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Foreword
Purpose
The International Flight Information Manual (IFIM) is an online preflight and planning guide for use by U.S. nonscheduled operators, business, and private aviators flying outside of the
United States. The accuracy and currency of information for some of the countries contained in this guide is uncertain because of the difficulty in obtaining the information and because of the
rapidly changing world environment. Aviators should always check with a country's aviation department or a local aviation handler when planning a trip outside of the United States.
General
This online manual contains information correlated by the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Customs Service, the Center for Disease Control, and the
Central Intelligence Agency. Information of a rapidly changing nature such as hours of operations, communication frequencies, danger area boundaries (including restricted and prohibited areas) is
linked when available. The pilot assumes the responsibility for securing these data before beginning flight. Much of this type information is available from the Domestic/International Notices to Airmen publication, aeronautical charts,
NOTAMs, and en route supplements.
Information Sources
a. Member states follow the
International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) guidelines by publishing statistical aeronautical information in a document entitled the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The AIP is
their official publication which defines and describes the airspace, aeronautical facilities and services, and national rules and practices pertaining to air traffic. AIPs are public information made
available through the aviation departments of the publishing country. Although some extracted AIP information is made available on this website, the proper AIP(s) should be consulted during the
planning of international flight operations to get full information.
b. Some countries jointly produce and publish AIP information in a single volume. Several countries do not publish AIP information in book form but will issue AIP information
through NOTAM only. The flight planner should always consult NOTAM information to decide if changes to published data have occurred. Considerable NOTAM material for international locations is
available from the U.S. International Notam Office in Washington, D.C., or through local flight service stations (FSS).
c. The reader is advised to consult the U.S. Department of State's Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets prior to travel. Countries where
avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings. Public Announcements disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short term and/or trans-national conditions
posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They include such information as the location of the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate in the subject country, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. U.S.
Department of State information is available on the world wide web at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/, by dialing the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope and indicating the desired country to the Office
of Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Room 4811, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818.
d. The Center for Disease Control provides health and immunization information for international travel in Health Information for International Travel. Information on
specific countries is available on CDC's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-394-8747, fax 1-888-232-3299, or via their web site at
http://www.cdc.gov.
Precautions
a. Political situations throughout the world are subject to rapid change. The individual country requirements (passport, visa, health, and aircraft entry) listed may not be
current and are subject to change without notice.
b. Operators are advised to assure full compliance in advance for each country's requirements. This will ensure that all flights into, from or over foreign territories are
carried out under the valid regulations of that territory. Particular attention should be given to the permissibility of night flights and services offered between sunset and sunrise. The actual
hours during which customs, immigration, and other clearance services are available at the aerodromes of entry listed are not given in this manual. Availability of these services is subject to
frequent change and must be verified prior to arrival. Particular care should also be given to providing advance notification of arrival to aerodrome officials when such notification is required to
ensure the availability of services.
c. All countries require some form of advance notification of arrival. Advance notification requirements should always be interpreted to mean the number of working days prior to
the flight. Most government offices processing the applications are closed on weekends and holidays. If a specified number of days or hours advance notice is not given, this should be interpreted to
mean that requests should be sent far enough in advance to permit processing and a return reply. A means of prepayment should always be included with the request, particularly if commercial
telegraphic messages are sent, otherwise the reply, if sent, will be via the least expensive mailing method. Pilots forwarding requests should keep and carry along a copy of the request sent,
endorsed by the telegraph company, as proof that the request has been sent. This is especially important for individual countries which do not normally return request approval. Some countries observe
the Moslem weekend, Thursday and Friday. Notification for Saturday morning flights in this instance must be sent prior to Thursday. Consult the public hours listing under the U.S. Embassy heading to
determine the normal workweek for each country.
d. All operators should ensure that required entry documents are available for presentation upon arrival. Multiple copies may be needed of the certificate of ownership papers,
general declarations, passenger and cargo manifests, proper licenses, qualifications and certificates of each crew member, log book, aircraft radio station license, etc.
e. Planes that will remain parked or within the territorial limits of a particular country for an extended period may become subject to import regulations and may be impounded.
Every pilot should determine the number of days his plane may remain in each country of stop upon arrival.
f. Fees of various types and amounts are common in all foreign countries. Types, amounts, and method of payment should be determined before departure. Credit card purchases for
servicing may or may not be acceptable.
g. Visa and passport information given in this manual pertains to U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals and persons traveling under foreign passports should contact the nearest
Embassy or Consulate for entry requirements for their particular country of origin. Availability, types, and time limitations on visas, tourist cards or other entry documents required should be
verified with the nearest Embassy or Consulate prior to departure by all travelers. Some countries require that the traveler have a visa for the next country of entry before departure, as well as
proof of vaccinations required by the next country of entry. Information of this type will also be available from the nearest Embassy or Consulate Office.
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