No Longer Need To Fly Through "Portal Countries"

Even as restrictions on international commercial travel show no sign of being eased anytime soon, things just got a little easier if you're planning to fly across the US border in the near future in your own plane. On Wednesday, the FAA issued NOTAM 6/7435, which sets security procedures for international flights to and from the United States.

In short, so long as your aircraft weighs less than 100,309 at maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), all pilots need to do is be on an active VFR or IFR flight plan, squawk an ATC-assigned transponder code over a Mode C or Mode S transponder, maintain two-way radio contact with US air traffic control, and comply with all US Customs requirements.

And... that's it. There's no longer the need for a waiver to fly to and from selected countries, nor are there any different rules for some gateway, or 'portal' countries. And that means can pretty much fly your Cessna to Bermuda, the same as you would fly it on a cross-country trip to a distant $100 hamburger joint.

The weight restriction exempts all aircraft up to the size of a Gulfstream 550 from any tougher restrictions. If you fly a heavy, though, it does get a bit more complicated.

If you fly a Boeing BBJ (which carries a MTOW of 171,000 pounds) or equivalent plane, for example, you must have an approved Transportation Security Administration aviation security program, or a TSA-approved waiver. to cross the border.

The National Business Aviation Association states existing waivers to NOTAMs 2/5319 and 6/6101 remain in effect for the duration specified in those waivers.

FMI: Read The Full NOTAM