We're thinking of doing a Canada vacation next year and have considered flying commercially or driving. My wife likes the idea of flying our XL on this adventure if we can get a couple of other like minded individuals to participate.

Spokane or Coeur d'Alene would be the departure point and the tentative date would be September 5th, just after Labor Day. First stop Calgary. Rent cars, explore a few days and then ...

If necessary, have separate groups for XL/650's and 701/750's to account for speed. And it wouldn't be limited to ZAC aircraft.

I've contacted, via email, Arlo Speer to get the current requirements for flying into Canada.

Acquiring a Standard Validation appears to be fairly easy, just download the form and carry a copy in the airplane. Unfortunately, you are required to have a valid Third Class Medical or better to fly in Canada. Not a problem for me since I've worked to keep mine after my heart surgery. It's good not to have limitations.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Aircraft such as Experimental, LSA, SLSA and ELSA most likely hold a SPECIAL airworthiness certificate (as opposed to an airworthiness certificate that conforms to Article 31 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation).  As such, the special airworthiness certificate is not valid for operations outside of the US, unless it is specifically validated for use elsewhere.  Information about obtaining a Standardized Validation of your special airworthiness certificate for operations in Canada is available on our website at:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/maintenance-aarpe-r...

As is the case with the airworthiness documents for aircraft, pilots must possess a licence that conforms to ICAO standards.  Part of the conformity relates to the requirements for the licence or certificate itself and part of the conformity relates to internationally-accepted medical requirements.  US Private, Commercial or Airline Transport pilot certificates (with the applicable medical) can be used to serve as pilot-in-command of US-registered aircraft in Canada; US recreational pilot certificates and sport pilot certificates afford no privileges outside of the US unless they are specifically validated for use elsewhere.   At the present time, there is no mechanism for validating the US sport pilot certificate or recreational pilot certificate for use in Canada.  US Private, Commercial or Airline Transport pilot certificates must be accompanied by a medical certificate, class 1, 2 or 3 as applicable to the certificate.

A 121.5 MHz ELT will satisfy the requirements of CAR 605.38

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part6-605-2438.h...

Although the radios are mounted within an aircraft, the regulations relating to the operation of radios are the responsibility of Industry Canada and not Transport Canada.  This site might help you in locating the correct office – unfortunately, I can’t direct you any more closely to the correct office in that department.

I hope this information helps.

jake