Page 6 - Feb23T

International Flying
The latest in U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations.
by Rick Gardner
Over the years, Caribbean Sky Tours (CST) has worked closely with AOPA, EAA and NBAA, as well as with
different agencies in the countries where we provide services. As a result, we have been contacted by pilots who have run afoul of U.S. or foreign regu- lations who were looking for guidance and assistance on how to resolve the dilemma they faced. Just as U.S. avia- tion regulations change and evolve, so do those of foreign countries.
We have been fortunate to build a close working relationship with the leadership within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and we meet
4 • TWIN & TURBINE / February 2023
regularly with CBP Headquarters to review and collaborate on General Aviation issues. Although I was not a proponent of APIS, I am eternally grateful that CBP chose the great peo- ple they did to oversee this program. The group has been working hard be- hind the scenes to improve procedures for general aviation. The following are some of the most common topics regarding CBP that private aircraft operators need to be aware of.
South: CBP differentiates between aircraft arriving from places “south” of the United States versus other places. Basically, every country in the Western Hemisphere, with the
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CST FLIGHT SERVICES
exception of Canada and Bermuda, is considered “south.” When arriving from one of these countries “south” of the USA, we must make our first landing at one of 32 CBP “Designated” airports closest to where we cross the USA/Mexico border or the USA coast- line unless we have first obtained a Border Overf light Exemption (BOE). Please note that NOT ALL CBP airports in Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, or the USA/Mexico border are “Designated” airports. However, a few exceptions exist that pilots should also be aware of.
Marathon, FL. While not on the list of Designated Airports, Marathon,