Flying into Canada

[DOX8]

I am planning my first flight into Canada next month. I will be flying VFR from central Indiana into Ontario. There are a few things that are still unclear to me.

I understand the eapis and flight plan requirement but, since I will not be crossing an ADIZ, am I required to contact ATC for the border crossing?

Are there any differences using Flight Following in Canada and where is the best place to locate ATC frequencies for Flight following while in route?

I would appreciate any advice or tips. Thank you in advance

[kamikaze]

"am I required to contact ATC for the border crossing?"

Yes, be in contact when crossing, so if you're VFR, flight following ... you must be handed over, otherwise you're an anonymous target crossing the border, and the fast movers will come to escort you!

When I use FF, I do it for the whole flight usually, so I've never had to look anything up ... you just get handed over ... the same would happen when crossing I would presume.

Not sure where you'd look up terminal frequencies, especially in particular sectors, as they can vary based on location. Once I lost flight following, I called up flight services and asked them to give the best frequency for the terminal I was in contact with and they obliged, and back on I was. Used to be FIC was 126.7 everywhere, but that's changed now ... you can see the RCO map here :

http://www.navcanada.ca/EN/products-...tives-rco.aspx

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by DOX8

I understand the eapis and flight plan requirement but, since I will not be crossing an ADIZ, am I required to contact ATC for the border crossing?
...

I found the AOPA web site very helpful when I visited Canada.

http://www.aopa.org/Flight-Planning/Canada

This is on the AOPA Departure tab -

* Pilots crossing the border must be in communication with ATC and on a discrete squawk code.
* All aircraft must be on an activated IFR, VFR, or Defense VFR if you are flying through the ADIZ from Alaska.
* All aircraft must make their first landing at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) airport of entry.


The ATC bit is compulsory....

[TroyBranch]

You do not have to use flight but you do need a transponder code from the US centre both coming and going. In the west I always get let go of centre before crossing because there is poor coverage down low. Many times the only choice is to get in contact with the US flight service station and they will get the code from centre for you. As long as you got the code you are good. Canadian centre can get you the code as well for crossing but I only do that if I cannot raise US flight service or US CENTRE.

When leaving the US it is not important if you change your crossing time compared to what you filed your eapis at. It just needs to be the same day. Coming back though you have to talk to US customs to book a time. Even then if you change the time with them you do not have to change you Eapis if it is the same day.

Make sure you call Canadian customs to book an arrival time too.

[sblack]

Originally Posted by kamikaze

"am I required to contact ATC for the border crossing?"

Yes, be in contact when crossing, so if you're VFR, flight following ... you must be handed over, otherwise you're an anonymous target crossing the border, and the fast movers will come to escort you!

Yes be very careful because we have a squadron of kamikazi mounties in cessnas patrolling the border. Our 2 F18s just can't be everywhere

[Ivan Kristensen]

Jeff,
Flying in and out of Canada is really quite easy especially when you become familiar with the filing of an eAPIS report.

Both coming and going you must:
1. Call Customs to make an appointment.
2. File an eAPIS
3. File a flight plan and activate it. (If VFR get flight following)
3. Have a valid Passport to re-enter the US.
4. Have a user fee decal (A US requirement only)
4. Valid Pilot license and aircraft documentation. (Nothing special here)

If you don't already have a user fee decal you can get it here https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/

For Canadian Custom call CanPass at 888-226-7277 and tell what airport you want to land at. They will ask a few questions incl your ETA. You will want to be fairly accurate with your ETA. They don't like it if your are early but you can be up to 1/2 hour late.

If the Canadian Customs are not there to greet you then call them back on the number above, chances are that they will not come out in which case they will give you a clearance number and you are free to go.

Good luck and welcome to Canada and Ontario. If you are in the Kitchener/Guelph area and need any help at all feel free to give me a call. 519-654-6321

Ivan Kristensen

[DOX8]

Thank you everyone for the input.
The current plan (weather permitting) is to fly up in the morning of May 16. The first destination will be Kitchener where we will complete customs then rent a car to visit family. I have not decided yet if it will be a direct flight (about 3 hours in a Grumman Tiger) or stop to top off the tanks before crossing the border. We will depart Kitchener for Barrie in the late afternoon where we will visit more family and spend the night. The return flight will be in the afternoon on Sunday, May 17. The plan is to to depart Barrie and go through customs at Port Huron. It seems the choice of US airports of entry is limited when crossing on Sunday.
I have to say that the border crossing process is intimidating but I hope it proves as easy as everyone says. I hope to make more of these trips in the future

[C-FAH Q]

Do not use port huron. They will drag you inside and make you fill out all the forms you just did for the Eapis. Instead of a 5 minute stop, you will be there for an hour. Try port Clinton just west of Sandusky.

[Ivan Kristensen]

Originally Posted by C-FAH Q

Do not use port huron. They will drag you inside and make you fill out all the forms you just did for the Eapis. Instead of a 5 minute stop, you will be there for an hour. Try port Clinton just west of Sandusky.

I agree, definitely avoid Port Huron if you can, Port Clinton is by far the better place to clear US Customs.

[pa38112]

You can get the center frequencies from an IFR enrout chart. It is a light blue box that looks like a postage stamp. I use forflight, so even when flying VFR I can switch the map to get the frequency. Just pick the one closest to where you are. If it is not right, they will give you the correct frequency after you indent. - I sure wish they had a chart that shows the boundaries of each center area... maybe they change depending on work load?