
recreational flight and is not intended to be a substitute for thorough and
adequate preparation.
Flying to
Canada in a private aircraft can be one of a pilot's most enjoyable adventures.
From the mountains of British Columbia to the lakes and plains of the interior,
Canada provides spectacular views and interesting locations that can often be
reached only by aircraft.
Here is
a brief set of operating tips to help you get started.
Each person on board must have a current passport or birth certificate. The
birth certificate must be the original or a certified copy. Certified copies
have a raised or embossed seal on them. Birth certificates require accompanying
photo identification.
Any
minor children on the flight accompanied by only one parent must have a
notarized letter from the absent parent authorizing the trip. Specific dates,
places, and names should be included. For single-parent households, contact
AOPA's Pilot Information Center for further information 1-800-USA-AOPA.
Aircraft Documentation/Equipment
A standard airworthiness certificate, permanent registration certificate (no temporaries
or pink slips), radio station license
(even though no longer required for domestic operations, it is still needed for
international operations), operating limitations, and weight and balance are
required. If the aircraft is registered in another person's or corporation's
name, we recommend that you have a notarized letter authorizing use of the
aircraft for flight in Canada.
Bring
an original, completed Form 337 if fuel tanks have been installed in the
baggage or passenger compartment. You should also verify insurance coverage
with your agent to be sure that your coverage extends into Canada.
Private
aircraft must be covered with liability insurance, the amount being determined
by the aircraft's gross takeoff weight. Proof of coverage should be carried on
board the aircraft.
|
Up to 2,300 lb: |
$100,000 public liability only |
|
2,301 to 5,000 lb: |
$500,000 public liability only |
|
5,001 to 12,500 lb: |
$1,000,000 public liability and $300,000
passenger liability per passenger on board |
|
|
|
U.S.
Customs has a $25 annual user fee decal mail-in form that will be required. We
recommend that you obtain it in advance of your departure, or contact the
airport of entry you will be using for your return to see if they have a supply
of decals on hand.
You will need your pilot certificate, medical certificate, and restricted radiotelephone operators permit (not required
for U.S. domestic VHF radio operations but is required whenever crossing the
U.S. border or when using an HF radio). Canadian regulations also require the
permit within its airspace. All certificates must be original and current.
Normally, private flights do not pre-clear with U.S. Customs; however, if the
pilot and/or passengers are taking expensive items abroad, it is a good idea to
declare those items with U.S. Customs before you leave. U.S. Customs is serious
about declaring items purchased abroad, and by declaring expensive items before
you leave the United States, it is less likely that you will face a duty or a
tax issue on your own belongings when you return.
Monetary
amounts over $10,000 must be declared with customs before you leave and when
you return to the United States. Non-U.S. citizens may have pre-clearance
requirements, and the pilot should confirm those prior to departing the United
States.
You are required to provide advance notification to Canadian customs by
calling 1-888/CAN-PASS (226-7277). You must provide notification no less than
two (2) hours but no more than 48 hours prior to your arrival. A filed and
activated IFR or VFR flight plan is required for border crossing, and your
first landing in Canada must be at an airport of entry. You will be required to
provide the customs office with information about yourself, passengers, your
flight, and airport of entry. After arrival at your airport of entry,
immediately contact the Canadian CANPASS office again at the same number and
receive an arrival report number or be advised to await a customs inspection.
Thanks
to an agreement between the FAA and Transport Canada, flying an experimental
aircraft into Canada is now easier than ever. All that is needed is the document
Standardised Validation of a Special Airworthiness Certificate—Experimental,
for the Purpose of Operating a United States-Registered Amateur-Built Aircraft
in Canadian Airspace, which details the restrictions (minor in nature)
applicable in Canadian airspace. Download the form and carry it with the
aircraft at all times in Canada.
To access weather information and file flight plans while flying in Canada,
contact Canadian Flight Service by calling 866/WX-BRIEF (992-7433). This
telephone number can only be used within the borders of Canada. More specific
flight services and local weather advisories can be obtained by contacting the
individual Flight Information Centers within each
Canadian province you will be flying to.
For
remote areas, take tiedown equipment with you and have your ADF in good working
order to take advantage of the lower minimum enroute altitudes, which they
usually provide. Slot reservations are required for Toronto Pearson
International Airport for VFR and IFR aircraft. A Mode C transponder is
required when flying into any terminal control area and Class C airspace in
Canada. Mode C transponders are also required in some Class D and E airspace,
normally associated with some terminal areas and some control zones. The
terminal charts (VTAs) and the Canada Flight Supplement provide the details.
Certain
rifles and shotguns for sport, competition, or survival and ammunition are
permitted in Canada, but be sure you declare them when going through customs.
An advance permit is required from Canadian authorities for certain restricted
firearms.
Overflights
that originate and end in the United States require that the pilot must file a flight plan, and Canadian regulations must be observed when
flying in Canadian airspace. Write "Canadian over flight" in the
remarks section of the flight plan.
Note:
The Canadian government now charges U.S.-registered aircraft for ATC services
based on the aircraft certified gross weight. The current fee as of May 2005 is
$17.75 CAN per quarter for aircraft under 3 metric tons (6,614 lb gross). See
the Web
site for details for aircraft in higher weight classes. Also,
weight-based fees for use of the airport terminal may apply at some airports.
Returning to the United States
U.S. Customs requires advanced notice of arrival. These requirements may vary.
Be sure to check the requirements for the specific airport used. This
information can be found in the U.S. Customs Guide for Private
Flyers. The telephone numbers for U.S. Customs offices are listed in
the front pages of AOPA's Airport Directory Online. Most airports
of entry will require no less than one (1) hour but no more than 23 hours
advanced notification.
You
must be on a VFR or IFR flight plan with ADCUS (Advise Customs) listed in the
remarks section. We strongly suggest that you use a telephone and not rely on
the Advise Customs Message (ADCUS). AOPA recommends a telephone call to Customs
due to violations reported to us by pilots when Customs has not received the
ADCUS message in a timely fashion. Typically these violations will start at
$5,000 for the first offense. When calling customs, we suggest that you get a
badge number of the customs official who took your information, and if you have
a telephone credit card, use it so that you will have a statement that shows
the date and time you made the call.
Keep in
mind that it is important to be on time. It's always better to be a little late
than too early. Pilots should update their estimated time of arrival by
contacting U.S. air traffic control and requesting them to advise Customs of
the new arrival time in the United States.
Aliens
who are permanent residents of the United States must have their registration
cards with them in order to reenter the United States. The pilot must report on
the Form CF178, Private Aircraft Enforcement System Arrival
Report the nationalities of all persons on board to Customs and
Immigrations. Pilot and passengers must remain inside the aircraft until the
Customs officer motions you to come out.
AOPA members may purchase our International Operations Portfolio for Canada
that provides an overview of operating procedures and information for a
printing fee of $8. Canadian charts (VFR and IFR) and Canadian World Aeronautical
Charts are available from Sporty's Pilot Shop at
800/SPORTYS (776-7897) or from the Canadian Mapping Office at 800/465-MAPS
(6277).
Technical
specialists at AOPA's Pilot Information Center are available to answer your
questions during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Eastern
time Monday through Friday, telephone 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672).
AOPA/COPA Checklist for Cross-Border Flight
Operations
Preflight
Personal
Documentation
Aircraft
Documentation
Departure
Arrival