Flying in Mexico

[Hootie9750]

I have a student who owns a cherokee 235 and has talked about us and his son or wife flying down to cancun and mazetlan. Were located in Iowa and would fly down to SW texas on the first day but after that I have no clue about being "street smart" flying in mexico. Im probably just ignorant but I have visions of the plane being salvaged part by part when we leave it at the airport, and then going to jail because we think a $2000 dollar landing fee is ridiculous. Im sure I'll have to do some paperwork or something with customs but does anyone have and experience flying small piston singles in Mexico that could help fill in the blanks for me? Thanks!

 

[westwind]

These guys seem to know how to do it. Good luck!

 

[pilotman2105]

There was an article in Plane and Pilot or Flying or some such magazine within the past year or so. From what I remember, it seemed to have some good information and cautionary advice as to what to avoid. May want to dig around or google for that.

It may have actually been from the guys that westwind posted.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

hey,
I haven't been south for a few years, but here it goes:
Read the AIM/FAR for some details on border/customs ops.
Check with Jepp's for a trip kit, no night vfr, night ops all ifr. vrf is best during the day anyway.
Check with state dept for latest updates, passport is probably reqd.
Smaller airports may try to extract extra fees, check with the Mexican govt. for current fee structure. Do not be suprised if met by the military or Mexican DEA at larger airports, not a big deal they are looking for druggies.
I am sure there is reams more, but some of the best flying I have ever experienced was south of the border out in southern mexico, scenic and the people were wonderful!
Check with AOPA also.
Do it if you get the opportunity
PBR

 

[350DRIVER]

Were located in Iowa and would fly down to SW texas on the first day but after that I have no clue about being "street smart" flying in mexico

Cancun isn't bad at all as the same with Mexico City... The best suggestion that I can make is to make sure that you bring a few (ok, more than a few) $20.00 bills for tipping the Federales. You treat them well and you will get the favor in return, treat them poorly without tipping then life can be made somewhat difficult for you. As far as the actual flying goes, not much should throw you off. Just be careful, make sure you understand them, and do not deviate from their instructions unless safety is being compromised. It will be as eventful of a flight or as uneventful of a flight as you make it, your choice!!. I would not waste the money on services, books, tapes, etc. This isn't brain surgery and can be done relatively easily if you play by the rules and do a little research.

Good luck and enjoy the trip should you decide to make it,

3 5 0

 

[rumpletumbler]

While you are there open up a restaurant called "Gringo's" and hire only people from Yonkers N.Y. to staff it.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Call the AOPA

They have a lot of useful information.

I fly to CUN, CZM and PVR every week. In a small plane, I would consider CZM. Cozumel or Playa Del Carmen, near CUN, but has a small landing strip and nicer beaches away from the "ugly American" crowd.

Isla Mujeres is a long spit of land off of Cancun and has a small landing strip as well. Why go to MMUN for a landing when you have 3 other choices that will be easier access and more intimate locations.

It would be like flying to LAX and then taking the ferry to Catalina!

Have fun,

Jeff

 

[GravityHater]

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=43569&highlight=mexico

is where we talked about this very topic most recently.

 

[Monty Burns 1]

Make sure you brush up on your mountainous terrain ops. Central Mexico is very mountainous with MEAs 12,000+ in some places. The Mexican controllers are not responsible for your terrain clearance as they are in the US, so be extra careful and have your charts out. If you're coming down from the Laredo/ Brownsville, TX area, you'll have to cross the mountains to get over to the west side of Mexico. Good luck!

 

[SuperFLUF]

........... The Mexican controllers are not responsible for your terrain clearance as they are in the US, so be extra careful and have your charts out. ...........

What he said!

All "south of the border" controllers expect that the pilot knows where he or she is and what they are doing. If you are over a 6000 ft mountain range and ask for lower they will clear you to 2000ft. That means do it when its safe to do so since you are supposed to know where you are and what the MEA is.

I think it has something to do with the lower concentration of lawyers and money down there. They don't sue the controllers when they F up.

 

[Vik]

I don't know about your friend's insurance, but I have Avemco w/ my plane and the first page of the insurance clearly states that if you lose the plane down south, you can kiss it goodbye b/c they won't give you a dime.