An "international" airport just means it has customs services. This can be for private a/c so no requirement that there are commercial carriers flying into the airport.
Originally Posted by
WHBM
Not so in the UK and in many other countries. Here in the UK when I fly my light aircraft to/from France all I have to do is file a flight plan. My home base field is certainly not an International Airport, but if the authorities were to be interested in me in any way they would be waiting for me on arrival. Hasn't happened so far.
and that is consistent with what I wrote. You must
land at an international airport but you can
take off from any airport even a private grass landstrip.
Originally Posted by
WHBM
Again not so, unless in the US security paranoia (read public servants creating job opportunities for themselves) they have allowed their zeal to override basic airmanship and the standard rules of aviation. If you declare an emergency your need to get on the ground is absolutely paramount.
Huh? We're not talking about emergencies. We're talking about standard operations. You can declare an emergency any time you need to and land anywhere. they certainly can't force you to stay in the air (a magic hand comes out of no where to help that plane with the failed engine...just joking). And of course basic airmanship rules especially during an emergency....get on the ground safely and then deal with the paper work. But if you happen to land at somewhere other than a location without customs services (ie a non-international airport), aparently you'll still have problems with the immigration part. You do not get a free pass because you declared an emergency. The a/c emergency part will get handled just like any other emergency I presume.