Marginal VFR TBM in Costa Rica

[@cadavidovi28]

So cool to have you here in Costa Rica and experience our daily basis flying all over those small landing strips

[@RyneODonnell]

Flown with most of the charter / Part 91 guys in Costa Rica in their Quest Kodak’s. There is a private strip we land at near Alta Gracia in San Isidro de Perez Zeledón. We got inspired and so we carved out a 1,000 foot strip for a STOL plane to take off right from our farm in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. Never got around to finishing it and am now back in the states. Enjoyed this video, it’s wild flying down there in Costa Rica and most towers don’t even speak English, glad to see they did for you! Flew into Pavas many times. Nice work! Enjoy. Pura Vida

[@stevenrojas8251]

There are only 3 controlled airports and they all speak english, they have to. The fact that they speak spanish with spanish speaking pilots doesn't mean they don't know english

[@RyneODonnell]

@@stevenrojas8251 You're right, they probably do speak English, it's just not the norm down there. In the dozens of flights, I've never heard them speak English. I speak Spanish well so it isn't a problem for me but for folks listening to traffic communications, it could get confusing since the default spoken on comms is Spanish down there.

[@stevenrojas8251]

@RyneODonnell this happens all around the world, not only CR. If you go to france, most communications would be done in french expect those that require english, same in China, Russia, etc

[@RyneODonnell]

@@stevenrojas8251 You're right. I didn't mean for my original comment to be offensive. What I should have said is "how was it trying to understand other folks on the comms while in traffic?" It is no big deal, a light hearted comment. Pura Vida!

[@whiffy506]

All these challenges are a blessing when you learn how to fly here, you quickly learn how to read the weather, situational awareness, navigation, etc. Gotta be on your A game at all times. I love it here, wouldn't trade it for anything else. Interesting fact, all the local flight schools are at MRPV. I'm also surprised they didn't scold you for not knowing the published VFR routes, that's why they sent you direct RAMON. I've heard other pilots get crapped on for less.

[@ASPextra]

That flight was gnarly!

[@vincenisly8699]

Welcome to CR! Going to be following your journey, looking forward to the final results!

[@rodrigoguell9042]

nice plane, welcome to Costa Rica, pura vida

[@bladerunnerisback]

Smooth landing!

[@letsfly72x]

Fantastic video✈️

[@boydw1]

Birds, and more birds, and HOLY SHIT! 😅

[@groningenparanormaal3642]

Did I hear you transmit over the radios Matt, in the newest Baron Pilot video named Time To Spare? at 10:34

[@justbob588]

I thought the same thing when I watched that video.

[@MrAmericanworkmule]

De plane de plane Boss!

[@cougarlove8542]

Hey Matt, I don’t understand the fuel mixture you speak of. I live in Costa Rica (a disastrous red tap/disorganized mess always, but nice place to visit) I see the Caravans taking fuel all the time in San Jose (Not Pavos). They don’t use an additive. I am interested in a TBM or and EPIC but I am moving to El Salvador soon. I thought all international airports had Jet-A.

[@TheAlf61]

How about a visit to El Salvador Matt ? I’d show you around here.

[@all.terrain.pilot01]

Are you coming to peru? Let me know!!

[@salvaje20]

1:07 Puerto!

[@gewglesux]

Ya Mon Call Kingston Now ya ere? Bumbaclot!

[@clarencewiles963]

Flying

[@cfayard]

Secondies!!!

[@NeonsStyleHD]

I'm really surprised at you, because you've become quite sloppy. Your pre-landing check you didn't even do. You recited it, but didn't do it! These are the things that kill so many pilots, and you know it! How many times have we read in AOPA magazine of accidents that happened because pilots failed to do this simple thing! You can say "Oh I can remember it all!" but humans are all prone to error, and what kills you is the one time you forget something critical! That's why we use written checklists to make sure everything is done and checked! Really sad to see from a pilot I admired for so long! :(

[@tootallno]

Matt, you are doing something most cant do or affored and you are complaining about the opportunity you have. Remember that Latin and south America is drug smuglers haven, and a single pilot flying for "fun" is not something they see every day and often when they experiance it its smuglers Have a great trip.