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Leisure Travel ENJOYING LIFE WITH YOUR PLANE
To Canada And Back
Even in post 9/11 world, flying from the United States into Canada is only slightly more complicated than flying anywhere in the United States. New restrictions scheduled to go into effect in July require U.S. citizens to show a passport when returning from Canada, but other than that and a few procedural steps you should be aware of, traveling between Canada and the U.S. is typically a non-event.
Before you go, you’ll need to make sure that you and everyone in the airplane has a valid passport. If you rent the airplane you will be flying, in addition to the standard AROW documents, it helps to have a letter from the airplane’s owner authorizing you to take the airplane into Canada. And if you’re a single parent taking a child into Canada, you’ll need a notarized letter from the child’s other parent authorizing the trip as well.
On the day of the trip, contact Canadian Customs (888.226.7277) at least two hours
before your scheduled arrival in Canada. They’ll want to know who you are, who owns the airplane, who you are bringing, why you are coming, and where and when you’ll be landing.
Once you’ve notified them that you are on your way, you’ll need to file a VFR or IFR flight plan and activate it prior to crossing the border. You’ll also need to be talking to air traffic control when you cross the border. Procedures once you arrive in Canada vary widely. Although you are not supposed to leave your aircraft until approved by Canadian Customs, many airports of entry have no on-site inspectors — you simply call Customs when you land, answer a few simple questions and be on your way. The Customs agent you speak with will give you a report number, and you should write this down in case any questions arise later.
Coming back is quite another matter. You’ll need to land at an airport of entry on the U.S. side of the border, and but these aren’t always marked on the sectionals. The U.S. Customs Web site lists airports of entry, but you may find other airports not on the list who have Customs inspectors on site. If an airport of entry isn’t convenient to your flight plan, it pays to call airports where you’d like to land and ask if they have a Customs agent on the field.
Before leaving Canada to return home, you’ll need to fill out a Form 178 (check the AOPA or U.S. Customs Web site), which includes not only information about you and the aircraft, but also about any passengers you will be bringing with you. Your best bet is to call the U.S. Customs office at the airport where you will land and get the agent’s name or badge number. This is your authorization to return to the US.
Again, you need to notify U.S. Customs at least two hours before your arrival, and for speediest service, you should fax your Form 178 to the Customs officer at the airport where you plan to land. Remember that these agents are the people empowered to grant you and your passengers access into the United States and all the restrooms therein, so be nice and courteous, and if you can, radio them from 10 to 15 minutes out so they know you are coming.
Once on the ground, head directly to the area marked for Customs. You’ll need to stay inside the airplane until the inspector tells you that you can get out. As in Canada, the procedure should be no more complicated than answering a few simple questions before being allowed to go on your way.
—Sean Fulton
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