If you are planning to fly to the U.S., for
example to attend this year’s EAA AirVenture with your amateur-built aircraft
that has no electrics, we would like to highlight the requirement for a
functioning transponder to cross the border and the procedure for getting a
waiver.
Also, we would like to point out a change to existing waiver procedures that was
announced by the United States Transportation Security Agency (TSA) on May 9.
You should carefully study all of the NOTAMs concerning active Temporary Flight
Restrictions (TFRs) and other restrictions applicable to your particular flight.
The following is a portion of the FDC NOTAM 2/5319, OPERATIONS TO/ FROM
LOCATIONS OUTSIDE THE U.S.:
1. The aircraft is registered in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. 2. The flight crew
and only known passengers are on board. 3. The pilot files and activates a
flight plan. 4. The pilot is in communication with the governing ATC facility at
the time of the boundary crossing. 5. The aircraft is squawking an air traffic
control assigned discrete beacon code. 6. The pilot complies with all U.S.
customs notifications and complies with requirements to land at airports in the
U.S.., Canada or Mexico designated as ports of entry.
Please be aware that the requirement applies to and from the U.S., meaning that
you also have to comply with the “talk and squawk” requirement when crossing the
border coming back to Canada.
Last year, some members were surprised and trapped in the U.S. when they tried
to return to Canada without a transponder. They managed to get across the border
going to AirVenture, but U.S. ATC prevented them from returning.
If you cannot comply, a waiver form can be downloaded from the FAA Web site
www.intl.faa.gov/uswaiverrequest.doc and faxed to 571-227-1947 for
permission to cross the border without a transponder or if you cannot meet any
of the other requirements for that matter.
Please note, a blanket waiver that is currently in place for VFR operations
between Canada and the Minneapolis ARTCC or Canada and the Seattle ARTCC
airspace without an ATC-assigned transponder code will expire on June 15.
You will need to apply to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for
new, individual waivers using the above mentioned waiver request form. The
NOTAMs covering this change are 3/3541 and 3/3542. Further information can be
obtained by contacting the TSA at 571-227-2234, or 571-227-2245.