Garth, you can skip the squak code by getting a transponder waiver. Simple to do, eliminates any and all radio work to cross the border except your 10 minute call to US customs at Crane. My friend up in Attikoken gets one so when he comes south to visit he doesn't need to mess with the code. Most of us here in northern MN that cross to from Canada on a regular basis have them. Just simplifies life and lets you enjoy the ride.

Rhyppa wrote:Garth, you can skip the squak code by getting a transponder waiver. Simple to do, eliminates any and all radio work to cross the border except your 10 minute call to US customs at Crane. My friend up in Attikoken gets one so when he comes south to visit he doesn't need to mess with the code. Most of us here in northern MN that cross to from Canada on a regular basis have them. Just simplifies life and lets you enjoy the ride.

How do you go about getting that?

filing some paperwork online with TSA. They then approve within a week and issue you a discreet number that permits you to cross to/from Canada without a transponder code. You list this discreet number in the remarks section of your flight plan. If you have a transponder you just leave it on 1200 while crossing. The waiver is good for 90 days, then you renew it - which only takes a minute or two, and it is good for 90 more. Send me an email, I have the procedure all typed up somewhere, I will scan and email it to you. the first time you do the online application will take you some time. The step by step instructions I have will save you some key strokes and head scrathing. After your first submission it is memorized in TSA's system and it is simple to resubmit it. Since I assume you aren't coming till float season, I recommend that you wait till mid May to submit for the waiver. It would then be good till mid-August-which is after Osh. You should make a trial run south before the big Osh trip just to put your mind at ease. You could fly down to MN for a day, have lunch at Crane, and fly home. I'll buy. Then when the big trip to OSH comes you wont be worrying about what happens at the border.