Flying across the border with Light Sport

[Frank Giger]

Hunter, Beaver above holds the key to the "when."

When Canada adopts the twin of the Sport Pilot license, a bilateral agreement would be quickly agreed on.

I suspect that on the Canadian side they don't want to admit Sport Pilots (and those flying under Sport Pilot rules) as that would be an admission that it is a viable option for pilots - effectively establishing domestic policy by the means of international diplomacy.

Plus this would be an issue ripe for petty political advantage, particularly in elections where there is little to differentiate parties or candidates. "So-and-so stands for loosening aviation safety to the danger of the regular citizen who can scarce afford the luxury and expense of owning an aircraft, many of which cost well over a million dollars. Vote for us and we won't abandon the duty of the government to keep you, and our Candian skies, safe."

I'm being cynical, of course.

It would be interesting to know how the bilateral agreement with the Bahamas was achieved.

[Dana]

As I understand it, the problem is that Transport Canada is maintaining the IACO requirement of each license or permit must have a valid medical to fly in Canadian airspace. Our own ultralight permit requires a medical, even if it is a self declared medical.

Looked at that way, a US SP requires a self declared medical (as well as a state issued drivers license).

It would be interesting to know how the bilateral agreement with the Bahamas was achieved.

I suspect that can be summed up in two words: "tourism dollars."

-Dana

The lion and the lamb may lie down together, but the lamb won't get much sleep.

[Eric Witherspoon]

I suspect that can be summed up in two words: "tourism dollars."

And from the situations being described by the originator of this thread, I'd expect that same reason (Americans choosing not to visit cabins in Canada, not buy gas for their airplanes there, and generally not spending any of the money people will spend on vacations) will eventually become big enough for Canada to take action. Or not. The Bahamas are much more tourist-driven.

[Floatsflyer]

And from the situations being described by the originator of this thread, I'd expect that same reason (Americans choosing not to visit cabins in Canada, not buy gas for their airplanes there, and generally not spending any of the money people will spend on vacations) will eventually become big enough for Canada to take action. Or not.

I'm saying NOT. The number of non-medical SP's or those flying LS aircraft under SPL rules wanting to fly into Canada is so minute as to not even register on the lost tourism dollars scale. So that's not an economic factor that's going to influence any possible rule change.

It's certainly not incumbent upon Transport Canada to change any rules to a category of licensing that doesn't exist in the country in the first place. As well, The LSA does not exist as a category of aircraft. It's therefore also difficult to import and register any LSA in Canada and manufacturers are losing a good sized market as a result(as of the latest 2008 figures, there are 70,854 Canadian pilot licences and permits held making Canada the 2nd largest population of pilots in the world). However, I and some others have found an obscure licensing reg that could bring one in and a Transport Canada official has confirmed this could work. Furthermore, Transport Canada has let it be known that considering LSA is not even on the horizon as they believe that the RPP and Advanced Ultralight licence already covers most of what LSA sport pilot is all about.

If non-medicaled U.S. LS pilots want to foster a Canadian rule change re medicals then it is incumbent upon you to bring it to the attention of EAA, AOPA or your appropriate elected officials to lobby the FAA to get a bilateral agreement/exemption with Transport Canada.

I also suspect there is another major issue that is likely just as much a barrier to both US non-medical and medicaled pilots wanting to fly to Canada. US citizens require a Passport to fly TO Canada. YOU DON'T NEED A PASSPORT TO ENTER CANADA BUT YOU SURE AS HELL NEED ONE TO FLY BACK INTO THE U.S. You can thank Bush Jr. and Homeland Security for that!(BTW, did you know that Bush Jr. had never possessed a passport when he became president, but I digress). In fact, almost 75% of US citizens do not have a passport(they don't travel outside of their own counties, let alone the country) because they think its a hassle to get one but it isn't. Historically, Canadians are big travellers so having a passport is of second nature.

I'd like to run a straw poll here. How many of you currently have a valid U.S.Passport??

[steveinindy]

How many of you currently have a valid U.S.Passport??

Count me as a 'yes'.

[rosiejerryrosie]

My diplomatic passport ran out sometme in 71 or 72. Never bothered to get another one.

[WWhunter]

Ok guys, this thread took a turn somewhere along the line and developed into a discussion about Canada's laws. It is NOT Canada that is the problem it is our good ol US of A!!! I could get into Canada easily...it is returning home wherein the problem lies. HS will not allow me to come back into the country (that I originated from) without a medical. Let me restate this...It is OUR government and its rediculous laws that would prevent me from flying to Canada and back.
Oh, I have a passport.

[Check 6]

HS will not allow me to come back into the country (that I originated from) without a medical. Let me restate this...It is OUR government and its rediculous laws that would prevent me from flying to Canada and back.
Oh, I have a passport.

You can fly to/from the Bahamas without a medical in an LSA. Is returning from Canada different?

Passport - yes, since at least 1975.

[EDGEFLY]

Reckful,What are the exact requirements for a Canadian RPP ? If they don't include a medical or Canadian citizenship, your supposition that having each would solve this problem for Sport Pilot Licesees and PPL's flying under the Sport Pilot rules may be true. Obviously, one would have to arrange to get an RPP but, if it had a lifetime usefulness like a PPL, the effort might be worthwhile.

[steveinindy]

HS will not allow me to come back into the country (that I originated from) without a medical. Let me restate this...It is OUR government and its rediculous laws that would prevent me from flying to Canada and back

The US is one of only a couple of countries that allow folks to fly what might be considered "real" airplanes without a medical. The ICAO standards are the issue here and most countries- including Canada- abide by them. Also, your argument falls apart given the ability to fly to and from the Bahamas without a medical as someone else pointed out. If you had to have a medical to get back in, then why is that allowed?