U.S. has
tightened cross-border aircraft security.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a NOTAM on
Jan. 1 that significantly changes cross-border operations for Canadian
aircraft.
The NOTAM appears to require the operator of any Canadian aircraft
to obtain a waiver from the FAA to fly in U.S. airspace.
Before the NOTAM was issued, Canadian aircraft were allowed
to transit U.S. airspace without notifying U.S. Customs or security authorities
as long as their destination was another Canadian airport.
There are numerous shortcuts across U.S. airspace used by
Canadian pilots to get from one domestic airport to another and this NOTAM
appears to add a layer of bureaucracy to those flights. Pilots who ignore the
directive could find an F-16 or Blackhawk helicopter on their wing, according
to the NOTAM.
The measure was apparently imposed without consultation and
it seemed to take authorities on this side of the border by surprise.
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association has put the
following notice on its Web site.
“Urgent to all Canadian pilots as of January 1st, 2016, U.S.
NOTAM FDC 5/6289, requiring a U.S. TSA approval for “all” flights through U.S.
airspace. COPA is currently working with authorities to resolve this issue.”
COPA Flight 6
Email: copaflight6@gmail.com
Blog: copaflight6.blogspot.ca
