International

A journey across the Blue Spruce Routes to Europe.

  • I was two months into my new job, just upgraded to the left seat of a PC-12, and enjoying building and tinkering with a small flight department of my own. The boss and I were talking in the hangar before a flight one day and he dropped a bomb on me: we’re flying to Europe in June.

    Are you serious? At first, I wasn’t sure if it was a pipe dream or a mission. Well, it was a mission, and the next four months preparing for the trip stretched me more as a pilot than anything else before.

    At the time, I had ZERO international operational experience—not Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, nothing. And my first trip would be crossing the Atlantic and flying around Europe. I was completely unqualified and didn’t even know where to start to get ready for this adventure.

    This guide is born out of that experience. Starting from ground zero and leading you on the path to make a successful trip from the US, across the Blue Spruce routes, appropriate tech stops, and into Europe.

    The following articles walk you through the necessary paperwork, required equipment, relevant resources, and beyond. While they are based on my experience completing several successful crossings in light aircraft, the information extends to other international operations.

    The guide is under continual development, and new content is added regularly. I appreciate your patience.

Paperwork

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Aircraft Documentation
Aircraft Documentation

Check your ARROW docs, note the extra R, get a CBP decal, and maintenance log release.

Pilot Documentation
Pilot Documentation

You need your pilot license, medical, FCC restricted radio operator license, and passport to fly internationally. Depending on your operation and where you operate, you may need a crew badge, letters from your company, visas, and permits.

Journey Log
Journey Log

Aircraft engaged in international air navigation need a journey log. Get a customized and free Journey Log here.

Noise Certificate
Noise Certificate

All aircraft need a noise certificate or an exemption document when operating internationally. Complete one here.

Insurance
Insurance

Before taking that international trip, check your insurance policy for some highlights: liability limits, geographic limits, expiration dates, pilot training requirements, open pilot policy, and policy exemptions.

Equipment

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Navigation Data
Navigation Data

Up-to-date navigation data and charts are a must wherever you fly. This includes data onboard aircraft avionics and electronic flight bags. Between Jeppesen and ForeFlight, you can obtain the necessary coverage; substitute Garmin as required.

Aircraft Equipment
Aircraft Equipment

For a Part 91 Atlantic crossing to Europe, at a bare minimum, you need one long-range navigation unit (LRNU, aka GPS), short-range navigation equipment (VOR, DME, ADF), VHF radio with 8.33 spacing and immunity, a Mode S transponder and 1090 ES ADS-B out installed in the aircraft. An altimeter capable of toggling from inHg to hPa is not required but would be helpful.

ICAO Equipment Codes
ICAO Equipment Codes

A Part 91 operation equipped with WAAS GPS, ILS, VOR, VHF Comms, ADS-B Out, and no LOAs will likely have the following equipment codes (ForeFlight Format)…

Survival Equipment
Survival Equipment

The US, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Europe require a long list of survival equipment for single-engine aircraft. Beyond regulation, consider Fire Containment Bags and survival training courses.

North Atlantic Training

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ICAO Documents
ICAO Documents

ICAO produces a lot of information about international operations. Start with ICAO Annex 2 and Annex 6 Part Two.

AIPs
AIPs

ICAO member states issue Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) to inform foreign operators how to fly in their territories legally. When researching a new country to fly into, the sections of high priority are…

North Atlantic Overview
North Atlantic Overview

Crossing the Atlantic along the Blue Spruce Routes is best accomplished between FL200 and FL280. Below FL200, you start to lose VHF communication and radar coverage. At FL290 and above, additional navigation, communication, and surveillance equipment requirements and authorizations (LOAs) are needed to operate legally. 

Blue Spruce Routes
Blue Spruce Routes

The Blue Spruce routes are an option for all aircraft - old, new, broken, or small. When you need an exemption, Blue Spruce it.

NAT Operations
NAT Operations

The North Atlantic Airspace has specific documentation and record-keeping requirements. Procedural differences for both normal and contingency operations make a NAT crossing unique from domestic operations. NAT Doc 007 is the primary source of information. Here is a summarized guide.

Master Document
Master Document

A Master Document is a detailed flight plan and a working record of your flight. It is required when crossing the NAT, verifies you're on track and burn, provides a backup dead-reckoning means of navigation, and is your primary evidence for showing an inquisitive inspector you know what you're doing over the ocean.

Europe

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Customs
Customs

Once upon a time, all you needed was an ICAO flight plan and a general declaration. Now, advance notification with crew and passenger information is standard, but as you travel across the pond and into Europe, expect varied processes. Like the US, some countries have implemented their version of eAPIS, and more are in the works.