Colin W Kingsbury ) wrote:

I've looked at AOPA and googled around but nothing provides a nice, concise,
"Here's how it's done" guide. What documents do I need? Are 3" N-Numbers OK?
How do I file the flight plan (I'm assuming it's simpler to just go IFR)? Do
I need a radio license? Am I better off flying straight to my destination or
should I land and clear customs near the border?

If you are an AOPA member and have a login to their member site, here is
your nice, concise, "Here's how it's done guide" :

http://www.aopa.org/members/files/gu...nadabrief.html

I flew to Toronto from the States last October. Basically, the steps I
took we

Flight planned the trip.

Called CANPASS within the 48 hours before takeoff and answered all of
their questions, including providing a really good estimate time of
arrival.

Called CANPASS twice more as the trip got closer to update my arrival
time.

Filed an IFR flight plan as I normally do through the normal US
channels. I recommend filing an IFR flight plan in your case, too.

Documents I took with me: AROW (as per normal), birth certificate, NY
driver's license, and a signed letter from the FBO stating that they are
an official lessee (my aircraft was down for engine work at the time) of
the rental aircraft I was using.

I received several different answers about the radio license (depending
who I asked) and in the end I did not get one for the trip.

I don't know the answer about where to land, but I suspect that you
should be able to fly straight to your destination as long as the
airport has customs available (by phone or in person). THe same is
true for the return flight. I was instructed that if my local customs
could not meet me or I expected to arrive well past my estimated time, I
was required to land at the first airport of entry along my route.

AOPA's telephone support has a International/Canada flight menu choice
where someone pretty knowledgeable will be able to answer this question.

In my case, the trip couldn't have been easier. When I landed at City
Centre, Toronto, I remained in my aircraft and called CANPASS as they
instructed me to do. The agent cleared me right over the phone, gave me
an important clearance number to keep with me (in the event I was
stopped at the airport), and I was on my way. Never had to show any
documents.

To return, I first called the 800 NAV Canada number for a flight
briefing and to file an IFR flight plan. I then called (during business
hours) the US customs at my local airport to notify them of my expected
time of arrival. US Customs was also painless, although I was met in
person by an agent when I arrived. Again, I didn't have to any
documents except my license.

Thanks to a few people from this group, I was able to get excellent
airport recommendations and a few approach plates for my arrival
airport.

Have a great trip.


--
Peter