Okay so here is what I did on this trip, some was new.

Before flying from Alaska into Canada:
1. Filed eAPIS although I have no idea why since Canada doesn’t use eAPIS for anything and no U.S. government agency cares that I left Alaska for Canada. How do I know that, because a discrete transponder code is not given for going out of the U.S. unless crossing an ADIZ. Without a discrete transponder code anyone monitoring the border crossing would have no idea who I was. More on eAPIS later.

2. Filed a VFR flight plan and that’s how I learned about not needing a discrete transponder code when leaving the U.S. for Canada. Canada does require a “flight plan” for VFR but that can be as simple as telling someone what, where and when you are flying.

3. Called CanPass two hours before my planned arrival to let them know when and where I would land. I chose Whitehorse as my airport of entry.

Landed in Whitehorse and taxied to the Custom’s shack. Called CanPass, told them who I was and they cleared me into the country.

Before flying from Canada into Montana:
1. Chose Kalispell as my airport of entry.
2. Filed eAPIS.
3. Called Kalispell Customs two+ hours before planned landing time to request permission to enter the U.S.
3. Filed a flight plan which is required for entering the U.S. from Canada. Was given a discrete transponder code.

Upon landing in Kalispell:
1. Taxied to the Customs building. Customs agent came out and checked the plane for radioactivity. He then asked to see my pilots license and medical. That was a first. I told him that and he said to expect it from now on as it was a new policy. He must of fat-fingered my N number into his system cause he didn't believe I owned the plane. Even the names of previous owners he gave me weren't correct. But he finally got it right and off I went. Oh and he reminded me to close my flight plan, that was nice.

Before flying from Bozeman to Canada:
1. I chose Springbank Alberta as my airport of entry cause I wanted to shop for a cowboy hat at Smithbuilt in Calgary. In hindsight it would have been easier just to fly into Calgary as I had to talk with everyone anyway. FBO at Springbank was excellent.

2. Filed an eAPIS, again I have no idea why.

3. Called CanPass to request landing in Springbank and let them know when to expect my arrival.

Took off from Bozeman and had a heck of a time finding my way out of the mountains with the weather. The passes I tried were in the clouds so I just kept flying up valleys looking for other valleys I could fly to. Still managed to make Springbank at the time I told CanPass. A quick phone call and I was cleared into Canada.

Before flying from Whitehorse into Alaska:
1. Filed eAPIS.
2. Called Northway Customs to request landing in two hours.
3. Filed VFR flight plan as required to fly into the U.S.
4. Fueled the plane and prepared to taxi out.
5. Whitehorse Ground called me to say that Northway Customs asked if I could give them a call. I shut down and called Northway Customs. The agent I had talked with told me his boss asked if I could delay my arrival a couple of hours. I said sure but asked what I was supposed to do about the eAPIS since there was no way to update or cancel it. He told me I didn't need to do anything. Said they understood that as pilots we couldn't update or cancel them. Said as long as I call Customs to let them know when I am coming I don't need to do a thing for up to 72 hours from the time I initially filed it. At that point he said just file a new eAPIS.
6. I called Flight Service and updated my Flight Plan.
7. Tied the plane back down and grabbed something to eat and drink.

Took off from Whitehorse headed to Northway, no discrete transponder code was given. Landed about 10 minutes early. Customs Agent came. First he checked the plane for radioactivity. Then he asked to see my passport and pilot's license. He asked if I had anything to declare, I told him about my new cowboy hat. He then suggested I go over to the FSS building for some coffee and snacks. It was there I met Jackie, a super nice lady from Florida stationed in Northway for the summer. She is hoping to get to do a stint in Barrow. We chatted for about an hour and then off I went on the remainder of the trip getting home.

CanPass and NavCanada Flight Service was once again outstanding. U.S. Customs as expected- businesslike but cordial. Jackie at Northway Flight Service was great, the only Flight Service person I talked with in person. Flight Service persons I spoke with by phone were excellent as well.

Barnstormer wrote:
a discrete transponder code is not given for going out of the U.S. unless crossing an ADIZ.

Just to clarify, there is no ADIZ on the Canadian / Lower 48 border but someone (US CBP?) requires a discreet transponder code to cross that border. I was told by Flight Service that they don't require it on the Canadian / Alaska border because there is no one there with a radar facility to see it.

I had a buddy tell me that Springbank made a good fuel stop but I didn't realize that it was also an Airport of Entry. Thanks for that bit of info!

Is Springbank manned by a Customs agent? or is there just a phone booth to call Canadian Customs?

kg wrote:Just to clarify, there is no ADIZ on the Canadian / Lower 48 border but someone (US CBP?) requires a discreet transponder code to cross that border. I was told by Flight Service that they don't require it on the Canadian / Alaska border because there is no one there with a radar facility to see it.

I had a buddy tell me that Springbank made a good fuel stop but I didn't realize that it was also an Airport of Entry. Thanks for that bit of info!

Is Springbank manned by a Customs agent? or is there just a phone booth to call Canadian Customs?

You are correct there is no ADIZ on the Canadian / Lower 48 border, but there is one on the Alaska/Canada border but it is so far to the east and nowhere near any route I can imagine anyone taking so for our purposes doesn't exist.

I always call Canadian Customs from my cell phone so couldn't say if there is a phone in the shack but I would imagine there is. I didn't see anyone at the shack so I suppose they would come over from Calgary Intl when needed.

I learned Springbank is very popular with the jet set in part because Phil Mickelson has a golf course there. Although Phil's G5 can't land there though so when he is in town he has to land at Calgary. I was thinking about getting a G5 but I guess now I'll reconsider.

One guy keeps his jet at Calgary but has it flown to Springbank to pick him up when he wants to use it. Some oil rich nation kid who lands at Springbank has a huge estate in the hills that he visits two weeks a year. Was told the garage has fourteen garage doors (two cars deep behind each) where he keeps his car collection. While I was tying down the 185 an orange Lambo kept going back and forth on the airport road outside the FBO.

I just landed there to go to town and buy a cowboy hat from Smithbilt. Felt kinda out of place when my rental car turned out to be a minivan. I was hoping for a Ferrari or a McLaren at least.

Anyway fuel is much cheaper at Springbank then Calgary as you can imagine.

Landing fees at Calgary are High, none at Springbank. Car rental Guys at Springbank are friendly

When I come back from the San Juans I get given a unique transponder code to cross the border by Seattle radio when I am in flight. I squawk 1200 until I get it.

Canadian flight plans open at the time you give them when you file it, US Flight plans need to be opened by you. You close the Canadian flight plan with the US flying into the US, and the US flight plan with Canada flying out of the US and arriving in Canada. Bellingham customs are great, Port Angeles also. Both are understanding about weather.

You can open a US flight plan without calling as well. When filing, tell them to assume off at proposed departure time.

MTV

mtv wrote:You can open a US flight plan without calling as well. When filing, tell them to assume off at proposed departure time.

MTV

That is good to know. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks.

Under the heading of what NOT to do, do not rely on any on-line flight plan filing tool for border crossings either way. Call and talk to a live person. It's ironic considering that the only way to file eApis is on-line, but I have not had good experiences with flight plans that I have filed on-line. I want to talk with a live person and make sure they're expecting me. I REALLY want a squawk code in advance. There's nothing like blazing along at 135 knots, not being able to raise FSS for 20 minutes and finally getting a squawk code 90 seconds before crossing the border. (I swear I could hear the toilet flush in the background when FSS finally responded to my call . . . .)

Nav Canada is terrific to work with. I also learned that Glacier Park "International" only has customs during banker's hours. Nothing on the weekend. So we went to Cut Bank, which was fine, but requires 2 hours advance notice and a special call-out for the CBP officer. And a special dance to get the card reader on the pump to work. Thank God some friendly local guys were there. Next time, I'm going to cross at someplace that has 24 hour customs at a road crossing next to the airport. I hear that Whetstone is good for that. Lessons learned.

CAVU

I'm crossing at Whetstone (Del Bonita) CEQ4 next Tuesday. I'll report on my experience. A lot simpler (having done it before) at these "border" airports, as one doesn't have to file a flight plan nor get a discrete transponder code--one lands in the U.S. and takes off in Canada. So, just eApis (which you can do up to 30 days in advance) and a 2-hour beforehand call to Customs.

Thanks, Ted. I like the no flight plan and no transponder code part. Less to go wrong.

CAVU