Flight Operations to Augusta, Georgia – U.S. Masters

Planning on attending the U.S. Masters in Augusta? The highly anticipated 2016 tournament gets underway on April 7 at the Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia. Running until April 10, the event will attract the world’s top golfers and a host of spectators from all over the globe. Here’s some essential operational advice for anyone planning a trip to Augusta.

Augusta Regional / Bush Field Airport

• IATA Code: AGS
• Latitude/ Longitude: N33-22.2/W081-57.9
• Elevation: ‘144 FT
• Magnetic variation: ’04W
• Fuel types: JET / AVGAS

Non-scheduled and Private flights:

• TSA WAIVER may be required for overflight and landing permits.

There are no parking restrictions. Parking will operate on first come, first served basis.

Due to the large number of aircraft operating in the Augusta, Georgia area during the Masters Golf Tournament, the following procedures will be used to minimize air traffic delays and enhance safety:

Traffic Management  

A variety of Traffic Management initiatives may be utilized during this event. They include, but are not limited to, reroutes, miles-in-trail, altitude restrictions, ground stops, and ground delay programs.

Additional initiatives may be required to/from the following airports:

Flight Plan Filing

In order to receive advanced navigation (RNAV) procedures / routings, please ensure that the correct PBN capability qualifier, in the ICAO format, is utilized when filing your flight plan. Flight plans without the correct ICAO RNAV designators will be assigned conventional procedures.

For preferred IFR arrival and departure routings, as well as further information, see https://www.nbaa.org/ops/airspace/regional/masters-golf-tournament/

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:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The United Kingdom*, The Netherlands.

*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

Special duty preferences exist for articles from certain developing countries. Information regarding the countries and the eligible articles can 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:
• U.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

Free export exists for an unlimited quantity of tobacco and alcohol.

Crew members are allowed to import:
• One open liter of alcohol
• 300 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco
• Merchandise not exceeding USD $200 in value
• A special crew line is available

Baggage Clearance

All baggage, regardless of next destination, is cleared at the first point of entry in the USA. This also applies to the baggage of passengers making an international transfer.

Crew: A special crew line is available.

Airport Embarkation Tax

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

Currency

The local currency is the United States Dollar-USD. There are no restrictions on the import and export of cash provided arriving and departing passengers report amounts exceeding USD 10,000.

Importation of gold coins or small, non-commercial quantities of gold must be declared on arrival.

Transport

Car Rental

• Alamo / National
• Avis
• Budget
• Enterprise
• Hertz
• Thrifty

Limousines

• Grand Limousine
• SKJ|A Shuttle, Limousine, and Transportation Services Company
• Dark Horse Limousine Company

Taxis

• Curtis Cab In
• Speedy Cab of Augusta
• Super Cab
• T&T Transportation
• Uber

Accommodation

Hotels near airport:

Downtown (approx. 9 mins):

• Augusta Marriot
• Ramada Augusta
• Holiday Inn Express Augusta Downtown
• Augusta Budget Inn

Fort Gordon area (approx. 10 mins):

• Holiday Inn, Gordon Highway
• Fairfield Inn and Suites
• Hampton Inn Augusta, Gordon Highway
• Wingate by Wyndham

Hotels near event:

• Sheraton Augusta
• Holiday Inn Express Augusta North
• Homewood Suites Augusta
• Candlewood Suites Augusta
• Quality Inn and Suites
• La Quinta Inn Augusta
• Comfort Suites
• Hilton Garden Inn Augusta

Contact UAS Americas Ops team in Houston by emailing hou@uas.aero