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JUNK YARD DOG
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2004
- Posts
- 106
My advise, take a big pocket full O' cash. But seriously I used to go into Mex a great deal, but its been a few years. You don't have to get a handler but it makes things go smoother, ie. sitting in customs/ immigration for 3 hrs. We always used a company called IASCO, who did a good job a treated us well, Don't forget to shake his hand with a jackson when you open the door!! As far as the cost I have no idea the company took care of it. If you choose not to use a handler, when you get ready to leave 1. go to the ATC office fill out ICAO flight plan. 2. Go to customs, pay $$ get stamp on said flt plan. 3. Go to immigration pay $$ get stamp on said flt plan. 4. Go to commadante's office pay $$ get stamp on said flt plan. 5. Go back to ATC office pay $$ get stamp on said flt plan. Now ATC will file and you can leave. Simple.
The controllers all speak english so there is no problems. As far as insurance I'd check with the policy holder and see if they will cover you on a per trip basis. You never know you may have a NO MEXICO clause in it already. As far as WX try a web site www.pilotpointer.com look in the international wx sites and make sure to use the 4-letter ICAO id's. The ATC office will also give you a print out of the WX. Also for customs and immigration US and MX have plenty on Gen Dec's. at least 2 for everybody including a copy that will be stamped for your records. Have fun
The controllers all speak english so there is no problems. As far as insurance I'd check with the policy holder and see if they will cover you on a per trip basis. You never know you may have a NO MEXICO clause in it already. As far as WX try a web site www.pilotpointer.com look in the international wx sites and make sure to use the 4-letter ICAO id's. The ATC office will also give you a print out of the WX. Also for customs and immigration US and MX have plenty on Gen Dec's. at least 2 for everybody including a copy that will be stamped for your records. Have fun
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flightinst
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2004
- Posts
- 23
US Customs
I used to fly there quite a bit year ago. The flying is a blast, controllers are very friendly and nice. The tricky part is all the ground handling. I did not have a handler but my PX was mexican and helped a lot. You will need an internation for the aircraft.
Before coming back to the US you HAVE to call US customs and let them know when you gonna be there and who you have on board. I forgot this once and went through hell.
have fun
I used to fly there quite a bit year ago. The flying is a blast, controllers are very friendly and nice. The tricky part is all the ground handling. I did not have a handler but my PX was mexican and helped a lot. You will need an internation for the aircraft.
Before coming back to the US you HAVE to call US customs and let them know when you gonna be there and who you have on board. I forgot this once and went through hell.
have fun
It is not qite as bad now in the $$$$ department. The government is starting to crack down on the bribes. Usually I will give them ten or twenty dollars to have some beer on me tonight. Things will then go smoother. For the most part you do not need a handler. There are a couple of airports that they seem to think you need one. But all they do is drag their feet.
Each airport's rules and requirements are different. So just go with the flow. Like they say in 'Roadhouse' "Be nice".
Us customs is a different ball of wax. Make sure all your paperwork is in order. If you are a commercial flight, make sure the APIS has been sent. Carrying a copy would be a reasonable policy.
Mexican ATC speaks good english for the most part. If the FAA FSS can not get you MX WX, you can get it off the WSI computer most FBOs have. You will have to file published routes on your flight plan out of Mexico, but ATC will give you direct.
Other than that have fun.
Each airport's rules and requirements are different. So just go with the flow. Like they say in 'Roadhouse' "Be nice".
Us customs is a different ball of wax. Make sure all your paperwork is in order. If you are a commercial flight, make sure the APIS has been sent. Carrying a copy would be a reasonable policy.
Mexican ATC speaks good english for the most part. If the FAA FSS can not get you MX WX, you can get it off the WSI computer most FBOs have. You will have to file published routes on your flight plan out of Mexico, but ATC will give you direct.
Other than that have fun.
Lead Sled
Sitt'n on the throne...
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2004
- Posts
- 2,066
We go to Mexico a few times each year, in fact, we just got back from a trip.The Natural said:
Mexican insurance cost us $85 dollars a year through our insurance underwriter. (Astra, non-commercial)
Handlers? I used to use Universal, but we started using the individual that Universal contracts with in Cabo and we get exactly the same service for quite a bit less money. If I were flying down there privately I'd probably not bother with getting the help - you can go to the AOPA website and do a search on Mexico. You'll find what is essentially a "Flying to Mexico for Dummies" article. However, when it comes to flying the boss and his guests, it's worth the extra cost to avoid their having to stand in lines, whip out their wallets, etc. Handlers make the process smooth and transparent.
Language isn't a problem, some of them speak english better than I do. Weather isn't a problem. Weather on the way down is through your normal sources; on the back you get it when you file your flight plans.
US Customs is a pain in the... Have your paperwork filed out in advance and make the appropriate notifications and you'll be fine.
As far as $$$. The days of cheap deals are over with. Cabo and some of the other tourist destinations are as expensive as anything you'll find anywhere. Take a wad of cash with you in case you neeed to grease the skids of commerce if you know what I mean.
Have a great time. I love flying down there.
'Sled
Mexico
Get a handler. When things get in a tight spot, he can bail you out, i.e. no one to move the plane, fuel is slow, where is the catering, why so long to go thru immigration and customs. I've never paid anyone off. He pays everyone off and you don't have to deal with it. There are several to choose from, look in a directory and they are listed, i.e. accuqwik, AOPA directory, etc. U.S. Customs can be a pain if you are not prepared. Have the forms all filled out by the time you land. Don't try to be funny with them, they have no sense of humor. All the other comments are right on point and no one is wrong.
Get a handler. When things get in a tight spot, he can bail you out, i.e. no one to move the plane, fuel is slow, where is the catering, why so long to go thru immigration and customs. I've never paid anyone off. He pays everyone off and you don't have to deal with it. There are several to choose from, look in a directory and they are listed, i.e. accuqwik, AOPA directory, etc. U.S. Customs can be a pain if you are not prepared. Have the forms all filled out by the time you land. Don't try to be funny with them, they have no sense of humor. All the other comments are right on point and no one is wrong.
G100driver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2002
- Posts
- 2,094
Hola, como esta, Udt?
I am in Mexico right now. We used a handler through Colt. They are a cheaper than Universal. I highley recommend it. Our pax got out of the airplane and were in their car in 5 minutes. No problemo .... comprende?
Always greet evevyone with a handshake and a respectful hello. It goes a long in getting good service.
We also tipped the FBO staff a Ben Franklin to not move the airplane. The ramp is pretty crowed and they do not have proper equiptment to move the airplane.
One of the airplanes in our charter fleet attempted this without a handler and had to wait for about 1 hour trying to get through immigration. It is not worth it if you are on charter or carrying pax that are impatient.
By all means, have a great time!
I am in Mexico right now. We used a handler through Colt. They are a cheaper than Universal. I highley recommend it. Our pax got out of the airplane and were in their car in 5 minutes. No problemo .... comprende?
Always greet evevyone with a handshake and a respectful hello. It goes a long in getting good service.
We also tipped the FBO staff a Ben Franklin to not move the airplane. The ramp is pretty crowed and they do not have proper equiptment to move the airplane.
One of the airplanes in our charter fleet attempted this without a handler and had to wait for about 1 hour trying to get through immigration. It is not worth it if you are on charter or carrying pax that are impatient.
By all means, have a great time!
G100driver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2002
- Posts
- 2,094
G100driver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2002
- Posts
- 2,094
witchdoctor
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Posts
- 40
T
The Natural
Thanks for your input guys. I've flown to canada and the bahamas; but i heard mexico was a different animal. Thanks for putting my fears to rest. I probably will go with a handler at least the first time.
This flight probably wont materialize for a few weeks - month, but I know my guys and when its time to go it will be short nortice and we shoulda been there yesterday.
Nothings better than hearing first hand experiences!! hearsay is a bitch.
This flight probably wont materialize for a few weeks - month, but I know my guys and when its time to go it will be short nortice and we shoulda been there yesterday.
Nothings better than hearing first hand experiences!! hearsay is a bitch.
mike1mc
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2002
- Posts
- 575
Call Universal and they will help you out with EVERYTHING. We use Air Routing for the majority of our Int'l trips, but use ONLY Universal in Mexico. They seem to have it together more than Air Routing there (although most of these guys use the same handlers). I think you will need a landing permit and also a Mexican Insurance policy (these may be a "commerical aircraft" requirement only).
US Customs is always an issue, but just beware that there are only a handful of airports that can be used as an airport of entry when arriving from the south (aka Mexico). Have all your paperwork in order and make prior reservations and you should have no problem. I have had problems in the past making a "reservation" with US Customs more than 72 hours in advance.
US Customs is always an issue, but just beware that there are only a handful of airports that can be used as an airport of entry when arriving from the south (aka Mexico). Have all your paperwork in order and make prior reservations and you should have no problem. I have had problems in the past making a "reservation" with US Customs more than 72 hours in advance.
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