Diversion to a non Customs Airfield - Itl Ops
Diversion to a non Customs Airfield - Itl Ops
Talking to a mate today about GA flights round the world. A question come up, so we dived into the regs to find the answer but couldnt.
If you are coming back to Oz from an international flight, GA so not airline, and the wx becomes crappy, you decide to get on the ground for some fuel but its not an international port. is it an offence?
Typical situation would be NZ to Syd. In a smallish prop aircraft you wouldnt have the range to divert to another international port of entry, I guess melb or maybe Newcastle. So you decide you are getting it on the ground at Wollongong. What would the implications be?
If you are coming back to Oz from an international flight, GA so not airline, and the wx becomes crappy, you decide to get on the ground for some fuel but its not an international port. is it an offence?
Typical situation would be NZ to Syd. In a smallish prop aircraft you wouldnt have the range to divert to another international port of entry, I guess melb or maybe Newcastle. So you decide you are getting it on the ground at Wollongong. What would the implications be?
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Purely from memory...no. But you need to advise the border agencies ASAP, either through Airservices or phone. And you need to wait for them if they decide they want to meet your flight.
Other posters may have a better handle on the current regs.
I believe it's covered (at least in part, nothwithstanding Immigration / Quarantine requirements) by s64 of the Customs Act which is a bit of a horror
, but the first clause is:
64 Impending arrival report
(1) This section applies to a ship or aircraft in respect of a voyage or flight to Australia from a place outside Australia.
(2) If the ship or aircraft is due to arrive at a port or airport in Australia (whether the first port or airport or any subsequent port or airport on the same voyage or flight), the operator must report to Customs, in accordance with this section, the impending arrival of the ship or aircraft.
Customs Act 1901
Purely from experience...if you find yourself in this situation get on the radio and advise. Then you're obviously not sneaking in anywhere and the dreaded government can work out what they want to do. It will probably be an A grade dickaround, but you won't be in the wrong. None of these Acts have the intent of forcing an aircraft (or boat) into the seabed because they physically couldn't make it to a designated international port.
Of course, if you do it on a weekly basis and reliable witnesses observe people carrying bags of white powder from your aircraft to waiting vehicles there may be follow up.
Other posters may have a better handle on the current regs.
I believe it's covered (at least in part, nothwithstanding Immigration / Quarantine requirements) by s64 of the Customs Act which is a bit of a horror
, but the first clause is:64 Impending arrival report
(1) This section applies to a ship or aircraft in respect of a voyage or flight to Australia from a place outside Australia.
(2) If the ship or aircraft is due to arrive at a port or airport in Australia (whether the first port or airport or any subsequent port or airport on the same voyage or flight), the operator must report to Customs, in accordance with this section, the impending arrival of the ship or aircraft.
Customs Act 1901
Purely from experience...if you find yourself in this situation get on the radio and advise. Then you're obviously not sneaking in anywhere and the dreaded government can work out what they want to do. It will probably be an A grade dickaround, but you won't be in the wrong. None of these Acts have the intent of forcing an aircraft (or boat) into the seabed because they physically couldn't make it to a designated international port.
Of course, if you do it on a weekly basis and reliable witnesses observe people carrying bags of white powder from your aircraft to waiting vehicles there may be follow up.
Last edited by Worrals in the wilds; 14th Aug 2012 at 10:59.
A while back i was told by a low level costoms guy something along the lines of.
If you have a private airfield or base out of an airfield that is not an international port, ie capital city. Because of the lack of slots in/out of YSSY, you can approach the customs dept and get prior approval to operate international departures and arrivals out of that field on a regular basis. There is a lot of frigging around, meetings and paperwork etc.
You still have to give prior notice and fax passport documentation etc, and customs can turn up any time. I understand only the same people that departed can arrive that way.
True/false?
If you have a private airfield or base out of an airfield that is not an international port, ie capital city. Because of the lack of slots in/out of YSSY, you can approach the customs dept and get prior approval to operate international departures and arrivals out of that field on a regular basis. There is a lot of frigging around, meetings and paperwork etc.
You still have to give prior notice and fax passport documentation etc, and customs can turn up any time. I understand only the same people that departed can arrive that way.
True/false?
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True for a given value of 'true'.
Again, a few years out of date but you used to have to pay transport costs for the officers and it was purely up to them whether they approved it on each occasion. Probably worth asking, and less dicking around than going through Sydney.
Again, a few years out of date but you used to have to pay transport costs for the officers and it was purely up to them whether they approved it on each occasion. Probably worth asking, and less dicking around than going through Sydney.
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CIQ at other ports.
worth looking at somewhere that has a Customs Immigration and Quarantine presence that supports shipping with port close to the airport. Coffs comes to mind.
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NMC, saw just this scenerio some years ago. PA30 YSNF - YSSY divert to YPMQ due WX. Local coppers met the plane and took a copy of the gen dec.
I believe the pilot was subsequently "counselled" by CASA on his flight planning!
I believe the pilot was subsequently "counselled" by CASA on his flight planning!
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A few years back we were PHNL-YBBN. Weather got bad and they closed BN. We diverted to Rocky and advised ATC and customs airborne. We were met by the Local airfield operator and we had to stay on the acft for an hour or so until the weather cleared and we departed for Bn where we eventually cleared customs upon arrival.
Could get VERY expensive....
If you advise you have to divert inbound to another field, be aware that you may be asked to stay in/with the aircraft until Customs ,Immigration and Quarantine turn up eventually after a long drive to where you are at...AND at your expense for time, mileage and etc. for everybody from the 3 Depts.
On one ocassion for Auckland out of Norfolk, falling short due head winds would have cost many thousands of dollars..quote was $3000 +
Enjoyed the Norfolk holiday until the winds abated. Top spot.
Or if you arrive before the paperwork gets thru to the appropriate office, and there aint anyone there to meet 'n' greet... can cause problems.
Happened in POM...to hot to remain in the aircraft, waited for an hour or so beside, then went looking. Altho the initial comments were about the calaboose etc, they were very nice about it and we were soon on our way to remoter and less bureaucratic regions.
Another handy thing to have for Intl ops is cans of BugKiller/Flyspray.
Arrive at Horn before the troops? Can spray the cabin and hop out before you die from heat exhaustion.
On one ocassion for Auckland out of Norfolk, falling short due head winds would have cost many thousands of dollars..quote was $3000 +
Enjoyed the Norfolk holiday until the winds abated. Top spot.
Or if you arrive before the paperwork gets thru to the appropriate office, and there aint anyone there to meet 'n' greet... can cause problems.
Happened in POM...to hot to remain in the aircraft, waited for an hour or so beside, then went looking. Altho the initial comments were about the calaboose etc, they were very nice about it and we were soon on our way to remoter and less bureaucratic regions.
Another handy thing to have for Intl ops is cans of BugKiller/Flyspray.
Arrive at Horn before the troops? Can spray the cabin and hop out before you die from heat exhaustion.
