• If You Are Having Trouble Logging In with Your Old Username and Password, Please use this Forgot Your Password link to get re-established.
  • Hey! Be sure to login or register!

Canada Border update 8/8/2021


Im just saying, based on my experience, part 91 guy in a 180 may not get by based on this...

Oh I don't disagree with that...

But the rules are pretty clear. According to the CDC order, general aviation pilots are crew members and should be exempt from testing if they follow the FAA SAFO guidelines, which are also clear.

That doesn't mean that border agents from either country are knowledgable about the CDC order or the FAA SAFO guidelines. There also isn't much you can do if the agent chooses to interpret the rules on a case by case basis with no consistency.
 
The rules references OSHA guidance, which is what the CDC used, I agree you might not have any trouble getting back in to the USA in a part 91 flight without having to prove you have had a negative COVID test in the last three days. I couldn’t get a straight answer if CBP can ask for it which I’m sure they can. But to claim a passenger is crew in a single engine part 91 flight could get you in trouble.

So if you wanted to be safe take the test in Canada if your there for more then 3 days. But what happens if you get a false negative test you are stuck in Canada for possibly days.

Remember you can drive across without having to worry about this. As expected I did not hear anything from AOPA which is really disappointing
 
Canadians cannot currently enter the US by road, only by air. And of course we prefer to fly!

AOPA and COPA released an article last week and frankly it creates more confusion than it resolves... confusing the ground border and air border requirements for example.
 
Couple other notes after talking to people. I used the words "private aircraft" rather than "general aviation" and noted I had a passenger. That triggered the CBP person to require me to go to Winnipeg instead of an AOE airport (Thunder Bay). Here is the guidance from their NOTAM:

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR 27/21

EXPANDED COVID-19 FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR
AIRCRAFT CARRYING PASSENGERS TO CANADA

Does the restriction apply to private general aviation aircraft?

General aviation (privately owned recreational aircraft that are not used for conducting business) are not
restricted by this NOTAM. The pilot and passengers of recreational aircraft must land at an authorized Airport
of Entry (AOE) that is open for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) immigration and customs
processing, and comply with all federal and provincial public health measures that may apply



Here is a current list of AOE's sorted by Province.....

CYYC Calgary Air Commercial Calgary AB AOE/CARGO
CYYC Calgary International Airport Calgary AB AOE
CYOD Cold Lake Airport (4 wing) Cold Lake AB AOE/M
CEP4 Coutts/Ross International Airport Coutts AB AOE/15
CYEG Edmonton International Airport Edmonton International Airport AB AOE
CYEG Edmonton International Airport Commercial Office Edmonton International Airport AB AOE/CARGO
CEQ4 Whetstone International Airport (Del Bonita) 100 metres south of the port of Del Bonita AB AOE/15
CYXX Abbotsford International Airport Abbotsford BC AOE/15
CYQQ Comox Military Base Airport (19 wing) Laslo BC AOE/M
CYQQ Comox Valley Airport Comox BC AOE/15 AOE/CAN
CYKA Kamloops Airport Kamloops BC AOE/30
CYLW Kelowna International Airport Kelowna BC AOE/30
CYCD Nanaimo Airport Nanaimo BC AOE/20
CYPR Prince Rupert Airport Prince Rupert BC AOE/15
CZSW Seal Cove Prince Rupert BC AOE/15/SEAPL
CYVR Vancouver International Airport Commercial Operations Richmond BC AOE/CARGO
CYVR Vancouver International Airport Passenger Operations Richmond BC AOE
CYVR Vancouver International Airport River Landing Site Richmond BC AOE/15/SEAPL AOE/CAN/SEAPL
CYVR Vancouver International Airport Small Aircraft Reporting Station Richmond BC AOE/25
CYWH Victoria Inner Harbour CBSA Seaplane Terminal Victoria BC AOE/15/SEAPL
CYYJ Victoria International Airport Sidney BC AOE/120
S28 (FAA) International Peace Garden Airport / Boissevain (adjacent to Boissevain POE) MB AOE/15
CYWG Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport Winnipeg MB AOE
CYWG Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport - Commercial Section Winnipeg MB AOE/CARGO
CZBF Bathurst Regional Airport South Tetagouche NB AOE/15
CYCL Charlo Airport Charlo NB AOE/CAN
CYES Edmundston Airport Saint-Jacques NB AOE/15
CCR3 Florenceville Airport Florenceville NB AOE/15
Not registered Fosterville Fosterville NB AOE/15/SEAPL
CYFC Fredericton International AirportFootnote2 Lincoln NB AOE/55
CCK3 Grand Falls Airport Drummond NB AOE/CAN
CYQM Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International AirportFootnote3 Dieppe NB AOE/300
CYSJ Saint John AirportFootnote7 Saint John NB AOE/120
CYSL St. Leonard St. Leonard NB AOE/15/SEAPL
CCS3 St. Stephen Airport Dufferin Charlotte Co NB AOE/15
CYDF Deer Lake Regional Airport Deer Lake NL AOE/120
CYQX Gander CBSA Office/Gander International Airport Gander NL AOE AOE/CARGO
CYYR Goose Bay Airport (5 wing) Goose Bay NL AOE/15 AOE/M
CYYR Goose Bay Otter Creek Goose Bay NL AOE/15/SEAPL
CYYT St. John's International Airport St. John's NL AOE/165
CYJT Stephenville International Airport Stephenville NL AOE/30
CYZX Greenwood Aerodrome (14 wing) Greenwood NS AOE/M
CYHZ Halifax Stanfield International Airport Enfield NS AOE
CYQY JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport Sydney NS AOE/44
CYPD Port Hawkesbury Airport Port Hastings NS AOE/15
CYAW Shearwater Aerodrome (12 wing) Shearwater NS AOE/M
Not registered Sydney Harbour (Seaplanes) suite 100Sydney NS AOE/15/SEAPL
CYQI Yarmouth Airport Yarmouth NS AOE/110
CYZF Yellowknife Airport Yellowknife NT AOE/15
CYFB Iqaluit Airport Iqaluit NU AOE/15
CYTZ Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Toronto ON AOE/90 CAN/AIR AOE/15/SEAPL/90
CYHM Hamilton CBSA Office/John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport Hamilton ON AOE/220
CYGK Kingston/Norman Rogers Airport Kingston ON AOE/30
CYKF Kitchener-Waterloo International Airport (Region of) Breslau ON AOE/180
CYLS Lake Simcoe Regional Airport Oro Station ON AOE/24
CYXU London CBSA Office/London International Airport London ON AOE/180 AOE/CARGO
CYQA Muskoka Airport Gravenhurst ON AOE/15
CYYB North Bay CBSA Office/Jack Garland Airport North Bay ON AOE/15
CYOO Oshawa Executive Airport Oshawa ON AOE/50
CYOW Ottawa Cargo Services (OCS) Ottawa ON AOE/CARGO
CYOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Ottawa ON AOE
CYTA Pembroke Airport Pembroke ON AOE/M
CYPQ Peterborough Airport Peterborough ON AOE/15
CYAM Sault Ste. Marie Airport Sault Ste. Marie ON AOE/30
CNE5 Springer Aerospace Echo Bay ON AOE/CAN AOE/CAN/SEAPL
CYQT Thunder Bay International Airport Thunder Bay ON AOE/40
CYYZ Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport - Terminal I Toronto ON AOE
CYYZ Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport - Terminal III Toronto ON AOE
CYYZ Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport Commercial Operations Toronto ON AOE/CARGO
CYYZ Toronto Lester B. Pearson International AirportVista Cargo Terminal Mississauga ON AOE/CARGO
CYTR Trenton (8 wing) Astra ON AOE/M
CYQG Windsor Airport Windsor ON AOE/325
CYYG Charlottetown AirportFootnote1 Charlottetown PE AOE/60
CYHG Charlottetown Harbour Charlottetown PE AOE/15/SEAPL
CYBG Bagotville (3 wing) La Baie QC AOE/M
CYML Charlevoix Airport Clermont QC AOE/CAN
CYQB Jean Lesage International Airport Quebec QC AOE
CYHU Montreal St-Hubert Longueuil Airport Longueuil QC AOE/15
CYMX Montreal-Mirabel International Airport Mirabel QC AOE/15 AOE/CARGO
CYUL Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport Dorval QC AOE
CYUL Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau: CommercialFootnote4 Dorval QC AOE/CARGO
CYBG Saguenay-Bagotville Airport La Baie QC AOE/30
CYRQ Trois-Rivières Airport Trois-Rivières QC AOE/15
CYQR Regina International AirportFootnote5 Regina SK AOE/200
CYXE Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport Saskatoon SK AOE/200
CKK3 Scobey Border Station Airport (Coronach)Footnote6 Coronach/Scobey SK AOE/15
CJF5 West Poplar River Rockglen SK AOE/15
CYXY Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport Whitehorse YT AOE/50
CEZ5 Schwatka Lake Whitehorse YT AOE/15/SEAPL
 
Im hoping we can keep this thread alive with first hand experiences, so please share. There's going to be a big hangover associated with all of this and only public pressure will bring some sanity and accountability back.

Since July I've crossed several times between CYQT and KCKC. Apart from some initial misinterpretation and short staffing entering the US has been a pleasure. CBP has recognized the crew exemption each time.

Returning to Canada however I've been subjected to some truly outrageous behavior on the part of CBSA officers and to a lesser extent Health Canada officials.

All of it centers around ignorance of the rules, so basically CBSA officers make up their own. The end result is, even though the Order in Council (the prevailing current law)
https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=41037&lang=en
clearly states crew are exempt from testing, CBSA officers have concluded that crew of private light aircraft are not crew.

So I've been flying a little under 100 Nm each way to get a PCR test, the results of which take 2 days to get leaving a seemingly small window of opportunity to travel.

On Saturday I found myself on the phone with a weather briefer, discussin marginal VFR conditions, special VFR to enter YQT airspace etc. And the general lack of vis and ceiling info available along that part of the Lake Superior shoreline.

I fortunatly realized I had a bad case of "get home itus" exacerbated by a call to CBSA wherein the officer voiced concern about my expiring covid test!

I canceled my flight plan after doing a little more research to find the actual law states "a negative result for a COVID-19 molecular test that was performed on a specimen collected no more than 72 hours, ... before the aircraft’s initial scheduled departure time;" yet another example of CBSA ignorance of the rules.

Anyway, its clearly a good idea to file a flight plan with an initial departure time within the 72 hours as this bexomes your "initial scheduled departure time." I waited until Sunday for better weather and (this time) had no problems.

Please keep posting your experiences, and take any opportunity to push for the removal of the PCR test requirement. A rapid test is arguably better risk management anyway cuz who knows what can happen in 72 hours.
 
Thanks for your post Scott. I’ve heard a number of similar stories recently. Experiences are varied based seemingly on the whims of the individual Canadian customs officer.
 
Thanks for your post Scott. I’ve heard a number of similar stories recently. Experiences are varied based seemingly on the whims of the individual Canadian customs officer.

I’m driving north, going to cross into Canada at Sweetgrass MT. I got my Covid test from 406Pharm in Billings on Monday. A PCR test was done in 15 minutes, $75. I literally walked next door and got a cup of coffee and waited 5 minutes and had a very thorough test report document. I believe they have other locations in MT. Would be helpful to get so quick results if you are flying north.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I just cleared at Whitehorse on Tuesday 5 October, had eApis and ARRIVEcanada and a fresh 72 hr neg COVID test in (MY PAPERS). No problems just had to wait for customs ofcrs to show up. Cleared at Williston ND, and again no problems, just had the CBP ofcr travel from Minot. Hope this helps!
 
I’m driving north, going to cross into Canada at Sweetgrass MT. I got my Covid test from 406Pharm in Billings on Monday. A PCR test was done in 15 minutes, $75. I literally walked next door and got a cup of coffee and waited 5 minutes and had a very thorough test report document. I believe they have other locations in MT. Would be helpful to get so quick results if you are flying north.
.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Scooter Man, we need that in Fairbanks. I asked around and everyone said go to Capstone, you will the results in 24. I have still not gotten those results back. It cost me to wait after that Bering low came in and dumped snow in my area. So I had to pony up $345 at a local clinic and got the results in 5 minutes.
 
Scooter7779h thank you for posting this! Great Falls had no covid testing options today and I found your post and diverted to Billings after calling and confirming with 406Pharm. They did a great job in no time flat.
 
Update for the Spring

Canada has opened several more Airporst of Entry (AOE's) here is the list as of 6/1/2022.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/openpoe-temp-pdeouvert/air-aerien-eng.html

The big one for those of us in MN is the reopening of Fort Frances both at the airport and on the water there. It is also huge to have Piney back open as this is a US/Canada shared airport and makes life easier.

To cross you no longer need a negative test. You also can/should put your passengers on your ArriveCan application. You still need to be prepared for a random Covid test and also have an isolation plan (hotel etc) prepped and ready. My friends have crossed using the App and CanPass and have had no major snags so far. I will be crossing this weekend and will update with any new info.

Fish on......
 
Paul,

Thanks for the information.

Do you know if the dock is workable at Fort Frances? There is a lot of high water up there.

Now if they can reopen Sand Point soon, then more of us would be even happier.

MartyC
 
I have been back and forth across the INL/Fort Frances border several times in the last few weeks and except for a two hour wait north bound last saturday not to bad
You have to comply with the arrivecan app and if you fly the us makes you provide a negative test for rentry to the US
If you test positive you must quarentine for 14 days
 
I have two friends who cleared into the U.S. in the last week. Neither had to provide proof of any Covid test.
 
Paul,

Thanks for the information.

Do you know if the dock is workable at Fort Frances? There is a lot of high water up there.

Now if they can reopen Sand Point soon, then more of us would be even happier.

MartyC[/QUOT

Talked to a friend that went down to Ft Frances on Monday, he said the town docks were still unusable, water running through the buildings at the Sportman's water base.
 
TED WALT
You are correct BUT.........that only applies if you are driving across the border,,,crossing by land.
If you fly a commercial flight or a private flight you have to get a rapid antigin negative test and if you test pos you have to quarnnnntinnnneeee
 
Rainey and Lake of the Woods are still rising

Downpour yesterday backuped all floatplane ops in Kenora you need rubber boots for the floatplane dock
 
Sorry sir. Both reported crossings into the U.S. were by private plane. A Super Cub and at a different spot day & time a C-180.

I know that individual customs officers have wide discretion. Perhaps they made exceptions. But neither pilot nor pax had to provide proof of any Covid test.
 
Sounds like different customs offices have different interpretations of the rules.
Kinda like different FSDO's.
 
A couple recently informed me they cleared into Canada via Del Bonita, with no problems. Said the strip was in decent shape.

MTV
 
Couple notes on crossing last week at Fort Frances and return through I Falls.

We crossed on straight floats in a Beaver with 4 guys. CanPass and Arrive Can were used and hold times were minimal. I filed the night before which seems to help quite a bit on hold times though my arrival call was answered in less than 5 minutes. Makes me think staffing is back to decent levels. ArriveCan asks for vax cards but does not request a recent test. You scan the card and passport and all pax and pilot can go on one arrival in the app. Don't ferget to write down your Arrive Can app confirmation number as you need to give that on arrival.

Water on river was very high. They had it sandbagged on both sides and only usable docks are floaters. The Canada Customs dock was partially underwater near shore and current was very fast in river. I was gald we had a heavy plane as the current and wind were both strong. They were happy to see us at the bait store (remember no bait of any kind can cross now). Canpass release as I said was quick and easy.

Return was equally painless. Other than EAPIS filing malaise, it went quick. I am thinking of moving to Easy EAPIS app on my phone to make it easier and will note how well that works v the clunky manifest site the gov has. We gave our notice call on the Sat phone and we hit our time within a few minutes. They asked for N Number, decal number on the aircraft and pilot certificate number of PIC on the notification call. They didn't ask for the EAPIS filing number which always puzzles me. Customs was waiting on shore for us when we pulled up. Dock was decent but we had to park down current and wind to get gas and it was a struggle to get it out. The walkway to the shore was about 2-3 feet under so plan on getting wet or yelling your info across to the agent. Fuel was tough to get to the plane but showed up and we improvised and kept all dry. No vax proof was asked for online or in person by the US side of the house.

Camp is open and ready finally after a late spring. Looking forward to getting up there as soon as my floats get out of the paint shop. I applied for a new customs decal for my 180 and was able to print a confirmation of it with a decal number to carry in the plane the same day.
 
Last edited:
Helped sandbag in Ranier yesterday rising waters are slowing down most think things will start to get better
 
Cleared customs in CYLW - Kelowna BC today. Pretty painless, just called on landing and they cleared me in. Planning on CYZQ - Quesnel then Ft. St. John and Ft. Nelson for tomorrow. All reports seem to indicate fuel availability at those spots, but I guess I'll find out.

The only hiccup was that Seattle FSS gave me a 1210 squawk for border crossing when I called to open my flight plan, then when I called Seattle center for vfr flight following they gave me a different one and told me to cross the border on it. Then Pinecton radio wanted me back on 1210 when I crossed. Not sure how that's supposed to play out.
 
Thank you for the update. I do know “they” closely monitor the lower 48 border airspace. Never quite understood how that is important while Alaska border has no transponder requirements.
 
Quesnel was good for fuel, just pull up to the pump and self serve the usual Canadian ~ $3 per liter. Also had a nice pilot lounge building with restrooms and a few concessions.

On advice from friends I turned east at the "Peace Reach" lake from lake Williston instead of flying the trench on my first AK ferry, electing to spend the night in Ft. Nelson instead of MacKenzie or Prince George.

Ft. St. John was a bit of a hassle. The pseudo ATC radio operator seemed to have no idea where I could get 100LL and my attempts to contact the FBO by phone days prior were not answered. So I ended up parking near the airline terminal by the grass south of the airline apron because they have some kind of hangup about entering the airline operations area, yet they want you to park right by it. The FBO eventually sent a fuel truck but the guy overfilled the wings and spilled fuel all over the airplane then scratched the wing with the fuel nozzle. FBO had restrooms but nothing more. I wouldn't recommend it, especially outside of normal business hours.

Ft. Nelson had fuel as well, no tiedown space that I could find though.

Tomorrow just Watson Lake and Whitehorse on the itinerary. I was considering carcross since it's closer to the lodge we are staying at in Tagish, but was warned against it. Supposedly there is a chance of vandalism at Carcross airport? Probably just going to park the plane at Whitehorse.
 
Last edited:
Dawson Creek S of Fort St John has both grass “runway” and self serve.

Carcross is an EXCELLENT stop. Ed and Dorthy, long time residents at the strip, are SUPER friendly. Excellent food at both the coffee shop in the mornings and the Bistro afternoon and evenings. No issues camping at Carcross whatsoever. Good internet access. Info verified three weeks ago.

info on Prince George is on my website. As is info and detailed Trench landing spots!

All the details and info re Carcross, Dawson Creek, et cetera on http://Fly2ak.com
 
Back
Top