Has any small or large 135 operator been contacted by Customs about the new reg. about providing US Customs with electronic PNR (Passenger Name Record) info for international charter flights. See 19 CFR 122.49 a & b in Federal Register dated 6/25/02. On-demand operators, of course, aren't going to have an electronic reservation system like the scheduled airlines. Has anyone considered setting up their own website to allow an "interface" with US Customs. And what exactly is this "interface"? The only reasonable way I can figure out how our small operation could do it is through a web site and provide a secure logon page for US Customs to use and display our PNR info there when we get an international flight scheduled. Am I reading this regulation correctly?
Another note. With more emphasis on proper paperwork for international charter flights under 135, are you required to get a clearance number (in effect submitting an outbound General Declaration) outbound? I know inbound to the US (our flights will mostly be to and from Bahamas) you have send an electronic passenger manifest (which is not a flexible system for last minute changes, especially if you learn after landing in Exuma that you have an additional passenger), submit General Declaration forms, crew immigration form., and each passenger/family with their decs. We have to collect from the customer an APHIS fee (for agriculture inspection) and remit that quarterly with a report. Now I am just learning about the Customs surety/performance bond that is also required (min $75,000 bond/$750 premium even for pax only flights)(but until recently hasn't been enforced). Am I on track here?
Also are Part 135 on demand flights eligible for overflight permits according to 19 CFR 122.25? I have gotten different answers to that. I get confused with the definitions for private and commercial aircraft with Part 122 and the FARs. I was told verbaly by Customs that overflight permits were only granted for private Part 91 flights and that all 135 flights arriving from south of 30* north lattitude must clear at one of the designated airports in FL (just focussing on Bahama/Caribbean flights for now). Thanks.
Another note. With more emphasis on proper paperwork for international charter flights under 135, are you required to get a clearance number (in effect submitting an outbound General Declaration) outbound? I know inbound to the US (our flights will mostly be to and from Bahamas) you have send an electronic passenger manifest (which is not a flexible system for last minute changes, especially if you learn after landing in Exuma that you have an additional passenger), submit General Declaration forms, crew immigration form., and each passenger/family with their decs. We have to collect from the customer an APHIS fee (for agriculture inspection) and remit that quarterly with a report. Now I am just learning about the Customs surety/performance bond that is also required (min $75,000 bond/$750 premium even for pax only flights)(but until recently hasn't been enforced). Am I on track here?
Also are Part 135 on demand flights eligible for overflight permits according to 19 CFR 122.25? I have gotten different answers to that. I get confused with the definitions for private and commercial aircraft with Part 122 and the FARs. I was told verbaly by Customs that overflight permits were only granted for private Part 91 flights and that all 135 flights arriving from south of 30* north lattitude must clear at one of the designated airports in FL (just focussing on Bahama/Caribbean flights for now). Thanks.