Flying to Mexico

[Cowboypilot]

I'm flying my first trip into Mexico (MMPR) Pureto Vallarta. Going in a
KA-200. Contacted Universal, but they have confusing charges. Can anyone give info on this trip. We will be stopping for fuel in LRD going and coming.
Thanks in advance.

 

[satpak77]

if its your very first time to Mexico, use UV-Air. Do NOT try to "wing it on your own."

Make sure all crew and pax have valid passports. Plan to be friendly and smile alot and shake hands when you land, you will be inspected about 3 times by various uniformed agencies. Bring some Coca-Colas and throw them in the wing locker, then hand them out to above agencies when they meet the plane. Trust me on this.

I don't have the data in front of me, but your plane also should have insurance that is "legal" in Mexico. Avemco or AOPA Insurance may not be "recognized" in Mexico. Call UV-AIr or NBAA on this.

King Airs get stolen all the time in Mexico. Bring a large chain with a lock on it and affix it to the prop as a prop lock after you shut-down. Also secure the emergency escape door "flipper handles" so that they are in locked position. Take the BATT BUS and disengage it also, posistion "OFF" or "OPEN" or whatever it is called in the B-200. It should be "normal" 99% of the time but this is one time you flip it the otherway, to disengage the starter and batt circuits.

Mexico is nice but you gotta be heads up on some stuff

back in-bound, Customs at KMFE is friendlier than KLRD. Just park at Customs ramp and walk-in, they don't even come to plane . Whatever, thats their deal. It is easier tho for you.

later

 

[FL350]

Puerto Vallarta is pretty easy as mex airports go. Rather than going through Universal or something like that, try contacting a handler directly to get them to do all your stuff. I think you can get the FBO name in the AccuKwik. Call them and get them to arrange it all and fax/email forms. As I said PVR is pretty easy, but be careful on the ramp it is ramp rash waiting to happen.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Flying to Puerto Vallarta is very easy, you do not have to use Universal, Colt etc. Call the FBO and set it up with them. You will need to fax a copy of the aircraft registration, airworthiness, Mexican Insurance, pilot certificate and passenger list. They'll take of everything for you. Ramp is small and they charged us $90/night to park a Beechjet. FBO is Aerotron 52-322-221-1921 I think it Pablo who I spoke to.

 

[satpak77]

Flying to Puerto Vallarta is very easy, you do not have to use Universal, Colt etc. Call the FBO and set it up with them.

good info to get

 

[Cowboypilot]

Thanks for the respones. Keep them coming. All info is helpful.
I didnt know a six pack of Coca Cola would get so much done.
Here are some of the charges UV is telling me I'll have to pay.
Computerized flight plans (2) 75.00 dont think I ned this
Flight plan filing (2) 15.50 I can file a ICOA plan going dont Know about coming back

International NOTAMS 15.00
Communications SITA,AFTN 271.50 ????Whats this?
Handling arrangements 80.00
Naviation Fees 112.50
Landing/Airport fees 200.00+ 25.00 UV fee....understand this
Handling/3rd party charges 1,300.00+162.50 UV fee ???????????
Parking charges 100.00+12.50 UV fee
Landing permits 378.00

If I decide to call a handler on my own should I take a wad of cash?

Keep those inputs coming.

 

[Capt1124]

The thing about using trip planning services is they nickel and dime you to death- or more accurately, $25 you to death. $25 for a fax, $25 for a phone call, etc. etc.

You're not guaranteed on getting decent service either. I used Universal once, and because of the "team" concept, I talked to a different person every time who had no idea what I was talking about and needed a complete explanation. Jeppesen has been better but they have shafted me- but that's another story.

You can get everything you need and save money by contacting a handler yourself- they are listed in Acukwik. I have always used ICCS in Mexico and received excelent service. I still get flight plans and weather from Jeppesen although you maybe able to get legal weather through DUATS, I'm not sure.

Make sure you have all your paperwork, more for US Customs than Mexico- I don't think the Mexicans care that much. On the subject of insurance, I have never had a Mexican policy- our US policy specifically says it's good in Mexico, and that has always been sufficient.

Have fun. I hope PV is nicer than Cabo- geez, what a dump.

 

[Capt1124]

But however you do it you will be paying a lot of very high fees in Mexico- they love to squeeze the gringos.

 

[HMR]

Passport

We're going to PV in a few weeks. My girlfriend is coming with us and won't be able to get her new passport in time. Does anyone know if you can get through customs with anything else? Birth Certificate? Photo ID?

I know you can walk back and forth across the border all day with only a photo ID. I just don't know what happens if you show up in PV on a private jet w/o a passport.

Thanks!

 

[G100driver]

We're going to PV in a few weeks. My girlfriend is coming with us and won't be able to get her new passport in time. Does anyone know if you can get through customs with anything else? Birth Certificate? Photo ID?

I know you can walk back and forth across the border all day with only a photo ID. I just don't know what happens if you show up in PV on a private jet w/o a passport.

Thanks!

Notorized copy of her birth certificate and photo ID will work ... until Jan 2006 (?)

Just be sure and advise your handler ahead of time. No surprises.

 

[Cowboypilot]

Passport

VIP Services in Houston can get you a passport in 24 hours. But it costs. They can do a t2 week to 24 service. We used the 4 to 7 day. But you still have to have a photo ID and a certified copy (raised seal) birth certificate. Same thing you need to get back home....Until Jan 06

 

[Bandit60]

Very important.... Make sure you have mexican insurance and your U.S. insurance as well. You could run into big touble if you dont have it.

PS If your passengers want to fly to mexico then they need to know that there is extra expenses relating to flying internationally.

 

[Clutch_Cargo]

FWIW, I agree completely w/ the folks above... skip the middleman and call direct... it should save you at least a little cash.

Just to drive the point home, if you go the birth certificate route, make sure it's the official (as Cowboy & G100 pointed out, raised seal) copy... not the souvenir copy w/ your little feet prints on it. Seen this a number of times before and somehow people just don't get that it won't work.

The mexican insurance is very important too... check your policy. I guess some US policies are good down there but we have a separate policy.

Someone mentioned security measures and I think that it is good advice. I also look in every nook and cranny before leaving to make sure I'm not carrying something I'm not aware of. That may just be me being paranoid but I don't want to be someone's mule and find out the hard way!

cc

 

[G100driver]

As far as security goes, we put stickers on every lock the airplane and put stickers on every quick access panal as to see if it has been opened or not while we were parked there.

There was just a case recently where a CitX crew was busted for drugs in there ski tube. They had no idea.

 

[T-REX]

The post office offers a rapid passport service now too, for an extra $40 they will get it to you in a week.

 

[falconpilot]

mexico flight

Pay the extra money and get a handler... We always use Air Routing Intl... The take care of everything.... It makes it so much easier... Mexico is very easy to get in and out of, but I have had some hassels in the past. Good luck...

 

[Cowboypilot]

just got back

Just got back from MMPR. Used a handler chosen from the list under MMPR in Ackuquik. Appears to be a waste of money. The "handler" contracted the FBO to do everything and then charged me 15% on the charges. The FBO was great and said just to contact them directly in the future, which I will.
I took lots of advice from this fourm like seals, and passport info.

Im flying to MMQT and MMAN in two weeks...any info?

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[XLDaddy]

Aerotron does a pretty good job getting things done for you. I used a handler once the first time as well, after that just have always contacted them direct. Never had a problem, but it is a bit expensive like all big mexican airports. MMQT is straightforward. Been in there a few times and fees have been reasonable, no handler. Make sure the pax know the airport curfew, commandante threatens big money to stay late and keep the controllers there(used to be after 7:00PM). Watch the winds getting in and out as it sits on a bit of a plateau and you may get a bit of shear, especially landing east. No food at the airport unless the cafe is open, which it never has been when I was there. I've never been to MMAM, have a good trip.

 

[pilotviolin]

just did mexico twice in the last two weeks. Pay only a handler if you whant to save maybe only a half an hour. I don't use handler because mexicans are flriendly and the fbo staff can do the same thing! Just make sure you have mexian insurance and just show up. Mexicans are awesome.

 

[HMR]

Thanks for the help everyone. We just got back from Puerto Vallarta today. We skipped the handler and used Aerotron directly. From the time we opened the door until our pax were on their way to the Four Seasons took all of 10 minutes. Even quicker on the way back. I don't see how a handler could've saved any time. The line guys were some of the most helpful I've dealt with.

We stayed at the Sheraton Buganvilias- $135/night USD for oceanview. Nice place within walking distance to a lot of stuff. We rented a car through the FBO but didn't need it. Cab from FBO to hotel was $15USD, same cab from hotel to FBO is $6USD.



Here's the price list straight from Aerotron:
About your request for parking in our place for three days, I so glad to present You the parking and ground handling services fees for Gulfstream Astra:


CATEGORY “B”.



LANDING FEE.- $ 66.97 USD

RAMP OVERNIGHT-. $ 100.00 USD ( PER NIGHT )

INMIGRATION & AIRPORT PASSENGER FEES-. $ 52.00 USD ( EACH ONE )

INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURES FEES.- $ 180.00 USD

EXTRAORDINARY INMIGRATION FEES.- $ 134.00 USD

AIRPORT SERVICES TAX.- $ 147.20 USD ( 15% OF ALL SERVICES )

GOVERNMENT TAX.- $ 179.37 USD ( 15% OF TOTAL AMOUNT )



NOTE: PRICES SUBJECTS TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.



My girlfriend never got her passport. She just used her birth certificate and driver's license. No problem at all.


BTW- My boss' only concern when he arrived at the FBO today was whether or not we'd had enough time to relax by the pool with our significant others. I think we've had exactly 8 RON's since Jan.1st. 7 of those nights have been spent on the beach in MX. If there's a better flying gig out there, I'll be happy to treat the crew to dinner next time you're in town.