VFR to CANADA

[Northern Lights]

I'm planning to do a VFR to Canada this weekend, and return to the U.S. the same day.
I'm curious about the procedures for filing/opening/closing flight plans on the way in and out. Also the process for dealing with customs on both ends.
Any input on the issue would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TXCAP4228]

AOPA

If you're an AOPA member, you can go to the AOPA website and get some great information there.

 

[uavchaser]

it's a very easy process. call canada customs in advance (at least an hour up to 72 hours). after you land get progressives to the customs ramp. the inspection is a joke, just have your paperwork, they will give you a small piece of paper. You don't need to call or contact them before departure. call customs at least an hour before dep. then go for it, that's it. There are user fees for airspace and they will send it to the address where the airplane is registered, come to think of it i have a second notice bill on my nightstand, oops. refer to you aopa airport directory they have a good section on this with proper phone#'s. hope this helps.

 

[A Squared]

I've been through Canada in g/a aircraft numerous times. My experiences with Customs has been this:

Canadian Customs: Polite, efficient, professional.

US customs: Surly, unpleasant, unprofessional obstructive, inconvenient and inefficient.

Take a look at hte following link:

http://www.czbb.com/customs.shtml

Dial 1-888-CAN-PASS before you depart the US and they'll ask you a few questions about you, your airplane and what your plans are. When you get to your first stop in Canada, you call the number again. They may elect to dispatch a customs inspector to your plane, or more likely you will clear customs by telephone. They will give you an entry number which you write down and display on your glareshield while you're in Canada. On about 75% of my trips through Canada, I cleared with just the phone call.


US customs has a lot to learn from Canada.


regards

 

[Drifter]

Just like A Squared said, just dial 1-888-CAN-PASS and make sure you say that you need to clear customs on your flight plan somewhere. Oh and make sure that the airport that you are flying to actually has a customs agent. Some of the customs guys only work from 9-5 so if you are flying "off the beaten track" you need to give them like a days notice so the customs guy can get there (and don't be late!!!).
Drifter

 

[Timebuilder]

US customs has a lot to learn from Canada.

From a security standpoint, that's probably a good thing. I recall a story where several hijackers entered Canada before passing into the US. Both countries share the blame on that one.

(Stepping down from soapbox)

A few weeks ago, one of our pilots dropped a group off at Sherbrooke (pronounced SHARbrook) , and the agent said that the return flight on Sunday afternoon would be no problem. The agent was wrong. We called on Sunday and found out that there was no agent who EVER went to Sherbrooke on a Sunday. We had to re-file and call Canpass for an initial stop in Montreal, then go on to Sherbrooke. Extra trouble, time, fuel, money.

Final note: either on the phone or in person, ALWAYS get the BADGE NUMBER of the officialsyou interact with so that you always have an identity to attach to the person in the event of a "later discussion".