FLY TO CANADA

This is based on my personal experience of flying to Canada and back. Hope it will be some help to those who are planning such a trip.

Before Leaving US border

• Order US Custom and Border Protection decal ($27 for the calendar year):  https://DTOPS.cbp.dhs.gov
• Prepare documents:
  • Passport
  • Pilot Documentation
    • Airman certificate 
    • Medical certificate
  • Form 178 (need for return to US)  http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/intl/customs/178.pdf
  • Airplane Documentation
    • Aircraft registration certificate (temporary "pink slip" registration forms are not valid for international flights as described in US Title 19 Customs Duties, Chapter 1, Part 122, Subpart C Section 122.27);
    • Aircraft airworthiness certificate (for aircraft with a C of A or Special C of A);
    • Aircraft operating limitations (including the Standardized Validation of a Special Airworthiness Certificate-Experimental, for the Purpose of Operating a U.S.-Registered Amateur-Built Aircraft in Canadian Airspace);
    • Weight and balance information;
    • FAA 337 form when the aircraft has been fitted with extra fuel tanks in the baggage or passenger compartments.
  • Airplane Insurance
  • Print a copy of the "Standardised Validation of a Special Airworthiness Certificate" and carry with you. http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/maintenance/RegsDocs/Validation.htm
•  Departing US for Canada
  • At least two hours before arrival time, call Canadian Customs (1-888-226-7277) to make an appointment at an airport of entry (see International Landing Facilities document below).
    • Customs will ask: number of the pilot, passenger, airplane tail number, the airport of entry, time of arrival, purpose of the trip. 
  • Before penetrating US/Canada border, call ATC (center or approach) to get fly following. Flight plan is needed only for search and rescure (a good idea to file) but not necessary for crosing the border.
  • Upon arriving at the airport of entry request ground to taxi to custom. Call 1-888-226-7277 to inform custom your arrival. Canada custom may or may not inspect you.
• Departing Canada for US
  • Check the "International Landing Facilities" to find a airport of entry. Make sure your arrival will be during their regular hour (I called an "international" airport for an out of regular hour arrival and was denied.) If you arrive in weekend, you will need to call on Friday.  Have your US Customs form 178 filled and ready to fax to them.
  • Call the number for the airport of entry. Talk to the officer and give your name, tail number, aircraft type, time of arrival (you have -0 +15 minutes). The rest of the information will be on Form 178. Fax the form to the number the officer gives you.
  • File Canadian Flight Plan. On the remark section, indicate ADCUS (Advise Customs). You need flight plan to fly in Canada.
  • If VFR, call ATC before penetrating US border. You may call US center or approach control to get permission to cross the border. Basically, you will need to have a transponder code to cross the border.
  • Fly to the airport of entry, land and wait for the customs agent to come to you. S/he will need your passport, pilot certificate, medical, aircraft registration, and airworthiness certificate.

International Landing Facilities (from AOPA):

http://www.aopa.org/members/airports/pdfs/international_ops.pdf

US Customs and Border Protection Airports:

Telephone: The phone number to call

Regular Hours:  You may arrive only during those hour

Remark:  Call on preceding weekday (if you arrive on weekend, you must call on Friday to make appointment)

From Transport Canada:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/general/recavi/Brochures/flyingtocanada.htm

Print this (Flying to Canada brochure): http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/general/recavi/Brochures/flying.pdf

From AOPA:

http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/intl/canada/

Canada charts on-line (out of date, for reference only):

http://www.ivao.ca/charts/cfs.html