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In and out of Mexico

N4843W

N4843W

New member
SE MI
Aircraft Year
1977
Aircraft Type
114
Reg Number
N4843W
Serial Number
14173
Plan to fly to Monterrey, MX, for business in February. Why? Because I can, I guess. Always been a risk-taker. Nice bucket-list thing. Will go IFR for sure. Any advice appreciated. I am in contact with Roberto Shroeder, a COG member who lives there. One question is, is there a particular airport for re-entry that would be good, or not-so-good, for returning to the states?
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

N4843W said:
Any advice appreciated.
Click to expand...

1) Bring weapons.

2) Have a drug-sniffing dog check your airplane before returning to the USA.

:rolleyes:
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

DON'T FLY LOW ALONG THE BORDER! AK 47's can't reach above 4000 feet.
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

What would I do without the wise (ass) counsel from you guys?
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

I live in AZ (so I am real close) and won't go down there. Was interested, and attended a meeting of the Baja bush pilots to see what they recommended. After listening to their pitch, which was "we go down as a group and we have trusted Federallies (local cops) that we pay off to guard the planes" I decided to pass.
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Been there and done it,got lucky!Never again not even comercial!

Juergen Koehn
N5893N,114A/GT
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Roberto who lives in Monterrey says it is not a problem going into Monterrey International if you don't do dumb things. He is going to take care of me! And the client is one of the biggest construction companies in Mexico. They also said they would take good care of us! Ah well, if I don't come back, it will go into COG lore. give you guys something to talk about for a few days anyway. Kind of quiet lately.
 
Get cash to tip the ramp boys, you'll be fine. Tip everyone for that matter, money talks down there.
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

AOPA has info for flight to Mexico on it's members page. Buy the customs tag now. AOE is much easier if you already have the tag on the plane. Good luck!
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Many pilots here in SoCal love going to Mexico. My cousin is there now for 3 weeks. Last year they went to Panama. They rave about the flying opportunities and the people and the beauty of the country. EAPIS can be difficult the first time you use it and there can be differences in the way you are treated at different airports, but if you are only going to Monterey, you'll only get one experience. Have a great trip. We believe that most of the bad things people associated with Mexico are close to the border.
Berkeley
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Wonder what the insurance companies know that we don't???
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

or Pete ... they see any opportunity to trump something up to the max, real or perceived, and price it top dollar? Nah. Not an insurance company.

Actually, Roberto has me going to a big GA airport that does 44,000 operations annually, Del Norte:
http://www.aeropuertodelnorte.com.mx/

Impressive website. I sent them an inquiry form. i'll see what comes back.

Thanks for the help from at least some of you! (but that is part of the charm of COG, for sure.)

Checking with Insurance tomorrow. My guys are based in Dallas so I am guessing they are pretty familiar with Monterrey.
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Someone correct me but I am pretty sure the Mexican insurance requirement comes from the Mexican government and has nothing to do with the current anarchy along the border. It has been a requirement for automobile owners for the last 40 years.
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

jmcb said:
Someone correct me but I am pretty sure the Mexican insurance requirement comes from the Mexican government and has nothing to do with the current anarchy along the border. It has been a requirement for automobile owners for the last 40 years.
Click to expand...


El Correcto...
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Generally speaking I would not recommend flying into Mexico unless you have experience. Yes, there are many airport officials who see this as an opportunity to do business. Del Norte (MMAN) is probably the only airport I would recommend. Three things you have to keep in mind:

- Know EAPIS....you can really run into trouble (and fines) by not using it correctly. This BTW is courtesy of the U.S.

- Have insurance that is valid in Mexico. Yes, this is a Mexican requirement and something many pilots overlook.

- Whenever possible use an FBO. They will take good care of your plane and help you fill out forms, etc.

Other comments I sent to Scott:

- DO NOT try to drive here unless you have experience driving in Rome, India or Irak.

- No bar hopping or sightseeing by yourself. Specially in these times with so much violence in the streets.

And finally the obvious: NEVER drink the water!! Drink beer or tequila.

Salud!
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

It seems such a short time ago ... 3 or 4 years? maybe 5? That a bunch of us were thinking about flying down to visit Roberto in Monterrey. This is a bad situation and Roberto, I hope you get your city -- and your country -- back. In the old days, I loved Mexico, the beauty of the land and the warms of the people, the food, the tequilla. Maybe again someday, I hope.
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

Scott,
Haven't seen this metioned here, but I believe your aircraft must have an FCC Radio Station License to fly Internationally... ie. Mexico.

They haven't been required domestically for many years, so most of us don't have them. Check it out before you go, if you don't have it???

Alan
 
Re: In and out of Mexico

SNAP!

What I cannot figure out is the 1982 date. I received my license in 1980. I vividly recall the fine day when I totaled the rental Archer ... it just came out of 100 hour service and later they found that they nosegear steering had not been fully secured ... veered off the runway into a ditch at 60 knots. I was absolved, thankfully. Fun. That was October of '80 because I remember so wellcoming home and my wife sitting there with our 1.5 year old on her lap and 6 months pregnant with our second! (I was thinking of quitting and she actually MADE me go fly the next day ... amazing woman.)

Maybe I lost the first one and it was reissued. I dunno ... 30 years old now and I still carry it. I laminated it 25 years ago at least, and have re-laminated it about every 5 years.
 

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Re: In and out of Mexico

OK, you're close, but not all there... I expect your FCC operators permit is also required, so hold on to it. It doesn't expire; mine is dated 1969.

But I was referring to the FCC Aircraft Radio Station License; different. It is an aircraft document. Not positive about the details but do some research. I will too and will post if I find some real information...

OK, here's the AOPA link: http://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form605/605c.pdf
See the info at AOPA flight planning/mexico..

Alan
 
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