M6RV6 wrote:...I think that it would start like it is in Canada and has been for years, Your almost required to have a flight plan to get off the ground!!
...

M6RV6, the only time I ever filed a flight plan was when I did my cross countries during my flight training. It is definitely not required to get off the ground. A flight itinerary is required at the least, but telling my wife I'm going flying counts, and that is not very specific at all...
David

A1Skinner wrote:

M6RV6 wrote:...I think that it would start like it is in Canada and has been for years, Your almost required to have a flight plan to get off the ground!!
...

M6RV6, the only time I ever filed a flight plan was when I did my cross countries during my flight training. It is definitely not required to get off the ground. A flight itinerary is required at the least, but telling my wife I'm going flying counts, and that is not very specific at all...
David

David, My mistake, here I have been flying back and forth from AK and America and have always understood that a flight plan was required!!!!
Please enlighten me on this as I would like to know more!! I always ASSumed that it was required, as I think most everyone of us who transit your Beautiful country does.
GT

A flight plan OR itinerary is required. And itinerary is defined as telling some that is older then 18 the general area that your going flying. I, as like most of us here, never really have a defined location most of the time, so basically just tell my wife that I'm going flying. Requirement met.

A1Skinner wrote:A flight plan OR itinerary is required. And itinerary is defined as telling some that is older then 18 the general area that your going flying. I, as like most of us here, never really have a defined location most of the time, so basically just tell my wife that I'm going flying. Requirement met.

Thanks for the information, So this fall when I leave Whitehorse and am headed south all I need to do when I leave is to tell the tower when they want to open my flight plan is to tell them I have an itinerary?
Will they go for that with out an argument?
Thanks again

You do need an actual official flight plan to cross the border going in both directions, but the requirement in the country is only that a plan of some sort exists (or an itinerary with your wife...), not that it has to be filed with them.

I think the reason they offer to open your flight plan for you is that they have it in front of them. Their system seems a lot more integrated, whereas in the US the tower wouldn't have the foggiest notion that you even have a flight plan.

The airport in Prince George has a sign in the FBO where we stopped on our last trip up. The sign basically said what the law was, then asked pilots to please just get a briefing and file with NavCanada to ensure they met the intent, but it was clear that there are other ways to be in compliance.

The flight note and itinerary are smart, and a whole lot more appropriate for backcountry travel.

I'll use flight plans if I'm moving up or down the AlCan itself just to move along the highway. It's fairly painless and my planned times are usually within a few minutes of what I put down. But if I'm headed off to my BC place, I'll file a flight note, plus X extra days "SAR" time to allow for wx, breakdowns, or better than anticipated fishing. That way I know someone will eventually come looking for me if I need it, and I'm not dependent on needing to communicate somehow while out in the boonies.

Gump

M6RV6 wrote:
Thanks for the information, So this fall when I leave Whitehorse and am headed south all I need to do when I leave is to tell the tower when they want to open my flight plan is to tell them I have an itinerary?
Will they go for that with out an argument?
Thanks again

If your not crossing an international border, then yes they should accept that answer. Always have accepted it from me, though I try to limit stops at towered airports!

A1Skinner wrote:

M6RV6 wrote:
Thanks for the information, So this fall when I leave Whitehorse and am headed south all I need to do when I leave is to tell the tower when they want to open my flight plan is to tell them I have an itinerary?
Will they go for that with out an argument?
Thanks again

If your not crossing an international border, then yes they should accept that answer. Always have accepted it from me, though I try to limit stops at towered airports!

THanks Guys, Yep I knew you needed eapis and flight plan to cross the border, Just ignorance all this time!!
With a spot, sat phone, plb, if I need rescued I can probably get in touch with someone, and if I can't work any of those, I probably don't need anyone to hurry and pick up the pieces!!

We've created a massive hammer that now roams the country looking for nails to pound, as they need to DO something with all that money and training.

Not sure that part is true.

Cary

With a spot, sat phone, plb, if I need rescued I can probably get in touch with someone, and if I can't work any of those, I probably don't need anyone to hurry and pick up the pieces!!

That's been my theory so far. Though sitting there for a week with a crashed airplane and a busted leg might get kinda old in a hurry. But, looking back at the explorers on land, sea, and air over the centuries, I figure if they could take the risk, so can I.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:

With a spot, sat phone, plb, if I need rescued I can probably get in touch with someone, and if I can't work any of those, I probably don't need anyone to hurry and pick up the pieces!!

That's been my theory so far. Though sitting there for a week with a crashed airplane and a busted leg might get kinda old in a hurry. But, looking back at the explorers on land, sea, and air over the centuries, I figure if they could take the risk, so can I.

Gump

Me as well. inReach, Sat Phone, PLB and the peace and quiet of peace and quiet.

What beter way to implement user fees than require a mandatory flight plan? No flight plan gets you a CBP/DHS visit. Hence the current practice runs.
The largest single employer here in Rio Grande County is the County itself. The largest office? Social Services of course. More people work in that office than any other single employer in the County. Somebody has to pay for the freeloaders.........