Cary wrote:Zzz, is there some way Pinecone's post can be stored on the site other than in the forum? It looks like a useful thing, and searching for it in the forum down the road wouldn't be as easy.

Cary

That's the idea of the knowledge base. We can make a border crossing entry if this is original info. I know the AOPA page on this is fairly comprehensive.

It is my own summary based on a bit of double checking references and my experience. I don't think it should go in the knowledge library because it needs to be maintained, that is, updated as rules change. The AOPA/COPA guide is properly maintained in a timely manner. Best to use it as the go to reference.

My tip for including a way point at the border in your planning isn't in the guide. It was a pain when I tried eAPIS the first time, and when I went back to determine a border crossing time and place, eAPIS timed out and I had to start over.

The other is knowing when departing the US that you can depart from anywhere, but you have to enter an airport of entry in the form, and your actual point of departure in the comments.

You also won't find an instruction about what to do if your eAPIS plan doesn't match your actual. Basically, don't depart the US before your stated. All they want is enough time to catch you at the airport you're departing if they think they need to. Also, if you land before you actually clear the border on the way out for any reason, just re-file.

For arrival, your appointment made by phone trumps your eAPIS. Don't worry if they don't match. The big thing is that they want to know who is in the air, and don't depart for the US without the email approval.

Another thing I've noted is that choosing an airport where usually only one agent is on duty can yield a lower key experience. With no coworkers looking on, it seems to be more relaxed. Nobody trying to make a name for themselves. I prefer Cutbank MT or Helena to Great Falls. Williston has always been relaxed. My theory for Cutbank is that they get to leave the land crossing at Del Bonita to meet you at the airport. They're happy for a trip to town to break up their day, and seem to offer a bit of hospitality in hopes of earning your repeat business. Of course, personnel change, so YMMV.

Pinecone wrote:..........I made some notes to present to a group of pilots in the US who were nervous about the process. Maybe some will find it useful. Please ensure that you consult the listed references, and that the links take you to the most current information. This is a couple years old, and I haven't updated it.
...........

Piece of cake!!

Seriously though, I remember now why I quit flying to Chilliwack for pie!
If you have business in Canada it's (probably) worth it, but unless I had a real good reason why would I want to go through all this bureaucratic bullshit?
Most folks are like me- if it's too much hassle (see Pinecone's procedural tips) they won't bother crossing. That's probably why all this bullshit-- "they" probably figure the less people crossing, the better.
Kinda like gun control measures though-- if someone wants smuggle dope or people across, they'll find a way to circumvent these safeguards. So the only people they're preventing from crossing are people like me.

OK!

So here's the skinny.

Presuming you have CANPASS or NEXUS.

Going to Canada, you're good to go as a boat, just cross the boarder on the water and taxi in, complete your clearing of customs as any boat would, this means you have access to far more ports and less BS, just let them know when you're going to be there, and follow the CANPASS or NEXUS private boat procedure.

This was confirmed from both CANPASS and the Cornwall 409s supervisor.

Comming back to the US, you're a airplane, period. I got a little busy at work so I just called my local US customs offices, but from the customs folks I would encounter in my region of the world, that's the word, your mileage may vary.

So from what I heard you can land shy of Canada and cross as a boat, but comming back to the states its standard issue airplane crossing ops.