It is likely that I will be flying an airplane from Alaska to the lower 48 in the next few weeks. The airplane does not have a transponder installed. Does anyone know if this can be done legally? I have crossed in and out of Canada many times, but never without a transponder. Anyone ever done it?

I have, twice, but it was a dozen years ago. After a couple calls I reached someone who gave me a waiver. TSA, IIRC. No drama. That was before eapis, but post 9/11.
-DP

I suspect that crossing into the US from Canada will be a bigger deal than crossing into Canada from Alaska.
Don't know your route or destination, but landing at Avey Field in Laurier WA might be an idea.
It straddles the border, technically I believe you can land there and clear / cross on the ground.

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/AllSt ... yField.htm

Yes you can cross the US>Canada>US border without a transponder, I do it in the SQ-2.

The process begins here:

https://waivers.faa.gov/aap/te_pages.p_login

Thanks for the information! How long did it take to get a waiver Barnstormer?

Scolopax wrote:Thanks for the information! How long did it take to get a waiver Barnstormer?

As I recall a couple of days.

Oh and I did one waiver that covered the entire trip (both borders) plus gave myself some extra time in case I got distracted along the way.

Barnstormer wrote:Oh and I did one waiver that covered the entire trip (both borders) plus gave myself some extra time in case I got distracted along the way.

Good thinking!

I suspect that crossing into the US from Canada will be a bigger deal than crossing into Canada from Alaska.
Don't know your route or destination, but landing at Avey Field in Laurier WA might be an idea.
It straddles the border, technically I believe you can land there and clear / cross on the ground.

A transponder code was issued to me crossing in MT to Alberta when I filed my international flight plan. However, No code is issued going from Whitehorse to Northway. There is no radar coverage in this region. I crossed direct at 10,500 feet and my transponder wasn't pinged once through most YT and not until I got near Anchorage.

I crossed the border a few days ago with a new Rotax engine in the back of my car, coming from B.C. back to the good old USA. I had the proper paperwork and the proper attitude. An hour and a half later my attitude had changed, but I kept my cool as they had my passport and were armed No explanation was given for the delay, it seemed to be incompetence, pure and simple. Maybe a transponder would have helped. When my paperwork was finally stamped and i was cleared to proceed, I did get a hearty "welcome back to the United States," from the agent, that made me feel better

Scolopax wrote:It is likely that I will be flying an airplane from Alaska to the lower 48 in the next few weeks. The airplane does not have a transponder installed. Does anyone know if this can be done legally? I have crossed in and out of Canada many times, but never without a transponder. Anyone ever done it?

Not sure about the Northern border crossing points but you don't need a transponder if you land ON one of the border crossing airports. One I use frequently is Porthill ID Elkhart International K1S1. You land, clear customs, then you're legally "in" the USA, takeoff on your way. No code required. There are others along the border further East such as Del Bonita and Sweetgrass MT. You should still file your cross border flight plan though.