Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:51 am
#693156
Massena is just across the Canada / St Lawrence border almost opposite Cornwall (in Canada) and as such, it is a really good place to clear US customs if inbound from Canadian airfields, like Kingston, Ottawa or Montreal.
Massena plate
At Massena, customs and homeland security expect you to pull up at the main terminal building halfway along runway 05/23 and will meet you there. Note that this building is normally deserted and locked and is of no use to you otherwise as all of the fuel and briefing facilities are at the cluster of buildings and hangars located at the threshold of runway 09.
Main terminal, normally deserted and locked
Inbound and outbound, you would normally be speaking to Boston Center on 135.25. Once in sight of the airfield, give position calls on the CTAF of 123.0.
The airfield is easy to fund and is a couple of miles south east of the town center. It is easy to locate as it is between two rivers.
Massena - On high final for 05
It is the usual ‘self-announce’ of positions and decide your own runway. Unless clearing customs, you can taxi across to the GA fuel and briefing rooms at the threshold of runway 09.
Fuel station near threshold for 09
Fuel is self-service and fairly straightforward with a credit card (I looked helpless and someone appeared and helped out). Briefing is in an otherwise deserted room in one of the hangars. There is internet access, but more importantly, a telephone for calls to the wonderful 1-800-WX BRIEF, where you can get and do everything!
Customs and Homeland Security
Note that the US border crossing procedure is VERY fussy and prescribed. Amongst other things, you need to call in advance and fax a form through, arrive within a stated 15 minute slot (hence you will typically want to clear US customs close to the US border) and if you are British, you need a visa to fly as a private pilot and enter the US.
If you do clear US customs using Massena, I suspect they WILL come out to the airfield and interview you (they did with us). If you arrive ahead of the started time, DO NOT exit your aircraft until and unless US Customs officials beckon you to do so. If no one has arrived by the stated time, only then can you get out, but immediately call the US Customs number and see if they are coming out to you and if not, get verbal clearance and take and record the US Customs officials badge number.
Be prepared for a frosty reception and lots of really stupid, closed questions (Is this your plane? How long have you know each other? What is the nature of your relationship? Do you have a pilots licence? Do you know what the president’s dog is called – OK, I made the last one up, but you get the idea!). Just answer the questions, don’t be tempted to embellish or be funny!
Massena plate
At Massena, customs and homeland security expect you to pull up at the main terminal building halfway along runway 05/23 and will meet you there. Note that this building is normally deserted and locked and is of no use to you otherwise as all of the fuel and briefing facilities are at the cluster of buildings and hangars located at the threshold of runway 09.
Main terminal, normally deserted and locked
Inbound and outbound, you would normally be speaking to Boston Center on 135.25. Once in sight of the airfield, give position calls on the CTAF of 123.0.
The airfield is easy to fund and is a couple of miles south east of the town center. It is easy to locate as it is between two rivers.
Massena - On high final for 05
It is the usual ‘self-announce’ of positions and decide your own runway. Unless clearing customs, you can taxi across to the GA fuel and briefing rooms at the threshold of runway 09.
Fuel station near threshold for 09
Fuel is self-service and fairly straightforward with a credit card (I looked helpless and someone appeared and helped out). Briefing is in an otherwise deserted room in one of the hangars. There is internet access, but more importantly, a telephone for calls to the wonderful 1-800-WX BRIEF, where you can get and do everything!
Customs and Homeland Security
Note that the US border crossing procedure is VERY fussy and prescribed. Amongst other things, you need to call in advance and fax a form through, arrive within a stated 15 minute slot (hence you will typically want to clear US customs close to the US border) and if you are British, you need a visa to fly as a private pilot and enter the US.
If you do clear US customs using Massena, I suspect they WILL come out to the airfield and interview you (they did with us). If you arrive ahead of the started time, DO NOT exit your aircraft until and unless US Customs officials beckon you to do so. If no one has arrived by the stated time, only then can you get out, but immediately call the US Customs number and see if they are coming out to you and if not, get verbal clearance and take and record the US Customs officials badge number.
Be prepared for a frosty reception and lots of really stupid, closed questions (Is this your plane? How long have you know each other? What is the nature of your relationship? Do you have a pilots licence? Do you know what the president’s dog is called – OK, I made the last one up, but you get the idea!). Just answer the questions, don’t be tempted to embellish or be funny!
Last edited by Steve H on Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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