Flying from Canada into Washington State

"randall g" wrote in message
...
I am based in Boundary Bay BC and am thinking of flying south into the
US for the first time. For a flight to BFI what is the best plan? Who do
you talk to and where? What is a good route?

Direct would be fine. You'll be calling Whidbey Approach going through
their Class C. If you tell them you're heading to BFI, they may hand you
off for VFR flight following to Seattle Approach once you're clear to the
south of their airspace. If you specifically ask for that, you have a very
good chance of getting it.

Going through the Class C, you'll likely be assigned a minimum altitude, to
keep you clear of the traffic at Whidbey. You can expect to have to stay at
2500-3000' minimum. On the bright side, even at that altitude, you're
afforded a pretty nice view of the Naval Airbase.

You can avoid ATC until Boeing Tower by ducking under or around the Class C
if you like. Good reporting points coming from the north are the Shilshole
Marina or West Point. From there, Boeing Tower will expect you to arrive
over Elliott Bay, flying just west of downtown Seattle. Take careful note
of the overlying Class B airspace...you probably won't have clearance into
the Class B as you approach Boeing Field, and the floor of the Class B is as
low as 1100' at points close to BFI. This is mostly an issue if you get a
downwind approach to land north...landing straight-in to the south, your
approach path will likely keep you under the Class B naturally.

Also I'm interested in Port Townsend. I note it is surrounded by MOA's.
Are these always active? Is there any way to cross them or must you go
around?

The MOAs near Port Townsend aren't much of a problem. Note that MOAs aren't
prohibited or restricted...they are "just" caution areas. You are still
permitted to fly through them.

You should have the Seattle Sectional anyway (hopefully that's available for
sale in Canada...I assume it is, since we have the Canada charts here in the
US), which lists hours of operation and of course the exact vertical
dimensions. Even during the hours of operation, the airspace is often
unused...you can contact Whidbey Approach to get specific details.

That said, the MOAs aren't really much of an issue. Keep alert, don't fly
too low, you should be fine. It's not too hard to get to Port Townsend
without going through the MOAs, but even if you choose to fly through them,
they aren't that busy and if you keep your eyes open, you should be able to
see any traffic that is using them.

If you do land at Port Townsend, please keep in mind the one-way,
counter-clockwise taxi pattern around the grass parking area. It's ignored
by too many pilots, so keep your eye out for them, but please don't make
things worse.

Pete