1. Why is Executive
Air KGRB a recommended tech stops for business aviation operators?
Depending on your itinerary, there are many tech stop
locations to consider and others you may want to avoid. Important factors to
consider when selecting a tech stop are flexible airport hours, ease of customs
clearance, likelihood of traffic and ground delays, and availability of
services. Based on these factors,
this is what makes Executive Air GRB a great option for your tech stops.
•✈ Green
Bay, WI (KGRB)
2. What makes
Executive Air KGRB a recommended location?
KGRB is a great option for clients coming from Europe to
West Coast destination – such as KVNY and KBUR – without CIQ on the field. KGRB has quick turn capability and easy
customs notification. Executive
Air KGRB is not a congested airfield and is full service with negotiable fuel
prices to fit individual needs.
3. What is turnaround
time for aviation fuel at Executive Air GRB?
You can generally turn an aircraft within 45 minutes at most
locations. Turns at KGRB typically take 20 minutes vs. a longer stop in other
area airports / FBO’s.
4. Is CIQ clearance
required and are visas necessary at each U.S. location when it’s an
international tech stop only?
You’re required to clear U.S. CIQ for all first entry stops,
even if you’re continuing to an international destination. Non-U.S. passengers
and flight crew require visas. Green-card holders and Canadian citizens
traveling to the U.S. for ‘tourism’ only do not require visas. Keep in mind
that passengers cannot use Visa Waiver Program benefits if arriving on a
corporate aircraft that’s not a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier and/ or
they aren’t nationals from one of the 36 approved countries. (We discussed the
U.S. Visa Waiver Program in depth in an earlier article.)
5. What if my
passengers want to avoid U.S. Customs and associated formalities?
You can clear at Gander, Canada (CYQX) or Goose Bay, Canada
(CYYR) to avoid U.S. CIQ clearance, but you may still require a TSA waiver to
overfly the U.S. in a non-U.S. registered aircraft. To avoid TSA Waiver
requirements you’d have to stay over the water, avoiding the U.S. airspace. In
this case you may want to consider Bermuda or the Bahamas for a tech stop,
depending on your departure point. Also, please consider that some
nationalities may require a visa for a stop in Canada, Bermuda, or the Bahamas.
6. What are your
operating hours at your tech stop?
KGRB is a 24-hour airport with possible extended CIQ hours
with prior arrangement. However, it’s up to the appropriate customs office to
approve or disapprove extended hours. Weekend arrivals must contact customers before 4pm Friday to
make arrangements for a weekend clearing.
7. Are airport slots,
prior permissions required (PPRs) or any other notifications necessary?
Airport slots and PPRs are not required at KGRB. Even though no airport slots or PPRs are
required, other notifications and arrangements must be made. For example, KGRB
is a landing rights airport and you must secure landing approval in
advance. You may also want to
submit e-APIS at the same time. Keep in mind that some locations like KGRB
including KGTF awill only allow CIQ clearance of up to 20 people onboard,
including passengers and crew.
8. Are landing
permits required for private non-revenue or charter (non-scheduled commercial)
operations at these stops?
No landing permits are needed, but TSA waivers may be
required for larger aircraft (over 100,309 pounds maximum takeoff weight
[MTOW]) and certain foreign registered aircraft. If a TSA waiver is required
but not noted on your flight plan, customs may question and possibly fine you.
Determining factors for TSA waivers include country of registration, MTOW, and
itinerary. Check with a 3rd-party provider for more information.
9. Can credit be
arranged for all ground handling and other services?
Most locations accept credit for services, KGRB which
accepts credit cards. In some cases, aviation fuel cards are accepted, but
credit through the fixed base operator (FBO) might not be possible. Check with
a 3rd-party provider or FBO in advance.
10. Is there anything
that may complicate the tech stop or cause operational delays?
CIQ clearance is generally straightforward. There may be
occasional complications with CIQ clearance during tech stops. This often has
to do with non-U.S. nationals that have expired visas or other documentation issues.
Customs may require baggage to be offloaded, but this depends on the customs
official’s request. You’ll usually be permitted to leave your APU running. Keep
in mind that international trash must be properly disposed of on landing. At
other ‘CIQ tech stops – including KMIA, KEWR, KBOS and KLAS – the customs
clearance process may be more rigorous. Its best practice to select tech stops
with less likelihood of operational and CIQ delays. You’ll often run into
traffic delays in the New York, Boston or Miami areas. It’s more common to
encounter deicing requirements, and equipment delays, at PANC than at PAFA.
Conclusion
While outbound tech stops are generally straightforward,
consideration must be given to customs clearance when operating to the U.S. (or
when outbound clearance is required for charter [non-scheduled commercial]
flights). User fee or landing rights airports may give you the best option in
terms of great circle route and lack of congestion. However, they’re often less
flexible in terms of schedule revisions. To learn more about our International Tech Stops,
please contact us by phone at 920.498.4880 or via email at manager@executiveair.com.
