After studying weather graphs I am thinking we should change dates a little to get the best odds for good weather and minimize the mosquitos. What if we met at CFB6 which is BByers field near Edmonton on the 9th of June with a departure on the morning of the 10th. If weather did delay the return we wouldn’t run into the 4th of July time frame with the earlier start.
Here is a list of requirements to fly in Canada and Alaska. A special thanks to Nelson Amen and Jeff Knight for contributing to the list. There is webinar on CBP on Saturday if you are interested in more information:
"Saturday Morning Coffee And Wings - Coffee With Customs And Border Protection Agents"
Topic: Learn About Customs And Border Protection, And How To Avoid The Most Common Gotchas
On
Saturday, January 6, 2024 at
09:00 Central Standard Time (07:00 PST; 08:00 MST; 10:00 EST; 05:00 HST; 06:00 AKST; 08:00 Arizona; 15:00 GMT)
Alaska List
Required for the pilot
- 3rd class or better medical
- passport, 6 months, 2 blank pages (no passport cards)
- pilot's license must state English Proficient
- radio operator permit (just mail in a form/fee)
- Check your medical insurance for coverage
Required for the Aircraft
- airworthiness certificate
- registration certificate (no temporary and in your name)
- updated W&B (matches tail number)
- radio station license
- POH
- CBP decal
- check your insurance coverage (carry proof)
- Private Operation Declaration notarized letter if you are not aircraft owner
- nav/com
- Mode C
- ADS-B 1090ES, Right now ADS-B is not mandatory in Canada other than in Class A and Class B airspace. However, if you do have ADS-B capability, then on the ICAO Flt Plan in section 10b enter the applicable code B1 for ADS-B out, or B2 for ADSB In/Out needs to be input. Also in section 18 you need the following: SUR/CANMANDATE. See this link for more info:
- https://ops.group/blog/canada-ads-b-mandate-2/#:~:text=If you plan on entering,ADS-B In and Out
- The other Classes of airspace will become mandatory starting in 2026.
- 12 inch numbers
- nav database for IFR (no IFR planned for this trip)
- 406 ELT
- 12 inch numbers are not required in Canada if due to the age of the aircraft, the original aircraft numbers were the smaller version. For example, CF-MEX had the smaller registration numbers on the vertical stab. However, because C-Goen was imported from the USA, it had to have the newer 12 inch registration numbers put on the fuselage even though the original N-number was the small numbers on the vertical stab. I would suspect that if you have the small N-numbers on the vertical stab that due to the age of the aircraft, you don’t need to change them just because you are transiting through Canada.
Required for the Flight:
- Sectional maps for route of flight, Canada & Alaska
- Chart Supplements for Canada & Alaska (there are VFR procedures to fly to Anchorage that you need to know)
- APIS form filed on later than 1 hr prior to flight (the names of all passengers must match their identification, no exceptions, no substitutions) A real important one to remember is that eAPIS is only for the departure from and entry into the USA. Departure from the USA does not require a phone call, just the eAPIS. Entry into the USA does require the phone call as well as the eAPIS to US Customs.
- To land in Canada, you have to call Canada Customs (CBSA) prior to departing the USA to arrange for entry into Canada.
Telephone reporting for Private and Corporate Aircraft
The pilot must report the estimated time of arrival (ETA) by calling 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) at least two hours, but no more than 48 hours before flying into Canada. Should the 1-888 service not be available, pilots must call the Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) at 905-679-2073(Hamilton, Ontario). The caller may incur long distance charges.
The pilot must advise the TRC of the following:
- ETA
- Aircraft licence/registration number
- Destination in Canada
- Full name, date of birth, citizenship and passport numbers for all persons on board
- Purpose of trip and length of stay in Canada for non-residents
- A declaration must be provided for each person aboard, either by the pilot or the individual
- Updates to the original ETA if changes are greater than 30 minutes or if any other previously provided information has changed.
All travellers aboard must declare any personal goods they are importing, including firearms and weapons, and report
currency and monetary instruments of a value equal to or greater than CDN$10,000. If duties and/or taxes are payable, the TRC officer will also obtain a VISA or MasterCard number and expiration date from the individual concerned, along with the mailing address of the card holder.
Aircraft can land at an Airport of Entry (AOE) any time the site is open.
- If the aircraft has to land at a place not designated for customs reporting due to weather conditions or other circumstances, the pilot should call either 1-888-CANPASS or the nearest CBSA office or Royal Canadian Mounted Police office. Depending on the circumstances, the flight may be cleared over the phone, the pilot may be requested to await the arrival of a border services officer at that site, or the pilot may be requested to fly to the nearest AOE at the first opportunity.
- The last big one that I want to mention is firearms. Canada just passed a new prohibited firearms ban and handgun freeze legislation this past week. Unless it is a requirement in Alaska, do not bring firearms into Canada. Whatever you do, do not bring a firearm in the aircraft and not declare it! This would be very bad and could result in the aircraft being seized and the personnel on board being arrested. Now there are allowances for transit through Canada so long as the firearm is declared, and all the applicable paperwork is complete and filed. If it is not a requirement for Alaska, my advice is to leave any firearms at home.
- supplies: oil,fuel additives,lock,chocks,parts,tow bar,handheld, 406 PLB,looking into tracking for family members ("spot". etc.)
- flight plan with FSS .... flight following DOES NOT COUNT
- suitable survival equipment compliant with Canada & Alaska rules
Links for more information :
The AOPA has an excellent planning guide
https://www.aopa.org/travel/international-travel/alaska
This guy chronicles his trip and includes some very good information
https://backcountrypilot.org/knowle...-to-flying-to-alaska#h7-flying-through-canada
The Alaska DOT list some survival requirements:
https://dot.alaska.gov/stwdav/akfly.shtml
The FAA provides information on flights to Alaska:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...nits/systemops/fs/alaskan/alaska/fai/visitors
