Tips and Trips: U.S.A. Grand Prix 2015

The 2015 U.S.A. Grand Prix gets underway at the Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, from October 23-25. The event has enjoyed massive popularity since the first Grand Prix in 2012. The 56 lap race is the second-to-last race of the season and is expected to draw a massive crowd to Austin.

We’ve compiled some important information for anyone flying into Austin.

Immigration

Non-U.S. citizens who wish to enter the United States must obtain a U.S. visa to be inserted into their passport before they enter the country.

There are certain travelers who may travel without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP enables citizens of designated countries to travel to the U.S. for stays of up to 90 days without arranging a visa before their trip.

Citizens of the following countries may travel to the U.S. under the VWP:

*This applies to British citizens only with the unrestricted right of permanent domicile in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

All citizens of VWP countries planning to travel to the U.S. for 90 days or under must receive authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ESTA, before boarding a U.S.-bound flight. ESTA is an automated system that assists in determining an individual’s eligibility to travel to the U.S.

Crew

Crewmember (D) visas are non-immigrant visas for persons working on aircraft and intending to depart the U.S. again within 29 days.

Customs 

Import regulations

Articles from certain developing countries are given special duty preferences when imported into the USA. Information regarding the countries concerned and the eligible articles may be obtained directly from the U.S. International Trade Commission, 701 E Street N.W., Washington, D. C. 20436 or from the nearest overseas U.S. Consulate.

For further information regarding the exact allowance for your country of origin, please contact:

• S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Center for Import and Export, 4700 River Road, Unit 39; Riverdale, MD 20737.
• The U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Washington, D.C. 20240, or at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.
• Quarantines; U.S. Department of Agriculture (see address quoted above) or at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Prohibited:

Narcotics, meat products, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, dairy products, live insects, snails, and other pests.

Also, fish (unless it has been certified disease-free), items from Iran, leather souvenirs from Haiti, and Cuban cigars.

Export regulations

There is free export for an unlimited quantity of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

Crew

Crew are allowed to import:

• One open liter of alcoholic beverage
• 300 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco, or a proportionate breakdown of each
• Merchandise not exceeding USD $200 in value, and may include gifts, free of duty
• A special crew line is available

Currency

The local currency is United States Dollars (USD).

• A passenger may import USD and other currencies without restrictions, provided they report amounts exceeding USD 10,000 to U.S. customs on entry and departure
• The importation of gold coins or small quantities of gold must be declared on arrival

Baggage Clearance

• All baggage, regardless of the next destination, is cleared at the first point of entry in the U.S.
• This also applies to baggage of passengers making an international transfer
• There is a special crew line available

Airport Embarkation Tax

There is no airport tax levied on passengers upon embarkation at this airport.

AIRPORT – AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTL

• IATA Code: AUS
• Longitude/ latitude: 30-11-40.3 N / 97-40-11.6 W
• Elevation: 541.6 ft.
• Magnetic variation: 6 E 2000
• Pattern Altitude: XXXX feet AGL
• Fuel: AVGAS JET
• Time Zone Info: UTC/GMT – 6 hours

Private flights and non-scheduled flights

Private and non-scheduled flights require TSA Waiver Authorization if flying domestic legs within the U.S. FAA Route Authorization for landing and overflying is required for aircraft registered in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, & Syria.

TSA Waiver Authorization is required for aircraft overflying the United States. Aircraft registered in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands are authorized to operate within the Territorial Airspace of the U.S. so long as all applicable regulations are met. In other words, aircraft registered in the countries listed above do not require a waiver to conduct flights within the U.S.

Non-scheduled commercial flights

Non-scheduled commercial flights require a US Department of Transportation license to operate flights in the USA.

Foreign operators who wish to provide air transportation service as an air carrier must first obtain two separate authorizations from the Department of Transportation:

• Economic Authority from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (the Department) in the form of a certificate for interstate or foreign passenger and/or cargo authority
• Safety Authority in the form of an Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Additional notes:

There are no parking restrictions at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

BIRD ACTIVITY ON & INVOF ARPT.

DURG THE HRS 0000-0600 ARRIVING ACFT WILL BE ASSIGNED RY 35L OR RY 35R & DEPARTING ACFT WILL BE ASSIGNED RY 17L OR RY 17R TO AVOID NOISE SENSITIVE AREAS.

NOISE ABATEMENT: ALL DEP FOLLOW ATC INSTRUCTIONS; CLIMB ASAP TO 4000 FT OR ABOVE.

PPR ENGINE MAINTENANCE RUN UPS CALL OPS 512-530-7550.

DECLARED LOW VISIBILITY CONDS REQUIRE ATCT COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO PUSH BACK. POWER BACKS ARE PROHIBITED DURG THESE PERIODS.

TERMINAL APRON OUTER TAXILANE CLSD 2000-0800.

PPR GA ACFT ON THE PSGR TERMINAL APRON,

Accommodation

Hotels near Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport:

• Hilton Austin Airport
• Courtyard by Marriott Austin Airport
• Quality Inn & Suites
• Hawthorn Suites Ltd. – Austin Airport
• Hampton Inn & Suites – Airport
• La Quinta Inn and Suites Austin Airport
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Austin Airport
• Comfort Suites Austin Airport
• Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham Austin Airport
• Staybridge Suites Austin Airport

Hotels near the Circuit of the Americas:

• Quality Inn & Suites Airport
• Hilton Austin Airport
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Austin Airport
• La Quinta Inn and Suites Austin Airport
• Courtyard by Marriott Austin Airport
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin Airport
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Austin South
• Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark
• Residence Inn by Marriott Austin South
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Austin South

Transport

Bus, Lyft, Uber, Supershuttle, limousine services, car rental, taxis and charters are all available at the destination.

For more information check out http://www.austintexas.gov/department/ground-transportation

Parking at the event

Ample parking can be found in one of the many lots located throughout Circuit of The Americas.