I am a newbie, I am still working on my private pilots license, so this may sound like a stupid question to many of you but I dont know where else to get the answers I am looking for. My instructor is unsure.

It is my goal to one day fly to Alaska to either work at a seasonal position or full time. My question is: What is required to go to Alaska from the lower 48. I hope to have my own plane but it will be a bush plane (interested in the Maule right now) not capable of going too far at a time.

So what is the typical course and regulations required to go? I have never been out of the USA so I have no idea about traveling through a country to get to another place. Are there rules about what you can and cannot take with you, including firearms, animals (a dog), and so on. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you

Jeremy Myers
Ava, Missouri

Not to be the wet blanket, but first you need to learn to fly well. Your question isn't stupid, but it is premature. You don't need lots of hours; you do need to be able to do everything well. VFR pilots make the trip, but it's better to have your IR, because weather is a real vagary thing. You don't need a bush plane--you do need a good solid airplane that you can fly well.

The current rules and regulations are likely to change by the time you're ready to go, so the details are really unimportant for now. Currently weapons are "out", except rifles or shotguns for "protection from wildlife" if you're camping. Dogs are OK, with a current medical certification from your vet on a specific form. But who knows what the rules will be in a year or more?

While you're learning, get really good at navigation: pilotage, ded reckoning, VORs, ADF (if available--lots of NDBs still in Canada). There's a lot of country out there. Most favor an inland route--not a lot of places to land if you take a coastal route, if something goes wrong.

There are a lot of experienced pilots here who have done the flight. I haven't made the flight yet, but I've done some preliminary "looking", and the above is the result of that.

Cary

Jeremy,

The best recommendation I can make is to take someone with you that has some experience under their belt. The first time I made the trip (Nashville to anchorage) I only had 100 hours, but I had a seasoned old bush pilot in the backseat to give advice. I learned more in that trip than I ever thought possible. Don't get too caught up in the details. Plan your route, watch the weather, and know when to stay put or when to turn around.

AOPA has a good AlCan tutorial on their website. Plus a lot of good threads on here. It's really pretty simple.

Gump

Lessee:

Spare time, decent range, a sense of adventure. Crosswind and wheel landing proficiency for the prairie provinces. A transponder (or TSA waiver). The NavCanada Alcan strip map is convenient to have. So is a satphone for opening and closing mandatory flight plans if you intend to camp under the wing at some of the unpaved strips. And a promise to yourself not to scud run.

Have fun,

-DP

All your Q's answered here so far but as far as rules and regs go, it will likely be slightly different by the time you get going ...its easy to get into Canada (custom wise) as you dont need to fill out "web permission", only be on a flight plan, valid passport, all documents in order if you are bringing firearms &/or pets and its preferable to give Canada Custom a heads up but not mandatory. Not so "easy" to get back in AK (EAPIS)...

Ask again when you're ready to go, good luck with your license! Cheers, BCT

As already said, it is pretty simple. Not mentioned yet is the Customs decal for your plane (about $27.50 currently) required to get back into the US. Apparently you can buy one on-site at some airports, but it's worthwhile getting it ahead of time (they're good for a calendar year, so don't buy one in December unless you have to!). Also depending on the route you take, there's a little map by the BC Aviation Council (you can buy one online for about $10) that shows a lot of abandoned and marginal strips on it that are worth putting into your GPS and/or on your paper sectional map. Many of these are only emergency use, but are a better option than just into the trees/glaciers.

Cheers,
Greg

Another tip might be join the Alaska Airmens Associtation, do not know if there is a current book, but they had a great book on the trip!
If you do join, you get some pretty good discounts on fuel and a lot of other stuff when you are flying in AK.
Have made the trip many times, great flight. Enjoy.
First time I made the trip was in a 108-3 Anchorage to Spokane, did that in the late 80's
GT

GregA wrote: Also depending on the route you take, there's a little map by the BC Aviation Council (you can buy one online for about $10) that shows a lot of abandoned and marginal strips on it that are worth putting into your GPS and/or on your paper sectional map. Many of these are only emergency use, but are a better option than just into the trees/glaciers.

Greg,

Can you give us a link to this site to purchase the map? I checked bcaviationcouncil.org but couldn't find the map. I wouldn't mind having a copy of this when I head north in the next year or so.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I fully intend to be IFR rated and also get my commercial license so I can employ myself somewhere. As for jumping the gun before I even have a private pilot's license, yes I may be doing so, however I still have the dream to do so and I couldnt find the info very clearly displayed.

I figured I would have to land along the way and refuel and I have never been out of the USA so I didnt know if I needed a passport to go through canada...now I do...also I didnt know what the regulations are on firearms...mainly for hunting and protection (only rifles and shotguns) so now I know that. Thank you for letting me know.

I didnt know what the air space rules were over Canada so I wasnt sure if I needed to alert anyone before crossing the border...would I have to stop at the border first to display passport or what? I know nothing of crossing borders especially as it relates to aviation. As for flying from canada back into alaska, is there a procedure one must take?

The decal the one of you mentioned, what is that for? Its just a (he's from USA) sticker?

Greg, I also would like to see the link for this location of the BC Aviation.

Thanks everyone for the comments, and keep em coming!

I will print this thread out to keep with me. I am aware some things will change by the time I get there, but at least I will have a better understanding (am sort of a slow "facts" learner and need to repeat many times).

xcalibursword wrote:Thanks everyone for the comments. I fully intend to be IFR rated and also get my commercial license so I can employ myself somewhere. As for jumping the gun before I even have a private pilot's license, yes I may be doing so, however I still have the dream to do so and I couldnt find the info very clearly displayed.

I figured I would have to land along the way and refuel and I have never been out of the USA so I didnt know if I needed a passport to go through canada...now I do...also I didnt know what the regulations are on firearms...mainly for hunting and protection (only rifles and shotguns) so now I know that. Thank you for letting me know.

I didnt know what the air space rules were over Canada so I wasnt sure if I needed to alert anyone before crossing the border...would I have to stop at the border first to display passport or what? I know nothing of crossing borders especially as it relates to aviation. As for flying from canada back into alaska, is there a procedure one must take?

The decal the one of you mentioned, what is that for? Its just a (he's from USA) sticker?

Greg, I also would like to see the link for this location of the BC Aviation.

Thanks everyone for the comments, and keep em coming!

I will print this thread out to keep with me. I am aware some things will change by the time I get there, but at least I will have a better understanding (am sort of a slow "facts" learner and need to repeat many times).

There are proceedures yes and nothing worst than a tourist buzzing your 200' above at 180mph on the wrong frequency! I had the USAF (Elmendorf...sorry TP!) litterally in my windshield about 100' below me 3 miles out of Whitehorse this summer...they were on the wrong frequency and wrong altitude in their Chinook...not cool... and the darn thing (procedure) is written on both the VNC and the Flight Supplement Unlike Ak where there is no mandatory "dead zone" frequency, just a "common one" of mostly 122.9 but that changes in different AK locations, etc, where as in Canada, everyone must be monitor 126.7.... then depending on what air space you go to, you may have to switch to the Aerodrome Mandatory Frequency at least 10 miles out/10 mins prior to arrival . Greg from above here frequently flies his RV up here...he'll be a good reference for you. Yes you do need a passport, yes you can bring long firearms with proper paperwork but NO you dont have to fill EAPIS Until you try to get back into AK

Its exciting to see someone take their own dreams into their own hands...good for you and hope you get to realize what you set out for. BCP is a live aviation bible, dont hesitate to ask, Cheers

BCT-J-M
As a US aircraft, you have to do E-Apis outbound and inbound??!!
The customs sticker is just a tax to get back into the US.
I think just for US aircraft??
Looks like the cold is headed your way J-M good luck!!
Was -9 this am, now -30' short but sweet, ball cap weather for a day!
GT

The British Columbia Air Facilities Map may be available online at davenportmaps.com, or from BC Aviation Council at 604.278.9330, bcaviation.org.

M6RV6 wrote:BCT-J-M
As a US aircraft, you have to do E-Apis outbound and inbound??!!
GT

YES..thank you...I should know that by heart after the threat of getting fined $5000 last year... IN or OUT of USA= EAPIS!

The sticker is for all aircraft entering the US. We are running out of available sticker room on the Saudi registered Gulfstream I fly, probably have to buy a new airplane pretty soon.

So, being new, I have never heard of APIS so I did a google search. Seems pretty complicated . Is this the best place to go to find out more? http://apps.cbp.gov/eAPIS-pa/

Yes e-apis going into canada and also coming back into US. Get canadian sectionals and also Nav Canada supplement Lot's of good information in there. Your first landing in either country needs to be at an airport of entry. No pistols in Canada. Long guns have to be declared and a fee paid. I think you can get alcohol across into Canada but you also must pay a fee (not sure on this though). I like to not have any onboard. I have done the crossing a few times. Never had to get checked by Canadian customs. They have just had me call a number and write down a number and go ahead. US customs on the otherhand have always checked everything from your registration to your license and medical. Geiger counter around the plane and about 50 questions then you may or may not hve to unload everyting in your plane and spread it out on the ramp. (but i feel safer you never can tell when a terrorist will go to all the trouble to get the customs sticker, file a flight plan, file e-apis, etc etc.) Sticker is an annual thing for the US. Basically you pay the $27.50 to receive a sticker that says you paid the $27.50. Also I think that all of the towered airports in canada also have user fee's, you will be getting bills from them in the mail. You must file a flight plan for all cross country flights in canada. Their flight service is very helpful though.

Well, I think I'm happy I got a couple of these maps when I did, since it appears they are no longer available on the website. The website published on the map is: http://www.bcaviation.org/ and is apparently no longer in operation. I do have an email on the map ([email protected]) but have not sent them a query yet. Also, it says the map is produced by Davenport Maps Ltd (www.davenportmpas.com) but I don't see it available on their website either. I've emailed Davenport and will report back here what I learn.

I do have an excel spreadsheet that has most (but probably not all) of the emergency airstrip GPS coordinates that I can send to anyone interested and you could plug these into your GPS (send me an email or PM if you want a copy). Included on the spreadsheet is my two-word assessment of the condition of the strip based on either 1) overflying during one of my trips north, or 2) looking at it on Google Earth. It's worthwhile if you are planning to fly some of these routes to have a look at the strips on Google Earth just to get a sense of what they look like from the air should you find yourself searching for a place to put down in an emergency. Some of them are a bit overgrown (and some are in pretty good shape) but still better than the alternatives.

Cheers,
Greg

Trent, thank you for the clarification!

Greg, it wouldn't be at this address would it? http://www.bcaviationcouncil.org/

Also, I would be interested in the spreadsheet if you want to send it to me. I will store it for the future. I'll send you a PM with my email address.

Thanks!

Lots of great counsel here so far...

I did this trip last May from Boise, ID to Anchorage and back. AOPA has a bunch of great info. Get yourself the aircraft Customs sticker ahead of time. Get an eAPIS account online. File your eAPIS manifest (and make sure you have received your authorization email response) at least 2 hours ahead of your scheduled arrival at a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Airport of Entry. Make sure you have the local CBP phone number just in case. Entering into Canada (or US), your first landing needs to be at an Airport of Entry. Also a great idea to have a local Canadian Customs phone number. Frequently, we never saw a live Canadian Customs agent but cleared over the phone after landing. Also, make sure you park the designated Customs parking areas (especially in the US - DO NOT EXIT YOUR AIRCRAFT until instructed to do so, or if no Customs agent is present to meet the aircraft, and then only to call the local Customs phone number. A two hour arrival notification should guarantee a US Custom officer at airport to greet you. They can get a bit testy if you don't provide 2 hours notice.

As stated, it is mandatory that your file a flight plan in Canada. The controllers are very helpful and may help you file and close over the radio.

Plan your route and fuel stops carefully - call each airport and confirm that they have fuel available. There are 4 common routes through Canada and the Yukon Territories. The Eastern or Western Trench routes are the most common.

Definitely advise getting the NavCanada Supplement Book (all airports and frequencies - lots of great info) and Canadian Sectionals. Also get a copy of the Alaska Supplement.

Plan for weather and delays. Carry tools and extra fuel and oil onboard. there are long stretches with no airports or services.

Survival gear is mandatory - items are designated based on time of year.

Have fun - it was one of my greatest flying trips so far!