Dstefanc From United States, joined Dec 2001, 49 posts, RR: 2 Posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 596 times:
Hi,
I was wondering if any of You would know an answer to this. I have looked at the FAA website, but I couldn't find the answer . I will have a private pilot's certificate within about 1 week and I am very interested in flying to Niagara Falls as one of my first longer cross countries. I have one concern though, and it has to deal with flying over international borders. As You all most obviously know, Niagara Falls is located on the boarder of Canada and US, so if I would want to take an aerial tour of the place, flying across the boarder would be pretty much a must. I would really appreciate if any of You could give me any information in regards to private pilots flying across the US/Canada boarder with a US private pilot's certificate. Furthermore, there will be no landing in Canada, so maybe that makes the rules more relaxed/easier.
KELPkid From United States, joined Nov 2005, 3202 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 571 times:
Quoting Dstefanc (Thread starter): Furthermore, there will be no landing in Canada, so maybe that makes the rules more relaxed/easier.
Nope. It's an international flight-must terminate in Canada (and clear Canadian customs). Coming back, you have to file a DVFR flight plan, notify US Customs, must land at a US port of entry, and must clear US customs (always put the word "ADCUS" on your return flight plan-stands for "advise customs"). However, I hear that there is something called the "Canpass" for clearing Canadian customs which exempts you from the Canadian customs inspection most of the time...
http://www.aopa.org should give you everything you need to know...if you're not an AOPA member, you should become one! They are a very helpful organisation...the AAA of the sky as I call them
Keep the greasy side down!
Rulebooks and regulations are made from paper...and they do a poor job at preventing metal from contacting rock-Ernest G
Justplanecrazy From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2003, 536 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 516 times:
Nonrvsmdmf From United States, joined Dec 2003, 186 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 486 times:
You must apply to be a member of Canpass.
Canada customs must be preadvised and then the pic must
call to confirm a minumum of two hours prior to arrival and
before the aircraft takes off.
It is really not that hard to clear Canada customs. You call, give
them your info, they will ask you about alcohol, tobacco and
firearms on board. They will ask you an additional 1-10 questions
and then you are ready to go.
I did not forget...I just misplaced the thought...
Tguman From Canada, joined Apr 2001, 335 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 476 times:
I was under the impression that as long as you didn't actually land in the country you didn't have to clear customs. At my flight school we often do instrument approaches in the USA. Never clear customs, and we are even on IFR flight plan and are in contact with US ATC. The same goes with going to Niagara. Don't think you need to clear customs if you do not intend to land.
If it was mandatory so many polar flights would have problems. Imagine going to Germany from Chicago. You would have to land in Canada, possibly England, Netherlands. Or Chicago to Japan which passes directly over YWG, they don't land in YWG clear customs and then keep going, they just keep flying. I would contact US border patrol and ask them. Or even Canada customs and talk to them.
Dstefanc From United States, joined Dec 2001, 49 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 439 times:
I must agree with Tguman, that I shouldn't be required to land in Canada even though I cross the border. My intentions are not to land there, because I don't want to go through customs. I just want to fly over Niagara Falls without worrying about crossing the boarder. So, now I'm not sure what the rules are?
Tguman From Canada, joined Apr 2001, 335 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 400 times:
Also, if you file a flight plan, you won't have to worry about cross-border problems. A flight plan is needed so that you don't get shot down coming back.
Also, at least on the Canadian side there is standard pattern outlined for flying over the falls. It is published in the CFS (Canada Flight Supplement) which is valid every 56 days (kinda like airnav except in book form and gives you every registered airdrome in Canada. I suggest before going there getting a hold of some sort of map or even a CFS in order to follow the pattern for flying over the falls.
Joness0154 From United States, joined Nov 2005, 667 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 314 times:
Well, I do not have a chart with me, but is there an ADIZ on the US/Canadian border? If so, you will probably have to file a flight plan for the flight. As for landing in Canada, I am not sure if you have to or not.
I also assume you would need a Radio Operators License...I know you need one for going to the Bahamas
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem
It seems as though you will need to be on a US VFR or IFR flight plan and do not need to file an international FP if you are just planning an overflight. Also seems you probably don't need a Radio Ops license if you are not landing there.
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem
TWA902fly From United States, joined Dec 1999, 2725 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 278 times:
I dont think you have to be because i know UND students dont. And i've done a cross country to Baudette, Minnesota, the airport is right on the border. the pattern for one of the runways is over Canada, and i definately didnt call anyone or approve anything. Same goes for flying from Grand Forks to International Falls, a section over Canadian airspace, but no nothing as far as i know. You should be fine i would think. I would guess BOS-SEA and other such flights would pass over Canadian airspace on a domestic routing.
'902
life wasn't worth the balance, or the crumpled paper it was written on
Pilotpip From United States, joined Sep 2003, 2066 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 267 times:
You could likely call the FSS that handles flights in the Niagra Falls area. They'll be able to help you with rules that are specific for the area. Each one has a "local" number that you can call rather than the 1-800-WX-BRIEF number that sends you to the nearest one. I did this for a flight to the DC area a couple years back when the ADIZ was a new thing.
The AOPA idea is a great one too. They have lots of resources available and the membership fee is worth it for the magazine alone.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States, joined Dec 2001, 49 posts, 
. I will have a private pilot's certificate within about 1 week and I am very interested in flying to Niagara Falls as one of my first longer cross countries. I have one concern though, and it has to deal with flying over international borders. As You all most obviously know, Niagara Falls is located on the boarder of Canada and US, so if I would want to take an aerial tour of the place, flying across the boarder would be pretty much a must. I would really appreciate if any of You could give me any information in regards to private pilots flying across the US/Canada boarder with a US private pilot's certificate. Furthermore, there will be no landing in Canada, so maybe that makes the rules more relaxed/easier.
From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2003, 536 posts, 
From Canada, joined Apr 2001, 335 posts, 
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