Bear in mind that this brief is a "guide". Although the Club may update it from time to time, requirements and procedures sometimes change. Take your good humor and patience with you...

Required Paperwork

• Pilots:
  • Pilot license and current medical certificate
  • Proof of citizenship - passport, original birth certificate, voter registration card, or military ID.
  • Pilot logbook
• Passengers:
  • Proof of citizenship - passport, original birth certificate, voter registration card, or military ID.
  • Minor children - If both parents are not present, bring a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) giving permission to take the children out of the country. This even applies to your own children...
  • Pets must be more than three months old with papers/immunizations.
• Aircraft:
  • A irworthiness certificate
  • R egistration
  • R adio license
  • O perators' handbook
  • W eight & balance
  • Two-way radio - all Club planes meet this requirement.
  • Mexican liability insurance - All Club planes are insured by AIG Aviation Inc. and specifically by MacAfee and Edwards policy number 0-10784-G for flights into Mexico. MacAfee and Edwards can be reached by phone at 800-334-7950 (or by mail at: 700 South Flower Street, Suite 1216, Los Angeles, CA 90017). Activating and paying for the Mexican insurance is your responsibility. Ask them to fax the proof-of-insurance form to you; you must take it with you on your trip. MacAfee & Edwards will bill the insurance cost directly to the Club, and it will be charged to you on next month's bill.
  • Notarized letter from the Club listing you as a part owner of the plane you are flying - contact the Operations Officer.

Planning - Southbound

U.S. Flight Plan (Southbound) - File a flight plan from your departure airport (i.e., any U.S. airport) to an Airport Of Entry (AOE) in Mexico. You must select an AOE for your first Mexican landing. You won't need to cancel this plan with FSS since the U.S. merely uses it to track you across the border. The Mexican authorities don't require advance notification prior your landing other than standard position reporting and landing request via radio.

U.S. Flight Plan (Northbound) - Prefile a flight plan for your return back into U.S. airspace. It should be from your last Mexican airport, which must be an AOE. FSS will notify U.S. Customs of your intended arrival time.

No night VFR in Mexico

Money - U.S. currency is almost always accepted. However, change will usually be in pesos. It's wise to determine the exchange rate prior to departure. Although it's safest to plan on paying cash for flying expenses, most airports accept credit cards for fuel. If you do pay in cash, don't expect exact change. And, have $1 bills available for tips...

Available airport data for U.S. pilots traveling to Mexico is minimal. World Aeronautical Charts (WACs) yield some information. However, detailed information is available from private, special interest groups in the U.S. like Baja Bush Pilots (602-730-3250). They have an excellent, 500+ page book describing many of the Mexican airports in detail.

Flying South-Of-The-Border

Although you are already on an open flight plan, notify FSS prior to crossing the border.

After crossing the border from the U.S. into Mexico, your first landing must be at an AOE; follow ATC instructions regarding where to park the plane. You will go though Mexican Customs, present your aircraft and personal paperwork, possibly have your luggage/cargo examined, and fill out a variety of Mexican paperwork at three or four different stations. (If the paperwork system appears redundant and inefficient, relax. It's all part of the Mexican experience...) The paperwork will include a flight plan to your next landing point (controlled or uncontrolled), a General Declaration form for the aircraft, and a Tourist Permit for yourself and each passenger.

Flights from or to controlled (i.e., towered) Mexican airports require flight plans. Unlike U.S. flight plans, you file them at the airport prior to departure or after arrival. (If you flew from an uncontrolled airstrip, the plan is actually filed after you arrive! Flights from controlled airports require a flight plan prior to departure. Flights between uncontrolled strips don't require flight plans -- no such thing as FSS.) Flight plans are closed somewhat casually by checking in after landing. The cost of filing the plan used to involve a separate fee but now is included as a gasoline tax. Most airports also have landing fees and/or tie-down fees. Sometimes these fees are lumped together; sometimes they are separate. The cost depends upon aircraft weight, number of engines, phase of the moon, and attitude of the agent. Expect fees in the $5-$10 range - be flexible and keep smiling.

Keep you gasoline receipts. Write the exchange rate on the receipt along with the amount paid in U.S. currency. If you pay in pesos, calculate the equivalent amount in U.S. currency for Club bookkeeping. For credit against your next month's Phoenix Flyers bill, you'll need those receipts! Useful conversions: liters x 0.2642 = gallons; gallons x 3.785 = liters.

The ATCs will answer your radio calls in English. However, Mexican pilots usually call and are answered in Spanish. Hence, you may not understand other traffic communications. If you are concerned about relative aircraft positions, ask the ATC. Be alert...

Flying in Mexico is a great VFR experience. And, radio navigation aids are somewhat sparse. Expect to get wind and altimeter info from the ATCs. ATIS is usually unavailable. Many resorts and small communities are serviced by an adjacent, dirt strip with a faded windsock. Probably, most of your landings will be near sea level so density altitude isn't a problem. However, some of the unimproved strips may be shorter (and narrower) than you usually use...

Don't be surprised if armed military personnel greet you upon landing! They aren't a threat provided you aren't doing something incredibly stupid like carrying drugs or guns! They may record the aircraft "N" number as well as the pilot's name and point of departure. In most cases, the military speaks no English, and you'll converse with hand gestures, smiles, and writing.

For communications, traffic at most nontowered airports uses 122.8; air-to-air is 122.75.

Other Radio Frequencies

Airport	Approach/ Tower	Airport	Approach/ Tower
Ensenada	126.2 / 126.2	Matamoros	118.0 / 118.0
Guaymas	118.6 / 118.6	Mexicali	118.2 / 118.2
Hermosillo	121.4 / 118.7	Nogales (Mexico)	118.1 / 118.1
LaPaz	120.6 / 118.1	Neuvo Laredo	118.3 / 118.3
Loreto	118.4 / 118.4	Punta Penasco	122.8 / 122.8
Los Cabos	118.9 / 118.9	San Felipe	118.5 / 118.5
		Tijuana	119.5 / 118.1

Required Paperwork

• If you met the "southbound" requirements, you've already got everything you need!

Planning - Northbound

Your last airport in Mexico must be a Mexican AOE. Here, you will turn in your General Declaration form and file a Mexican flight plan out of the country to a U.S. AOE. Since you will be landing outside of Mexico, you don't have to close this plan.

U.S. Flight Plan (Northbound) - You must be on a U.S. flight plan to cross into our country. And, this flight plan has to be canceled like other VFR plans that terminate in the U.S.! After crossing the border, your first U.S. landing must be at an AOE to go through U.S. Customs.

Flying - Northbound

Flight plan activation - Contact FSS after departing from your Mexican AOE and prior to crossing the U.S. border to activate your previously filed flight plan. As a rule-of-thumb, amend your flight plan in the air so that you land within 15 minutes after your estimated arrival; don't arrive early. (Don't arrive late either! There could be a small overtime fee if you arrive after Customs is closed.) If you amend an existing flight plan, FSS (actually Customs) requires 30 minutes advance notice prior to crossing the border. If you file a new flight plan, they need a 60 minute notice prior to crossing the border. Be punctual! Otherwise, stiff fines could be imposed...

Squawk code - Besides opening your flight plan, FSS will assign you a squawk code for use during your border crossing. After landing in the U.S. and clearing Customs, you can use 1200 or whatever is assigned by ATC.

When you land at the U.S. AOE, taxi up to the Customs office and wait at the plane until the Customs officer gives you permission to leave the immediate area. (This includes all passengers.) You must fill out a Customs form #178 (Private Aircraft Enforcement Systems Arrival Report). And, the Customs officer will ask for aircraft and pilot documentation. Sometimes, they are very through! We suggest patience and courtesy...

If the aircraft has not been into Mexico during this calendar year (i.e., January 1 to December 31), you must purchase a Customs sticker for $25, and affix it to the aircraft.