Flying to MEXICO-who's got the know-ho

[blusideup]

I've got a flight to Mexico coming up and wanted to know if anyone out there flies in regularly and is familiar with ops there regarding paperwork, customs, do's and dont's, etc....

This is what I've got done so far-
-APIS
-Contacted a handler
-US Customs has been advised and we will clear on the way out in MIA.

What did I miss?

Thanks for any help...

 

[Rick1128]

Are you a private flight or charter?

In either case you will need Mexician insurance. If a commercial flight you will also need Mexican permits.

As for a handler, it really depends on the aircraft type and more important where you are going. I fly into Mexico on a very regular basis, up to several times a week and do not use a handler on a normal basis. Sometimes I will in some of the really out of way podunk airports and Toluca very late at night.

Most of the airports will take UVAir card for fuel and the like. But the airport and customs fees have to be cash for the most part. A couple of airports require them to be paid by major credit card.

Tips work very well. As you get closer to Mexicon City you need to pull them out of your pocket rather than a money bag. Making a contribution to their christmas party fund or coffee fund works, as does buying them a beer.

The major resort airports and Toluca are generally no problem.

 

[blusideup]

That's exactly where we're flying into...Toluca.

It'll be a 135 flight in a Citation III.

How much cash do you recommend I take for airport/aircraft purposes? How much do you tip the handler and others?

Any suggestions on where to stay and what to do in the toluca area?

Have you made the flight across the Gulf from FL? That's the route I'm taking and I've been told different things about the VHF gap heading over there.

Your insight is much appreciated. It's my first flight in to Mexico so I just want to make sure all things are lined up.

 

[Otter]

_

I agree with Rick1128.

Are you using ICCS? If so ICCS will take care of most all the fees and then you get the bill from them. They always do well by us, the lack of headaches warrants the tip to the handler.

I typically give the handler 50-100 and the fuel amigos 10 each. I cant remember the name of the hotel we use down in toluca. It has a great deal of white marble. Great little resturant across the street. I highly recommend the "meat" tacos, followed with a liberal amount of tequila. That combination has insulated me from montezuma's revenge thus far. Of course it has been about a year since I spent the night down there.

I've not made the run across the Gulf to get there, so I have no insight on your VHF quesion, you are going to love their version of radar and traffic services.

 

[blusideup]

ICCS???

Never heard of it.

Care to give me some info on it?

Thanks again...

 

[Rick1128]

We carry around $3K to 4K in each aircraft. Generally I can get a Lear out of Toluca for around $1200 with fuel. Your fuel price will be about 5% cheaper if you pay cash. We deal with Universal just because we go just about everywhere in South America, so one stop shopping makes it easier on our accounting people.

Be sure you have copies of your Mexican Permits on the aircraft. And they will need to have a copy of the receipt with them. That tends to be a major hot button for the Commandate. Also have an original of the Mexican Insurance. It has to be from a Mexican Insurance company. They will not accept copies.

Remember to have plenty of copies of all the customs forms for your return. It is no longer required to check out of the US with Customs. And have all your paperwork completed before you open the aircraft door. Mexican officials are not too bad, but the US Customs can be a pain in the tail.

At the altitudes you fly at, there is not real VHF gap. There MIGHT be a couple of minutes without getting an answer but that is about it.

Make sure that your raft and vests are current. I have been told that US Customs is starting to check those items.

And if the aircraft is not registered in your company name, I would also carry a letter from the owner giving you permission to operate it outside the USA.

Good Luck.

 

[DA82]

Things to do in Toluca

Del Rey Hotel is pretty nice in Toluca (in town not by airport).
Places to visit, well it depends, tourist places ask the hotel people in the front desk. A place to have a drink or two or three, try SAFARI, or a bit more expensive try TITANIUM.

 

[TaxiDriver]

Since we are on the subject......I am headed to Puebla next week. Has anyone been there??? Places to stay, etc.....oh yeah, maybe where I can find some tasty "cat" tacos! Just kidding.

 

[Otter]

I have not been to Puebla, the Del Rey is a safe choice for Toluca.

 

[ratings:all]

um

kinda haphazard to run into mexico 135 and not know much about whats going on . . . like charter permits. its not europe with cabatage, but i've heard stories of parked gulfstreams down there waiting while the consolute irons things out.

iccs will get the charter permit for you, but dont expect a hard copy in your hands before you launch, just the okay from the iccs guy is all youll get. charter in mexico is basically approved by the local airport commendant-so once iccs' local guy gets the nod, you're good. their number (its in mexico, and their english is kinda hard sometimes. make sure you fax *everything* and get a return fax confirmation of the schedule. iccs (international corporate and cargo services) number is Tel: 011+52 (55) 55-57-19-55, Fax: 011+52 (55) 53-95-96-21

give em 3-4 days. the book calls for 5-7, but can usually be taken care of sooner. they're the best when it comes to mexico. universal just uses them, so might as well go direct and save yourself some bucks

im sure you got life rafts and all that other good stuff taken care of? where you clearin on the way in?

 

[Rick1128]

We used to use iccs for our annual permit renewal, until they screwed it up. It didn't get renewed. It very difficult to get any satisfaction on those sort of issues with a company outside the country. At least with Universal, if there is a problem, it is either fixed or you get some or all of your money back.

While the one time permit is done through the Commandate, the annual permits are done through DGSC and while individual Commandate's may try to say they are not valid, showing them a copy of the receipt tends to stop that problem.

I mentioned the rafts and vests, as they are easliy overlooked items especially if they are not used a lot. And Customs, who has absolutely no training in this area, has picked up on it and is starting to check.

We have all heard of aircraft being held for paperwork problems. We are also now starting to hear stories of airport officials being arrested for pulling paperwork scams in order to receive bribes. And based on what I have seen in Mexico, there is some basis in fact.

 

[Otter]

go figure

It is funny how some people have opposite experiences with companies. We had a HUGE snaffu with universal and ICCS has been great for us the last two years. I am beginning to feel like aviation and all things flying are just luck of the draw.

 

[ratings:all]

rafts

and remember, theres a difference between 135 and 91 rafts

 

[English]

Please tell...what is the difference?

I've been asked to cross the Gulf in a CJ...not real happy about that, and it might not happen. The aircraft owner said he has a liferaft. What is the requirement for part 91?

 

[ratings:all]

rafts

91 life rafts (called type 1) are basically just a raft-single hulled, and very basic survival kit. 135 rafts (called type 2) are double hulled, have a radio beacon, and a more complete survival kit. you also have to make sure you have enough raft capacity for crew/pax. rafts are listed as 4/6, 6/9, 10/12, etc. the first number is the ONLY number that can be used for planning purposes-if you have a 4/6 raft, and try to have 3 pax and 2 crew, thats not a big enough raft-you have to have a 6/9, or larger.

there are several raft providers you can rent from if your owner's raft is type 1 and you're doing charter and need a type 2

 

[English]

Thanks! I learned something new.