Dave O and I flew to Vancouver for an afternoon in February. Since he flew I was able to drink beer there for once. It was a great opportunity to refresh procedures for crossing the border to Canada and back to the U.S.
- Get a US Customs private aircraft arrival form 178, they prefer it faxed but if you don't have a fax you can call them with the information about your arrival. You'll need your passengers' full names and dates of birth. You will need to fax it or call them at least two hours prior to your arrival back in the U.S.
- Ensure your plane has a US Customs decal, or you have the decal number arranged.
- Call Canadian Customs and give them your arrival time and passengers' information, full names and dates of birth. Call 1-888-CAN-PASS (1-888-226-7277) at least two hours but not more than 48 hours before flying into Canada.
- File your flight plan with Flight Service. I often file direct VFR to YVR (The VOR).
- Just before departure call CAN PASS with an updated arrival time if it has changed by more than 15 minutes or so.
- Make sure everyone has a passport.
- Have a copy of the Vancouver VFR Terminal Area Chart (VTA). It shows you everything about flying into an out of the Vancouver area including Boundary Bay Airport.
- After take-off, contact Seattle Radio to activate your flight plan and to get your border crossing transponder code.
- If you elect to talk to Whidbey Approach they may change your code in either direction which is OK, it has already served its purpose.
- From the Seattle area you will normally fly the Coal Pile arrival into CYVR. This route takes you over Orcas Island-Eastsound Airport. Fly the lower altitudes and contact Victoria Terminal after crossing Orcas. They will get you on radar and help you out if you are "unfamiliar".You can tell them it is your first flight into Vancouver but you have the VTA and are following the Coal Pile arrival procedures. They will love you and help you out. Note that CYVR has outer and an inner tower frequencies.
- Fly the exact profile as shown on the VTA, the charts and information is ordered step by step.
- Expect to fly a tight base for the south runway, approach to land over the threshold so you may see red PAPI lights, but your goal is to get off the runway asap for the jets behind you or that are holding short. Exit to the South.
- Contact ground and say that you need to taxi to customs. Park in front of the customs building, leaving your engine running and call customs on your cell phone if you wish. There is a pay phone inside as an option.
- Customs may clear you on the phone, have a pen and paper ready to copy down your clearance number. Post this number in your front window and record it in a log book. Once cleared you are free to taxi to your FBO for parking.
- In the past I have used the Esso/Avitat FBO that is directly east of customs. But on this trip we were hit with a horrendous $50.00 CDN per day parking charge!!! CAUTION. The after-hours receptionist said small plane pilots are often arranging to park at Linden's ramp between customs and Avitat for no charge then walking into Avitat. (Not verified by us).
- Reverse this whole process to return to the U.S.
- Inform U.S. Customs of your arrival, fax them the form 178, or relay the info over the phone. The Seattle area number is: +1-(206)-553-7960.
- Call Kamloops Flight Service which handles VFR flight plans. FBO's will often have this on speed dial in their flight planning rooms.The number is +1-(866)-WX-BRIEF. Ask about getting a transponder code. They will give you another phone number for that.
- Call "VFR Codes" to get a border crossing transponder code. The FBO will often have this on speed dial too, or you can try, 1-866-VFR-CODE.
- If you are at CYVR, it is usual procedure, get ATIS, then call clearance for VFR to Boeing Field, etc. Tell then it is your first time departing there, if so, but that you have the VTA and the Garry Point Departure procedure, or as appropriate.
- The departure is straightforward, Victoria Terminal may or may not hand you off to Whidbey Approach. Whidbey may change your transponder code for a Seattle Approach hand-off.
- Upon landing immediately taxi to customs. Have your form 178 all filled out, all passports ready, and your pilot's license, medical and aircraft registration ready. Stay in the airplane until the officer approaches the plane, then the pilot can normally get out - and then go from there.
- Once cleared immediately taxi out and away from the Customs area.
- Close your VFR Flight plan with Flight Service, I often do this on approach over the radio.
- Send CascadeFlyers@CascadeFlyers.org a blogable feature of your experience and adventure!
Fly directly over the coal pile exactly at the altitudes indicated. There may be crossing traffic from all directions to and from Victoria and Boundary Bay, including helicopters. After the coal pile expect a frequency change to Vancouver outer tower.
Exit right or south on taxiway Bravo and Customs is the building directly in front of you! (The photo got corrupted). Ground control will guide you if needed. Taxi in front of the front door of the building and park inside the red box.Park facing east and Esso will be directly in front of you.
The Vancouver area departures are just as straightforward as the arrivals. Please send in a few photos of your flight and a little blurb of your experience. Happy flying into and out of Canada!
Be very careful where you park your plane @ YVR. Some places will hit you with a $50 ramp fee (daily), regardless of whether you purchase fuel from them.
That, and a $31.00 landing fee makes it a $200 Hamburger trip.
Posted by: Dave Osgood | March 25, 2009 at 10:17 AM