Flying Into Mexico from the US - InTheHangar Ep 140

[@Thatflyguy747]

I took a turbo 182 from the El Paso area all the way down to Oaxaca and Huatulco a couple months ago. First time ever flying outside of the US. Just like this guy, did a ton of research and read all the articles I could find online. Went the IFR route because the T182T was capable of reaching the MEAs and I didn't feel like I understood Mexican airspace good enough to go VFR. Even after doing it once, I still have a lot of unanswered questions but it was such a good experience! Definitely makes you realize how amazing the freedom of aviation is in the US.

[@fdzaviation]

Good thing you did. There's no such thing as flight Following in VFR, and most places have their own VFR procedures - though they are published, they're very hard to get.

[@barleypaw]

I do not have a licence yet but my pipe dream is to fly my family down to Cabo. First the flight plan mentioned only pertain to touch and go?

[@nathanslandings1982]

How much were all of your landing fees.

[@caramelo540]

Freedom of aviation because you’re a US citizen… Imagine if a Mexican try to fly in the US, he’ll encounter the same difficulties as you flying into Mexico

[@gaflyer7329]

Wonderful information. Mexico and Cuba are in my bucket list to fly in my Cherokee 180.

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

Branhder, here's a short video of my GA trip to Cuba in 2016 with links to logistical details... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHuQq3udodV-qdk. Wayne (DA40 KSBA)

[@gaflyer7329]

@@GeezerGeekPilot thanks for the video and info. You sure hit the right window lol happy flying

[@1shARyn3]

My "next-door" hangar neighbor goes back and froth to Mexico at least 3-4 times each month. Loves it down there. ((Says he NEEDS to get in his flying before he hits 90 and can't fly anymore)).

[@Hawker900XP]

Been to Mexico hundreds of time without any problems. Dealing with US Customs coming back can occasionally be a pain.

[@gregcoomans274]

I'm in the Phoenix Arizona area so Mexico is only a short trip from here. The information Ranferi provided was good, but there was no mention of the most important thing you need to cross the border. You must file an eAPIS manifest for the US and Mexico, and that's where being a member of the Baja Bush Pilots will help.

[@ranferi64]

Excellent point and observation! eAPIS (both for the US and Mexico) is a very important step. I highly recommend FlashPass, they make the process very easy and quick.

[@yv295c]

That's correct for the overfly fees. The thing is that we don't get charged here, because with fund the ATO via the fuel tax. Airlines or private planes that are overflying the US (let's say Air Canada from Mexico to Canada), have to pay air nav fees! I will tell you from my previous roles is a pain to audit this for airlines! In fact, IATA has a handbook for this and many of the modern flight planning tools take these charges into consideration to optimize the routes (minimizing total trip cost).

[@carloscruz7317]

Bienvenidos! Well done Christy

[@jesusdelagarza9653]

I’ve been a fan of yours for a few years! It’s great to see this episode talking about Mexico! I fly normally one’s a month Tampico Mexico you are very welcome in Tampico. Anything you may need we can help

[@KevinSmithAviation]

Great episode Dan and Christy. Thank you for the wealth of knowledge the two of you and your guests bring to us. Y'all are awesome! 🤘🇺🇸🛩️

[@MichaelLloyd]

Cabrito tacos are the bomb. My brother-in-law and his family introduced me to them long ago. When their mom was alive I watched her make tortillas...but not for long, she would run us boys out of the kitchen pretty quick lol

[@jhaedtler]

Taco's Pacific coast, any small villages! The very best!

[@deani2431]

Further to earlier comment, this does not even touch on EAPIS. That in and of itself is a whole procedure fraught with issues should one get it wrong (ask me how I know:)

[@ranferi64]

eAPIS can be a whole episode all by itself! FlashPass is a strong recommendation of mine!

[@glennwatson]

That flight plan situation seems crazy. Also that airspace stuff would take a bit of study.

[@jonathanszarzynski]

I have been waiting for a video about this topic. Thanks!

[@ranferi64]

Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@jonathanszarzynski]

@@ranferi64 what is the best/easiest airport to get in and out of for my maiden mexico flight? 1 day round trip? Also, where should I go for an overnight, and do you have any airport/hotel/ground transportation combo recommendations? I'm in a skylane and would land and fill up at the border before crossing.

[@ranferi64]

@@jonathanszarzynski depending where in the country you are at, if you're in Texas like I am, I would recommend Monterrey Del Norte (MMAN). You can get an Uber onsite, or a taxi into the city. All the big hotel chains that you can think of are available in Monterrey, with lots of places to explore, ear, or sight-see. Send me an email via my website, or find me on facebook if you want more details!

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

@@jonathanszarzynski, if you're in the Southwest or West Coast, I'd suggest San Felipe (MMSF) in the Baja. Here's a brief presentation on that... bit.ly/intl-multi-day

[@jimydoolittle3129]

Christy did awesome 👏 “ Bienvenidos “ ❤️. Fly to Mexico so many times and is definitely easy after the third time , sometimes is harder to fly back into the US , Highly recommended, is beautiful everywhere , but you need to go to Cancun , and the entire Baja , ✈️ Stay away from FBOs

[@pilotchristy]

Thank you! ☺️

[@ele4853]

ADS-B international frequency is 1090MHz and domestic is 978MHz. Meets the MOPs of DO-260B and DO-282B. uAvionix has the best ADS-B in and out value out there, together with any mode C transponder you are good to go to Mexico, Canada etc...Got to be honest here, I actually was thinking about flying to Mexico. But, after listening to our friend here, I don't see any reason! LOL

[@MulveysMooney]

Looks like Dan and Christy are not flying to Mexico anytime soon:-) Judging from the look on Dan's face he will be going commercial. Lol! My wife and I want to fly down to Mexico and Honduras to visit friends there. Time to do some research! A lot of research. Haha!

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIl-v9h]

I’d want to do a group flight for my first time flying into Mexico. After that I think I’d feel comfortable going solo

[@robolson9924]

Nobody mentions what form we need to apply for a radio station license. Can anyone confirm that it is an FCC Form 605???

[@jhaedtler]

20 years ago we used to fly to Mexico 4 to 5 times a winter !Unfortunately both countries have made it so hard compared to what we used to do! Bottom line it is all about how much money you governments can make!

[@gtr1952]

Very interesting!! But the "elephant in the room" question was not asked? Do you get your plane searched on either end? Customs in/out? Here and MX? Don't want to get caught with any illegal taco's for sure! 8) Funny, but it's a very real, and serious problem. 8[ --gary

[@ranferi64]

You almost always do. Searching the airplane and baggage is usually the job of Customs, that would be CBP on the USA side, and "SAT" on the Mexico side.

[@fdzaviation]

@@ranferi64 True, and BTW SAT is the equivalent of IRS hehe.... Oh and the Army nowadays does it too down here in Mexico in a limited manner, depending on the airfield.

[@sergeylipovetsky2216]

Interesting. Would like to hear about Canada in future as well. Bummer that you have to go Garmin ADS-B out just to cross the border. Remarkable how freedom that was given once is being taken away introducing new rules and regulations. And Mexico doesn't even have the radar coverage between airports, let alone ADS-B towers, so why all of a sudden it matters so much wether you have ADS-B or not?

[@loveguitar2x]

Question: 1. Can you fly Experimental airplane? -Like a RV8 2. Can you fly at Night or IFR with a single-engine airplane?

[@gregcoomans274]

No, you can't currently fly an Experimental airplane into Mexico.

[@loveguitar2x]

@@gregcoomans274 yeah I believe that was sort of a new ruling that came out of nowhere... gotta love 3rd world countries

[@erinchillmusic8930]

More reasons to cherish and protect GA aviation in the U.S. Imagine rubbing your back against the wall outside of three different offices to get three different paper stamps from beaurocrats just to go for a little VFR flight. Ridiculous.

[@michaeljohn8905]

Oh man I am so glad I saw this we are planning a trip from Argentina to the United States and planning on going through a lot of countries I wish I could speak to one of you guys anyone is willing I would love to ask some questions

[@TakingOff]

You can probably find Ranferi on Facebook.

[@nathanslandings1982]

Why am I being charged 3400$ to land and clear customs in Mexico? That was the handlers fees ?

[@maxbootstrap7397]

How about bush pilots who never land at airports ... always land out in the middle of nowhere ... in the desert, on remote empty dirt roads, and etc. Oh, and camp out in the middle of nowhere for the night then leave next day?

[@sqlpilot9711]

Dan needs Flying EARS

[@Alexandre-zv8gd]

ELT, radio station license, insurance. Would anybody check that in Monterrey? Who in Mexico will be looking at that, probably no one right?

[@lighty9023]

Ramp checking you at any airport to find the smallest document mistake and charge you a correction "Fee" would be very attractive to a lot of Mexican officials

[@deani2431]

For a non-spanish speaking gringo such as myself, the risk reward ratio is way out of balance. Between the drug issue and the cartels, as well as the problem with "officials" who are on the take, a pilot is in a very precarious position. Heaven forbid you bust a reg, can't speak Spanish, and don't have enough US cash to pay your way out. The stress of an engine out (at night, over the North Atlantic:) would pale by comparrison.

[@mrno_name9518]

3:29

[@jameschristiansson3137]

$2000 peso tacos.

[@jimydoolittle3129]

👏🤣 i get it , equivalent to the 100 Dlls Hamburger 🍔 🌮 ✈️

[@waukeshapilot6462]

Bottom line: They Just Want Money.

[@DustinLaughs]

Moral of story: Don’t fly to Mexico. Bahama islands are a lot easier.

[@jucava00]

It seems that way, you need the cbp sticker and the readio license

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

Flying into the Bahamas is maybe 10% easier, but 90% of the logistics are identical. Wayne (DA40 KSBA)

[@jimydoolittle3129]

It might be , but Bahamas is not even close to Mexico multiple attractions ❤️✈️

[@FlyingNDriving]

Sectional leggings are so tacky

[@caseybhargraves3696]

You’re jealous cause they look better on her than you.

[@pilotchristy]

Don’t knock it til you try it! They’re super comfortable. 😎

[@4395R]

@@pilotchristy I think they are great, I bought those for my aspiring pilot daughter. She loves them

[@georgemelcer]

I dig it