I have UK & EASA PPL's (plus IRR) - plus an FAA piggyback PPL - which I haven't used for some years. How do I ensure it is still valid / reactivate it?
Once you leave the UK your EASA stuff will not mean much (legally) - to get your 61.75 active take a BFR with an FAA instructor. Assume it is the plastic credit card type?
Fuel prices and availability on route - (in June / July)
Should be no problem right up to Iqaluit - after that you need to check on the day. Also worth checking on Iqaluit, they shouldn't run out, but as it is shipped in…Fuel is not cheap.
Survival suits - do we need ones that are approved by Canada or USA ??
Don't think so - get the best you can that you can wear all of the time, some of the big orange alien suits don't look that practical.
Lifejackets
PLB
ELT
Get these too
what is the Necessary paperwork for customs
You will need to call Canada before you leave Sondrestrom (or wherever it is you are laving Greenland from)
For the US you need the visas, you need to go in via a customs airport (one that can handle people with visas, not all can), you will need to file an eAPIS online manifest and you should play it safe and call ahead to make sure it's arrived and is in order. More info here
https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/ You should also get a customs decal - you can do that online here
https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/Finding somewhere who can do us a 50 hr check and an oil change on the way home.
Get that done in the US - the Cirrus owner can find a good shop by asking on COPA (Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association)
Hotels near airports that we can book but cancel without charge
We didn't book any in advance, it all worked out OK. That won't work quite so easily for Oshkosh though.
Possible car hire at Oshkosh
Hertz in the main terminal or via the FBO
One more thing, the Cirrus won't like the rough grass taxi that you may have to endure on the ground at Osh. There's a Cirrus to Osh thing that has arranged hard parking at the FBO (I think) - details from COPA