Combining my Alaska trip experiences, along with helpful input gleaned from countless Internet searches, I have a new “Fly Your Plane To Alaska” website: http://fly2ak.com.

This site is a comprehensive, one-stop, source for all manner of information to help pilots efficiently achieve their lifelong goal of flying to Alaska. Hopefully this site helps pilots avoid the endless Internet searches across an impractical number of websites for that last illusive tip or question. But if you do find something missing please let me know and I will add it!

There are custom maps for each route, along with marked mid-route optional alternate paths. Tips on everything from preferred fuel/food stops, many weather sources, obscure web cam links not listed elsewhere, personal experience notes (from me and others), suggestions for clearing customs…in short I strove to assemble everything in one location.

Thank you for taking a few moments to view the site. I’ll continue to frequently update it with more pictures, links, info.

A special heartfelt thank you for those who posted so many lessons-learned and individual tips in related forum topics throughout the years (Cory, Zane, Isaac, gbflier, Denny, AK Logan, Troy, akaviator, Headoutdaplane, AKclimber, GregA, TangoFox, Dclings, 7GC, Karmutzen, MTV, cdgarg, Oregon180, … & many, many others—please forgive me if I left off your name).

Ted Waltman
[email protected]

Looks great, Ted!

That's a super resource...thanks for all the hard work!

Very cool and very timely for me. Thanks

So not relating to your website in particular, but I've been having a hard time with CANPASS. I submitted my Canpass Private Aircraft application and gave them credit card info. Well, apparently their credit card system is down, so they need a check and it has to be in Canadian funds. Both my banks (Wells Fargo and Chase) are no longer issuing personal or cashiers checks or money orders in foreign funds. I cannot figure out to pay the Canadian government. Has anyone went through this? If so, what was your solution?

Thanks,
Asa

Thanks for your hard work. Looks like my planning for my June trip will be much easier. Only hold up is the covid19 thing.

I'm also in limbo with CanPass. Yes, their credit card system has been down since early November (what they told me)! Said I could send them checks in U.S. funds. Then they call two weeks later and say can't deposit them. I told them to just hold my apps until they can finally accept U.S. funds.

Don't need CANPASS--just opens up a few more airport-of-entry options than one would otherwise have. And maybe if all occupants have CANPASS might speed up process, if any, at customs.

I'll post if I ever hear back from them regarding processing credit cards again.

Thank you everyone for your comments!

tedwaltman wrote:I'm also in limbo with CanPass. Yes, their credit card system has been down since early November (what they told me)! Said I could send them checks in U.S. funds. Then they call two weeks later and say can't deposit them. I told them to just hold my apps until they can finally accept U.S. funds.

Don't need CANPASS--just opens up a few more airport-of-entry options than one would otherwise have. And maybe if all occupants have CANPASS might speed up process, if any, at customs.

I'll post if I ever hear back from them regarding processing credit cards again.

Thank you everyone for your comments!

Thanks for taking the time to respond Ted. Let me know if you hear anything. When are you heading north? I’ll be leaving Denver area sometime around April 24th I think

My plans to head North are flexible. Just sightseeing and playing up in SE Alaska. Will see how spring and early summer weather act (normal or like last year). As you know, Wx is a roll of the dice. Though, yes, in general, August does historically see more rain. Might hook up with some other folks...still thinking...

Have a great trip North!

Wow. What a cool resource. Thanks Ted, you rock. My trip north was made a lot smoother by the info I absorbed from our many conversations and a lot of searching on this forum as well as a few others. Nice to have things in one location.

If either of you, or anyone else comes up this summer. Look me up. Bettles will be home for May through October.

Thank you Rob! I do appreciate everyone's comments and input.

Nicely done. Next time I do this trip I will refresh my memory by going through your site.

Hey Ted, et al.,

When I head North soon, I was planning to overnight at Cut Bank and then hop to Whetstone first thing the following morning. However, with the 2 hours required notice, plus the fact that in May they don't open until 9am, does that mean I would need to call at 9am and not cross until 11am? Could I call customs prior and plan to cross at 9 when they open? Just curious what people's personal experiences have been, I'll give them a call tomorrow to ask first hand. Would be nice to get going earlier than that if possible.

Thanks,
Asa

asa wrote:Hey Ted, et al.,

When I head North soon, I was planning to overnight at Cut Bank and then hop to Whetstone first thing the following morning. However, with the 2 hours required notice, plus the fact that in May they don't open until 9am, does that mean I would need to call at 9am and not cross until 11am? Could I call customs prior and plan to cross at 9 when they open? Just curious what people's personal experiences have been, I'll give them a call tomorrow to ask first hand. Would be nice to get going earlier than that if possible.

Thanks,
Asa

My experience ---

I ran into the same issue last year going from Dawson City to Fairbanks. In hindsight, I should have called the day before and given my 2 hours notice. It is my understanding that it is at least 2 hours. The way it worked out, I was ready to go, had to wait until 9 for Fairbanks Customs to open and answer their phone, had to wait another 15 minutes for them to decide that I could clear there instead of Northway, then launched just in time to be in the MOA when the Red Flag - Alaska war games started. I should have called the night before.... and landed at 9 when they opened.

If they will take the call the evening prior, that's what I would do.

That was me dealing with US Customs and their 2 hours notice. Canadian Customs are often friendlier, in my experience. I would call in advance and ask if calling the day prior is appropriate.

Kg is absolutely correct--try calling the day before.

I might suggest two minor additions. Though it is the most polite way, I would simply call the day before indicating you are checking in for 9 am tomorrow. If you ask if that's Ok, it gives them the chance to say "No." If it's not Ok they will certainly tell you--just don't ask.

Second, please make sure you write down the officer's name that you talk to. I've run into the situation (on same day calls) where the custom's person that comes out to the plane says they have no record of me calling. Then when I respond with "I talked to officer abc at x o'clock" they say, "Ok."

One other update. Last summer I ran into a new, but good, situation. Usually when you call they run thru all the questions (e.g. passport #, do you have this/that, etc). For the first time all they asked for was my eAPIS confirmation #. They said they could get all the info they needed from my eAPIS submittal. That was nice not to have to go thru all the same info again.

Things to be aware of...
I could be wrong but arrival needs to be within 20 minutes of stated ETA or something like that. I was flying north along the coast and because of a stronger than expected headwind was going to be late meeting CBP in Ketchikan. When I realized how strong the winds were I got ahold of Pacific radio and asked them to relay a message to customs in Ketchikan that I would be about 45 mins late, They said they would try but couldn't guarantee that it would happen. I finally mad Ketchikan, landed and waited for the guy to come out. He came out after about 10 mins and promptly began chastising me for being late. I explained about the headwind and that I contacted Canadian FSS to call for me. Apparently he never got the message. He then started talking about fines etc still running me through the ringer. After a while I got annoyed and told the guy Maybe he should "Just arrest me and get it over with" because there was no way I could go back in time and somehow look into my crystal ball and know that the winds aloft forecast would be wrong and adjust my flight plan to compensate. Finally he calmed down and let me go.

Thats why I always try to skip Canada along the coast. US Customs can be a pain!

tedwaltman wrote:
I might suggest two minor additions. Though it is the most polite way, I would simply call the day before indicating you are checking in for 9 am tomorrow. If you ask if that's Ok, it gives them the chance to say "No." If it's not Ok they will certainly tell you--just don't ask.

Second, please make sure you write down the officer's name that you talk to. I've run into the situation (on same day calls) where the custom's person that comes out to the plane says they have no record of me calling. Then when I respond with "I talked to officer abc at x o'clock" they say, "Ok."
.

Those are great suggestions!

In my crossing to Fairbanks last year I had kept the officers name from Northway who told me to go to Fairbanks. The Fairbanks guy actually called him to confirm that is what I had been told. Neither of them wanted to deal with me and they both initially told me to go to the other place.

And TangoFox is correct... they take that time estimate seriously... or at least as an excuse to give you a hard time. Like TangoFox, I make every effort to get in touch with them if my estimate is off. Sometimes it is out of your control but don't assume they will apply common sense and logic to your late arrival. I have sometimes made my estimate 15 minutes after I really think I will arrive, knowing that I can just sit in the airplane and wait for them. Better than being late.....

Some of those US Customs guys look for anything to make sure you know who is boss. I don't give them any reason to correct me. I arrive on time. I park on the correct spot. I don't step out until they tell me I can. I have my passport out and available. I have my eApis confirmation available. I don't joke with them. I speak politely and to the point. "Two US citizens returning from Canada." Right or wrong, they can make your life miserable if you give them any reason to.

Thanks for the tips on timing. I gave Canadian Customs a call today and they were very helpful. They said the call-ahead can be any time, day or night, as long as it's in the 48hour window. So I can call them the night before, 6am , whatever and let them know my ETA, and show up to the Customs building right at 9am when they open. They said this is very common, no big deal.

Also, the better news for me, since I work in Alaska and will be travelling to work, travel through Canada is considered "essential" so the restrictions don't apply. Maybe that'll help you too Ted.

asa wrote:They said the call-ahead can be any time, day or night, as long as it's in the 48hour window. So I can call them the night before, 6am , whatever and let them know my ETA, and show up to the Customs building right at 9am when they open. They said this is very common, no big deal.

I can confirm that this has always been the case in my experience, done it lots of times. call within 48 hours of when i hope to be there, then confirm right before take off. I have had to call a few times when i could not find a way through the weather, never been an issue, they just say to call back when i try it again, keeps you in the 48 hour window. Having CANPASS helps, its relatively cheap and since you are more of a known entity to them, it does open up more flexibility.

Dealing with US customs, now that's a whole other issue I have had the same issue as Tango fox in Ketchikan, they are always pissy because they have to ride the ferry over to the airport. Most of the CBP officers i have run into are Barney Fife wannabes, with few exceptions. My last trip through Cut Bank was good though, Gave myself an extra 30 minute cushion coming out of Whitecourt and got beat down by headwinds from red deer the rest of the way down and ended up 20 minutes late. No big deal, he quickly and quietly processed me, i got fuel and headed on, go figure.

Chris

When determining where to clear, it can be beneficial to call the US Customs office at your preferred airport, if you're getting tight on time. When planning where to clear, I thought we would not make the listed 5 pm closing time at Kalispell MT, so was searching other locations to clear. I finally just called Kalispell and the guy said he would be there until at least 7 pm. You have to call anyway, so don't assume the published hours are accurate. The officer was efficient, professional, and pleasant. We did have to dig out a package of dog treats bought in Canada so he could verify there were no prohibited ingredients

Many thanks for everyone's input on Customs. I suppose, sadly enough, we could start a separate thread on how rude U.S. Customs staff generally are. Sigh... I've done customs three times in Ketchikan. First time was pleasant. Last two were unfriendly at best.

The time "window" is 15 minutes +/-. I've always assumed that meant landing time. Hence I try to plan extra time into my schedule and just do slow flight, or sight-see, if I'm early. Kg is correct--just sit in the plane until instructed otherwise.

I have personally never heard of nor read of anyone actually getting fined for being early/late, but the potential does exist.

Why are customs staff seemingly always pleasant on the Canadian side? Why is Canada able to (apparently) successfully (at least as well as the U.S. if not better) thwart border problems when better than half the time they don't even meet you at the plane? Yet the U.S. has to go over every square inch every time? Sigh...no answers.