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Canadian Flying

Jamesdub

Jamesdub

New member
Enterprise, AL
Aircraft Year
1978
Aircraft Type
114
Reg Number
N114JA
Serial Number
14365
In a little more than a week we'll venture into the Northern lands for an all too brief visit to Canada. Specifically, after Oshkosh a trip around Lake Superior including a stopover at Thunder Bay.

We have customs decals, radio licenses, and eAPIS. GPS database loads for the area and a feeling of 'what have we overlooked'??

Two part question?
One; With ref to Canada, What are the 'must' see sites say within 50 miles of inside the Superior coast line and around Thunder Bay? (Scott has provided excellent recommendations for Michigan).

Two; What are the " gotcha's " that we need to look for when crossing and working in the Canadian airspace / system?

Survival gear; plan is a flight of two but I can foresee a bit more over 'cold' water and flight over rugged terrain than what we're accustomed down here in the southeast. Any updates from the folks that frequent this area on a regular basis?

Really appreciate any feedback. Very excited about this hop.
John
 
Re: Canadian Flying

A year ago, I opted for the new plastic secure coded 'Passport Card'. Then found out, while its good for Canada, Mexico & the Carribean, it is only good for land or sea crossings or entry, NOT FLYING, so we left plane in Plattsburgh and my expat HS friendwith dual citizenship drove us up/back from Montreal. So unless things have changed you need the hard copy passport.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

In Canada ATC will refer to the 'pattern' as the 'circuit'

In Canada ATC will refer to 'surveillance' and not 'radar' so for example they will say 'surveillance services have been terminated' vs 'radar services have been terminated'. This is new.

None of your beautiful ADSB toys will work in most parts if you are more than say 30 miles or so north of any US based ADSB infrastructure.

I am sure my other CDN colleagues will add however I find flying either side of the 49th very similar with the only 'get it right' point being the entry point.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

John:

You seem to have what you need for getting into Canada.

File your eapis request early to make sure it goes through and you get "permission" from the US government to leave your country. If you change your expected arrival time, you DO NOT have to amend your eapis departure request.

Next, file a flight plan. You must file a flight plan for the cross border flight. (While in Canada, you are required to file either flight plans or flight itineraries for all flights.)

Call Canadian customs (CBSA) before leaving on you cross border flight. This is done through a central number, I-888-CANPASS. This should be done a little more than an hour before your expected arrival at your Canadian destination.

When you are on the ground in Canada, if an agent does not meet the aircraft, call the same number again (1-888- CANPASS) and they will either tell you to wait, or ask to confirm your earlier declaration and clear you on your way. Write down and keep the clearance number you are given.

Don
 
Re: Canadian Flying

I grew up on the South shore of L Superior, just back from driving up for a visit. The last I flew to Canada was 3 years ago, yeah jump through the eapis hoops and call prior too.

I assume you have been to Mackinac Island already? Recent enough that you don't need another visit? A few sites on the U.S. side besides Mac Island would be a Soo Locks tour, Tequamenon Falls, a Quincy Mine tour in Hancock.

There is the Pictured Rocks area near Munising, Mi. I'd at least fly over, abiding by minimum altitudes for the area, likely 2000' AGL.

I've not done much on the North side of 'Gitche Gumee'. Of course we also assume all passengers have a clean record for Canadian Customs? I know of a few who got sent back at the border on fishing trips, to recent DWI or whatever.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

You have to inform Canada Customs at least 2 hrs before arrival. Last year coming back from the COG fly-in, I called and told them ETA of 1:50, and was told it has to be 2 Hrs notice! I thought for sure they would't care about 10 minutes, but I was wrong.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

Canadian customs is a crap-shoot. Each time I have landed in Windsor, I have been questioned thoroughly, but not bad. A couple of years ago I landed in Oshawa and some sh*t-kicker babe in a bad mood made me remove everything from the plane and cargo area, then remove the bulkhead, so she could squirm on her fat butt into the space with a flashlight. Of course she found nothing. then it started to drizzle. so she went inside and told me to follow her. I said I would AFTER I repacked - wet. She started to get pissy with me and I just started repacking. So she said, "GO NOWHERE ELSE but from your plane to THAT OFFICE" pointing, and walked off. I was totally pissed. I went in, all she did was give me the clearance number. That's it. Such bull-sh*t.

I LOVE flying into London Ontario though. Probably 5 or 6 times and tower tells you to pull down to the customs circle by the Aeroshell sign and standby. After a few minutes they give you an 800 number to call. You call, they ask for your numbers and filing then say standby. A few minutes later the tower calls, gives you your clearance number and says "you are free to proceed. Have a nice day!" That's it!

At Kitchener-Waterloo, they walk out, super nice and polite, ask you a few questions, send you on your way. Never had to leave the plane.

So the point is ... prepare for and expect the worst, and it will probably be not such a big deal. No different than coming back into the U.S. At Detroit City they are nice. Willow Run polite. But Port Huron? I wanted to freakin' kill the a**-hole. Just a complete and total dickhead. Sigh.

Kind of a Box of Chocolates thing. Now and then you bite into a mincemeat nougate anis parfait.
 
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Re: Canadian Flying

I've flown into Toronto City Center (Billy Bishop) airport a half dozen times over the years and have never laid eyes on a immigration officer. Land, call Can-Pass, get a clearance number over the phone. 5 minute, no hassle exercise.

Coming back to the States is a real crap shoot though. Haven't had to unload my plane yet but sometimes I feel like I underwent a cavity search. Cannot exit the plane until the CBP guy slow walks out, just sit there in the sun. Last time (last Monday as a matter of fact) it was quick and easy but I never know what to expect. :confused:
 
Re: Canadian Flying

Bottom line is that it's the people, not the country/agency....thats for sure. Glad to hear that YXU and YKF are good to you Scott. YXU is my home town and YKF is my home base. Same very positive experiences there coming in either privately or commercially.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

proppilot said:
Bottom line is that it's the people, not the country/agency....thats for sure. Glad to hear that YXU and YKF are good to you Scott. YXU is my home town and YKF is my home base. Same very positive experiences there coming in either privately or commercially.
Click to expand...

Absolutely the truth, Tony. It's the people. The guy in Port Huron, I went to the location on the field and called multiple times. finally decided to shut down the engine and call Port Huron Customs at the port on my cell to ask if anyone was out at the airport. I was sitting at least 200 feet from the door of the building. No one in site, but I could see a customs car over on the side. The second the prop stopped, the door opened and out he comes, strutting like a rooster. His explanation? Rules did not allow him to open the door until the prop stopped. Why did he not reply on the radio? Because the prop had not stopped. I just stared at him for a loooooooooong time. I seriously considered telling him that I must need new batteries for my hearing aides and actually pulling them out, doing the entire battery change routine.

I swallowed hard and powered through the rest of the BS from him. The Dickmeister was breaking in a new, younger guy, who I could tell was profoundly embarrassed. Just pathetic.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

We have tracked the highs and lows of US Customs for many years. The high has usually been Drummond Island. The low has always been Port Huron.

Don
 
Re: Canadian Flying

Dayton for the COG fly-in was first class as well. Great guys who were far more interested in looking at the airplane and hearing about the event than demonstrating their authority.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

Thanks everyone on this and the other Geo specific threads for your suggestions.
Excitement meter is starting to rise . . . . Thanks again, John
 
Re: Canadian Flying

I think that if you're patient and polite, things will go smoothly. You might consider dropping in at Killarney (not Manitoba). They have a wonder fish and chips. About a 20 minute walk from the airport to town. They sometimes will also come and pick you up. Really scenic.
 
Re: Canadian Flying

Phil, they always come and pick you up ! Went there two Saturdays ago and just as we were prepping to depart, Dave Nusca in GRKT showed up so two Commanders in the house :-)
 
Re: Canadian Flying

I like the walk into town, to help prep for the delicious Fish and Chips on the Dock. Quite scenic to say the least.

Next time you guys are planning on going, let me know. We could have a mini Commander re-union!
 
Re: Canadian Flying

done deal
 
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