Thu, Aug 24, 2006
No Longer Need To Fly Through "Portal Countries"
Even as restrictions on
international commercial travel show no sign of being eased anytime
soon, things just got a little easier if you're planning to fly
across the US border in the near future in your own plane. On
Wednesday, the FAA issued NOTAM 6/7435, which sets security
procedures for international flights to and from the United
States.
In short, so long as your aircraft weighs less than 100,309 at
maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), all pilots need to do is be on an
active VFR or IFR flight plan, squawk an ATC-assigned transponder
code over a Mode C or Mode S transponder, maintain two-way radio
contact with US air traffic control, and comply with all US Customs
requirements.
And... that's it. There's no longer the need for a waiver to fly
to and from selected countries, nor are there any different rules
for some gateway, or 'portal' countries. And that means can pretty
much fly your Cessna to Bermuda, the same as you would fly it on a
cross-country trip to a distant $100 hamburger joint.
The weight restriction exempts all aircraft up to the size of a
Gulfstream 550 from any tougher restrictions. If you fly a heavy,
though, it does get a bit more complicated.
If you fly a Boeing BBJ (which carries a MTOW of 171,000 pounds)
or equivalent plane, for example, you must have an approved
Transportation Security Administration aviation security program,
or a TSA-approved waiver. to cross the border.
The National Business Aviation Association states existing
waivers to NOTAMs 2/5319 and 6/6101 remain in effect for the
duration specified in those waivers.
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