Flying to EAA AirVenture 2024

^{Written by: George Farrington, Director, External Relations, COPA}

^{Photos courtesy of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)}

Whether you’re a first-timer or an AirVenture pro, we have gathered some useful information for flying into the US for this year’s event. It covers: 

1. Our flying in the US checklist 

2. Reminders on eAPIS 

3. Links to a customs decal 

4. Notes on required equipment for flying in the US 

5. Required travel documents 

6. Key EAA AirVenture pilot resources (e.g., NOTAMs) 

7. Our returning to Canada checklist 

Disclaimer: The information provided – which is subject to change and not an extensive list – should be supplemented with your own research and be used as an overview to the flight planning process.  

Flying to the US Checklist: 

1. Purchase Customs Decal (See further details below.) 
2. Select Port of Entry Airport here. Plan your trip to your airport of entry and the planned ETA.  Contrary to popular belief you are not required to stop at the first available airport when crossing into the US from Canada. 
3. eAPIS filed with confirmation email received. You are still required to call the local CBP office and receive permission to land. You must file the eAPIS at least 2 hours in advance of your departure time.  If you wait until the day of departure to file the eAPIS and call the CBP office, DO NOT depart prior to two hours of filing the EAPIS. (More details on eAPIS below). 
4. Call CBP office and receive permission to land and agree to the ETA and meeting location (it is recommended to ask the CBP Officer you receive permission from their initials as proof you received the PPR).  This is your initial call.  
5. Flight Plan filed with Canadian FIC. (VFR, IFR or Defence VFR Flight Plan required). A flight plan is required to cross the border.  Flight following is not a suitable alternative for cross border flights. 
6. Call 1-800 WXBRIEF in the US or 1-866 WXBRIEF in Canada for a weather briefing. 
7. Depart Canadian airport and open flight plan with Canadian FIC. 
8. Arrive at the agreed to CBP meeting place +/- 15 minutes from your agreed ETA.  If the ETA changes call the CBP office before departure and update them on the revised ETA.   
   
   Pro Tip:  This can be done from a cell phone in the aircraft just before departure. 
   Pro Tip: When filing your flight plan try and choose an alternate that also has CBP services in case you need to divert. 
   
   It may be possible to update your ETA in flight with FSS however this cannot be relied upon. When making this call with the CBP Agent, clarify your expectations if you are not confident you will arrive on time. 
9. After landing, taxi to the agreed to CBP meeting place, shut down the aircraft, and wait in the aircraft until you have received permission from the attending CBP agent to exit.  Have your passport and pilots license (and medical page) ready for inspection.  Some CBP Ports of Entry will require the US Customs and Immigration Form 6059B completed in advance of your arrival (found here).  Confirm if this form is required with the CBP agent when making your initial call. 
10. Once you have cleared US customs you are free to travel to any other airport in the US. 
11. See “Returning to Canada Checklist” for tips on returning home.

eAPIS

eAIPS is used to produce a flight manifest for your aircraft, the crew, passengers onboard, and the trip you will be making into and out of the US. eAPIS is used for both entry and exiting the US.  

To use eAPIS go to this page, and select enroll. Once you have received your account information after enrollment, input all information for all crew and passengers including passport details, addresses and dates of birth along with the address you will be staying while in the US. 

After online registration, allow up to 5 days for approval, at which point an ID number will be provided to be used each time an eAPIS manifest is filed. 

Customs Decal

To save time with the customs process entering the US, a customs decal can be purchased for your aircraft. The price is $34.83 USD annually and will need to be renewed each year.     

To receive your decal, register here, register your aircraft and your decal. Once the decal arrives attach it near the entrance to your aircraft. The decal can be purchased on arrival to the US, however ordering in advance will save time and the decal will usually arrive in a few days. 

Equipment

The following equipment is required for flights into the US: 

• Appropriate Charts, Canada Flight Supplement, FAA Airport/Facility Directory, AIM   
• Mode C Transponder (For flight in most controlled airspace) 
• Two-way radio 
• ELT 121.5 MHz or 406MHz   
• Survival Equipment that is appropriate for the terrain and the season.  
• A fire extinguisher, mandatory in Canada  
• ADS-B Out (For flying in most controlled and upper-level airspace, see guide here) 

Non-radio and Mode C Transponder Aircraft  

For aircraft not equipped with a two-way radio or a Mode C transponder entering the US and looking to fly in most controlled airspace, a waiver is required. A waiver can be applied for here. An account is required to apply for the waiver which can take up to 5 days for approval, with the waiver itself requiring 7 additional days for approval.  

Non-ADS-B Equipped Aircraft  

For aircraft that are looking to fly into most controlled and upper-level airspace (see guide) and are equipped with a Mode C transponder but not ADS-B Out, the FAA’s ADS-B Deviation Authorization Pre-flight Tool, or ADAPT, can be used to submit an authorisation request for approval for non-ADS-B aircraft to operate in ADS-B mandatory airspace. This can be accessed here, with further information found here. Submit your authorization request no more than 24 hours and no less than one hour before your intended departure time. 

Documentation

For flights into the US, you will need to carry the following documents. Please note that all the documentation listed for the pilot, the crew, and all passengers, should be current and original with no copies.  

• Pilot Document/Licence/Certificate   
• Medical Certificate (CAT 4 not recognised in US).  
• Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate (ROC-A)  
• Passport 
• Visa Document if required. 
• If applicable, a notarized letter authorizing children to travel from non-present parent or parents.   
• If the aircraft is registered to another person or company, it is recommended you carry a notarized letter authorizing the use of the aircraft. 
• US Customs and Immigration 6059B form (found here). Confirm with your CBP Agent whether this is required before your departure. 

Along with personal documentation, you will be required to carry the following for your aircraft: 

• Registration Certificate (temporary certificate not acceptable)   
• Airworthiness Certificate   
• Operating limitations including the Standardized Validation of a Special Airworthiness Certificate (for operation in Canada), or any Special Flight Authorizations (for operation in US)  
• Aircraft Weight and Balance Information  
• Radio Station License  
• Proof of Liability Insurance   
• TSA waiver if not equipped with Mode C Transponder or Two Way Radio. ADAPT if equipped with Mode C transponder but no ADS-B Out. 
• If additional fuel tanks have been added in passenger seat or baggage compartment, a FAA Form 337 or STC is required.   
• U.S. Customs Service Decal (See Above)  

At Oshkosh

For arrival into Oshkosh, a study of the 2024 Notice will be needed for familiarisation with the arrival, taxiing, parking, and departure procedures. The 2024 Notice can be found here, and further details on the event, parking and other critical information and can be found here.  

Returning to Canada Checklist

Note: An excellent overview of the process for flying back into Canada can be found in Transport Canada publication TP15048, that can be found here. This document contains the most up to date information on flying into Canada.  

1. File eAPIS. If not departing from an exit airport, file closest airport of exit. 
2. Report planned ETA to CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) between 2 and 48 hours before arrival. If ETA changes beyond +/- 15 minutes, call to update. Call CANPASS on ground in aircraft. If calling again press 3 to avoid holding. 
3. Ensure receipt of eAPIS confirmation email. 
4. File Flight Plan with US FIC, call 1-800-WXBRIEF for weather briefing. 
5. Open flight plan, ensuring border crossing time is included. 
6. Fly direct to Airport of Entry in Canada. 
7. On landing call 1-888-226-7277 before exiting aircraft, stating arrival. If no CBSA agent arrives, wait until time agreed, call CANPASS number and receive clearance number. Make note of clearance number and initials or badge number of CBSA agent that you spoke to for future reference. 
8. Ensure flight plan is closed.