Section 7 Table of Contents Page
Section / 7Page / 1
Date / 07-01-04
Revision / Original
7.1 General 2
7.2 National Security 4
7.3 International Interception Procedures 6
7.4 Flight Plans 8
7.5 Flight Planning 28
7.6 Landing Right Airports 28
7.7 US Customs 29
7.8 Passport and Visa 30
7.9 Documentary Requirements for Clearance of Aircraft 30
7.10 Advance Report of Penetration of United States 33
7.11 Required Aircraft Documentation/Equipment 34
7.12 Currency Reporting Requirements 34
7.13 Charges for Inspection Services 35
7.14 Altimeter Settings 36
7.15 Communications 36
7.16 Flights into the Country of Mexico 37
7.1 GENERAL
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7.1.1 International flights will be conducted in accordance with procedures in this Manual
and comply with the regulations of any countries airspace that is entered, with applicable FAR's, part 61, 91 and 135, and with Company Aviation Services, LLC Operations Specifications.
7.1.2 Flight Crewmembers assigned to international flights shall complete the Company Aviation Services, LLC approved international operations training program.
7.1.3 Company Aviation Services, LLC will not operate an aircraft under FAR 135 rules in a foreign countries airspace unless it has been authorized to do so by said country.
7.1.4 The PIC shall consult the U.S. Department of State's Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets prior to flight.
7.1.5 Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings.
7.1.6 Public Announcements disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They include such information as the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the subject country, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. U.S. Department of State information is available on the World Wide Web at http://travel.state.gov/, or by dialing the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225.
7.1.7 The Center for Disease Control provides health and immunization information for international travel in Health Information for International Travel. Information on specific countries is available on CDC's hotline for international travelers at 1-877- 394-8747, fax 1-888-232-3299, or via their web site at http://www.cdc.gov.
7.1.8 Political situations throughout the world are subject to rapid change. The individual country requirements (passport, visa, health, and aircraft entry) are subject to change without notice.
7.1.9 The PIC is responsible to assure full compliance in advance for each country's requirements. This will ensure that all flights into, from or over foreign territories are carried out under the valid regulations of that territory. Particular attention should be given to the permissibility of night flights and services offered between sunset and sunrise. The actual hours during which customs, immigration, and other clearance services are available at the aerodromes of entry listed are not given in this manual. Availability of these services is subject to frequent change and must be verified prior to arrival. Particular care should also be given to providing advance notification of arrival to aerodrome officials when such notification is required to ensure the availability of services.
7.1 GENERAL, Continued…
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7.1.10 All countries require some form of advance notification of arrival. Advance notification requirements should always be interpreted to mean the number of working days prior to the flight. Most government offices processing the applications are closed on weekends and holidays. If a specified number of days or hours advance notice is not given, this should be interpreted to mean that requests should be sent far enough in advance to permit processing and a return reply. A means of prepayment should always be included with the request, particularly if commercial telegraphic messages are sent, otherwise the reply, if sent, will be via the least expensive mailing method. Pilots forwarding requests should keep and carry along a copy of the request sent, endorsed by the telegraph company, as proof that the request has been sent. This is especially important for individual countries which do not normally return request approval. Some countries observe the Moslem weekend, Thursday and Friday. Notification for Saturday morning flights in this instance must be sent prior to Thursday. Consult the public hours listing under the U.S. Embassy heading to determine the normal workweek for each country.
7.1.11 The PIC shall ensure that required entry documents are available for presentation upon arrival. Multiple copies may be needed of the certificate of ownership papers, general declarations, passenger and cargo manifests, proper licenses, qualifications and certificates of each crew member, log book, aircraft radio station license, etc.
7.1.12 Aircraft that will remain parked or within the territorial limits of a particular country for an extended period may become subject to import regulations and may be impounded. Every pilot should determine the number of days his plane may remain in each country of stop upon arrival.
7.1.13 Fees of various types and amounts are common in all foreign countries. Types, amounts, and method of payment should be determined before departure. Credit card purchases for servicing may or may not be acceptable.
7.1.14 Visa and passport information given in this section pertains to U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals and persons traveling under foreign passports should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for entry requirements for their particular country of origin. Availability, types, and time limitations on visas, tourist cards or other entry documents required should be verified with the nearest Embassy or Consulate prior to departure by all travelers. Some countries require that the traveler have a visa for the next country of entry before departure, as well as proof of vaccinations required by the next country of entry. Information of this type will also be available from the nearest Embassy or Consulate Office.
7.1.15 The PIC shall reference the International Flight Information Manual prior to an international flight for current rules and regulations (www.faa.gov/ats/aat/IFIM).
7.2 NATIONAL SECURITY
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7.2.1 All aircraft entering domestic U.S. airspace from points outside must provide for identification prior to entry. To facilitate early aircraft identification of all aircraft in the vicinity of U.S.-International airspace boundaries, Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) have been established.
7.2.2 ADIZ Zones:
7.2 NATIONAL SECURITY, Continued…
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7.2.3 Operational requirements for aircraft entering or flying within the ADIZ areas are as follows:
(a) Flight plan requirements. Except as specified in subparagraphs d and e, an instrument flight rules (IFR) or defense visual flight rules (DVFR) flight plan must be on file with the appropriate aeronautical facility as follows:
(1) Generally, for all operations that enter an ADIZ.
(2) For operations that will enter or exit the United States and which will operate into, within, or across the contiguous U.S. ADIZ, regardless of true airspeed.
(3) The flight plan must be filed before departure except for operations associated with the Alaskan ADIZ when the airport of departure has no facility for filing a flight plan; in which case, the flight plan may be filed immediately after takeoff or when within range of the aeronautical facility.
(b) Two-way radio requirements. For the majority of operations associated with an ADIZ, an operating two-way radio is required. See 14 CFR Part 99.1 for exceptions.
(c) Transponder requirements. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each aircraft conducting operations into, within, or across the Contiguous U.S. ADIZ must be equipped with an operable radar beacon transponder having altitude reporting capability (Mode C), and that transponder must be turned on and set to reply on the appropriate code or as assigned by ATC.
(d) Position reporting requirements.
(1) For IFR flight, normal IFR position reporting.
(2) For DVFR flights, the estimated time of ADIZ penetration must be filed with the aeronautical facility at least 15 minutes prior to penetration except for flight in the Alaskan ADIZ; in which case, report prior to penetration.
(e) Aircraft position tolerances:
(1) Over land, the tolerance is within plus or minus 5 minutes from the estimated time over a reporting point or point of penetration and within 10 NM from the centerline of an intended track over an estimated reporting point or penetration point.
(2) Over water, the tolerance is plus or minus 5 minutes from the estimated time over a reporting point or point of penetration and within 20 NM from from the centerline of the intended track over an estimated reporting point or point of penetration (to include the Aleution Islands).
7.3 INTERNATIONAL INTERCEPTION PROCEDURES
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7.3.1 There are occasions when interceptor pilots are required to transmit instructions to pilots of intercepted aircraft. When radio communications are not available, visual signals are used.
7.3.2 Interceptor pilots will approach the aircraft to be intercepted from astern, employing the Interception Pattern for Identification of Transport Aircraft. A distance of at least 500 feet shall be maintained between aircraft exchanging signals. Intercepted aircraft, regardless of ATC clearance, shall follow the instructions given by the interceptor aircraft and shall attempt to notify the appropriate ATC unit. Additionally, the pilot of the intercepted aircraft shall attempt radio contact with the interceptor aircraft on 121.5 MHz, giving aircraft identity, flight purpose and position.
7.3.3 Intercepting Signals: Signals initiated by intercepting aircraft and responses by intercepted aircraft (as set forth in ICAO Annex 2-Appendix A, 2.1)
INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals / Meaning / INTERCEPTED Aircraft Responds / MeaningDAY-Rocking wings from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left, on to the desired heading.
NIGHT-Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals.
NOTE 1-Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the intercepting aircraft to take up a position slightly above and ahead of, and to the right of, the intercepted aircraft and to make the subsequent turn to the right.
NOTE 2-If the intercepted aircraft is not able to keep pace with the intercepting aircraft, the latter is expected to fly a series of race-track patterns and to rock its wings each time it passes the intercepted aircraft. / You have been intercepted. Follow me. / HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following. / Understood, will comply.
7.3 INTERNATIONAL INTERCEPTION PROCEDURES, Continued…
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7.3.3 Intercepting Signals, Continued…
INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals / Meaning / INTERCEPTED Aircraft Responds / MeaningDAY or NIGHT-An abrupt break-away maneuver from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft. / You may proceed. / HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Rocking aircraft. / Understood, will comply.
DAY-Circling aerodrome, lowering landing gear and overflying runway in direction of landing or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopter landing area.
NIGHT-Same and, in addition, showing steady landing lights. / Land at this aerodrome. / HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Following the intercepting aircraft and proceeding to land, showing a steady landing light (if carried). / Understood, will comply.
AEROPLANES:
DAY-Raising landing gear while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 300m (1,000 ft) but not exceeding 600m (2,000 ft) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome.
NIGHT-Flashing landing lights while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 300m (1,000 ft) but not exceeding 600m (2,000 ft) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available. / Aerodrome you have designated is inadequate. / DAY or NIGHT-If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the intercepting aircraft to an alternate aerodrome, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.
If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. / Understood, follow me.
Understood, you may proceed.
AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT-Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights. / Cannot comply. / DAY or NIGHT-Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. / Understood.
AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT-Irregular flashing of all available lights.
HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Irregular flashing of all available lights. / In distress. / DAY or NIGHT-Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. / Understood
7.4 FLIGHT PLANS
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7.4.1 Flight plans are required for all flights into international and foreign airspace. The standard flight plan form is the FAA Form 7233-4, available at most U.S. FSSs. Flight plans must be transmitted to and should be received by ATC authorities in each ATC Region to be entered at least 2 hours prior to entry, unless otherwise stated in the various country requirements.
7.4.2 When leaving or entering the United States the appropriate FSS should be contacted for flight plan filling. When transitioning one foreign location to another an international flight plan shall be used and filed with the appropriate foreign agency.
7.4.3 The flight plan serves both the purpose of providing advance notice of foreign airspace penetration and the purpose of providing effective ATC procedures. For some foreign states, the flight plan is the only advance notice required; for others, it serves as a check against previously granted permission to enter national airspace (see aircraft entry requirements for the individual countries and time limitations for advance flight plan filing). Acceptance of a flight plan and the issuance of a flight clearance by a foreign ATC unit does not constitute official approval for airspace penetration if prior permission for airspace penetration is required from civil aviation authorities and such permission has not been previously secured. Airspace violations arising in these instances are pursued, and inflight interception may result.