Flying to Mexico

Mexico has been one of my favorite international destinations for more than 35 years for both business and personal trips. Over the years, some of the processes have changed with the United States and Mexico APIS requirements, but the overall process (especially in Mexico) is more efficient. With the right effort and homework, the procedures are easily mastered.

How to Start
I look at any international trip with the same questions: 1) What do I need to cross a border outbound; 2) What are country-specific ATC requirements for enroute and terminal procedures, especially for IFR flights; 3) What are the destination’s procedures and requirements after landing; 4) How soon after landing can I be enjoying the rest of my trip?

If this is your first time flying to Mexico, I highly recommend joining Baja Bush Pilots (BBP) or CST Flight Services (formerly Caribbean Sky Tours) – or ideally both! BBP has a rich forum, free eAPIS and Mexico APIS filings for members, and focuses primarily on Mexico and Central America. CST also covers Mexico, but offers comprehensive services to a variety of destinations, customized to the specific flight. AOPA is another excellent resource. I could write an entire issue solely on flying to Mexico, but if you start with these resources, you will soon be an expert.

I start my planning early for these flights, gathering all of the required information, including Mexican insurance coverage either within the existing license or a separate policy (check with your insurance broker), pilot licenses/medicals, aircraft registration, and of course, passports. If your airplane is owned by a company, even your own, make sure you bring along a letter that authorizes you as an individual permitted to fly that plane in Mexico. This is very important, especially if borrowing a friend’s airplane or renting one. Officially, you need an FCC license for your plane and yourself. While I have both, I’ve never been asked to show them. However they are simple to obtain. You will need a CBP aircraft decal, which is an annual permit, for transiting any of our borders, with a current price of $30. Mexico requires specific liability coverage in their country, which is usually included in the coverage area of your aircraft insurance policy. You can also purchase a separate policy for Mexico at $250 if desired. I suggest contacting your insurance broker to determine your best options.

Your favorite flight planning app or website can produce the ICAO flight plan you will need to show upon arrival or face a bit of a delay filling one out at your destination. I make a packet of three copies of the flight plan and extra copies of my FAA certificates, aircraft registration and airworthiness, Mexico insurance coverage policy, permission letter if applicable, and a form that includes my aviation information as well as the aircraft’s. The latter form facilitates completing the entry permit you purchase in Mexico. You can purchase a six-month single-entry or a calendar year multi-entry permit, which is what I always do.

Flying into Mexico
I fly both IFR and VFR in Mexico, and each has its advantages. Of course, in the turboprops and jets I fly, IFR is the norm. I’ll also occasionally fly IFR in my piston aircraft. Again, your favorite aviation app can do the IFR routing and filing for you into Mexico, and you can reach out to Leidos Flight Service as well. VFR flights are simple – just follow the guides. Flight plans within and departing tower airports in Mexico are filed directly at those airports. No flight plans are required departing uncontrolled airports or between them. IFR enroute, instrument procedures and FMS navdata can be obtained through Jeppesen with convenient trip kits. I also always carry VFR charts, which can also be obtained from BBP, CST or other services.

The U.S. ATC will do a hand-off to their Mexican counterparts, sometimes just north of the border. I have found the process simple, and the Mexican officials all speak English and are very patient and accommodating. Whether IFR or VFR, if your destination is a controlled airport in Mexico, you will need to contact their approach facility at least 40 nautical miles out. Of course, your first landing in Mexico has to be at an AOE. If you have filed a U.S. VFR flight plan to Mexico, be sure to close it with Leidos upon landing.

The Flight
On a recent flight in the Beechcraft Premier, we filed IFR from San Diego Montgomery-Gibbs (KMYF) to Obregon (MMCN), the AOE in Mexico and northwest of Alamos, our final destination on this trip. Southern California TRACON (SOCAL) transitioned us to Tijuana Approach a few miles north of the border, quickly transitioning to Mazatlán Center and an unrestricted climb to FL410. Approximately 50 miles from Obregon, we contacted the tower. Mexico has a number of VOR DME approaches, so practice at home. Flying the VOR DME RWY 13 was simple, and shortly we were taxiing to the GA ramp with helpful guidance by the tower.

We were met planeside by customs, immigration, military, and other helpful officials. The military is there to provide security and requested pilot and plane information to record the landing. Customs officials looked at our luggage and airplane while my wife Jane took our passports to Immigration in the terminal to obtain visas. Jane is also a pilot, and crew qualify for free visas valid for seven days. As crew, if you plan to stay longer, make sure you get a tourist visa or it can be a hassle later.

On your first trip in a calendar year, you purchase a multi-entry permit (approximately $90). The shorter duration permit is the same price, so it makes sense to purchase the longer permit, which gives you more reason to return. There are landing fees as well as parking charges. They are based upon the size of your aircraft and are minimal. Each airport may have a slightly different process due to staffing, so be patient and simply ask the official where to pay each one. You must pay all the fees and fuel charges before departure.

For turbine aircraft, take anti-icing additive with you if required since none is generally available. Request and make copies of fuel releases and take your fuel cards with you. From my experience, if the releases don’t match exactly, including the day you want to fuel, they won’t be accepted. If you fly a piston aircraft, no pre-planning is needed at major airports. If your destination is a smaller airport, confirm ahead of time about fuel availability by checking NOTAMs. I always fuel upon arrival to save time later. Also, take along chocks, tie-downs (if needed) and oil.

On to Alamos
On this particular trip, we completed the entire process in Obregon in less than 40 minutes then were off to Alamos. This town, and the incredible Hacienda de los Santos Resort, is definitely one of our favorites. Located 50 nm southeast of Obregon, in the Sonoran Desert, it is a small town steeped in culture and history and off the beaten path. The Alamos airport doesn’t have an ICAO code, however, Foreflight lists it as XAL. There is a small hill on the approach end of Runway 13, but with a 5,000-foot runway in good condition, it isn’t much of an issue for most aircraft. If you are staying at the resort and let them know your arrival time, they will pick you up after landing.

The airport has a large ramp space on both sides of the airport office, which can accommodate pistons, turboprops and small jets. We’ve seen a Citation Sovereign parked there on the north ramp, and it took up a substantial amount of space in that area. Daniel Aragon, the resident airport manager, and his family are very helpful when determining the best place to park. Jim Swickard, along with his family, owns the Hacienda de los Santos and also has a large hangar that can hold several smaller aircraft, even our Eclipse during another recent visit. If you are staying at the resort, and there is room, the hangar (complete with art on the walls) is sometimes available for use.

As mentioned, Alamos is definitely one of our top places to visit. Working with Jim, we helped organize a few efforts this past year to provide shoes and dental supplies to hundreds of individuals in the community and surrounding areas, especially children. Many pilots attending last year’s Hacienda de los Santos’ spring Club Pilotos gathering helped significantly with this effort. The Club Pilotos event, scheduled in the spring and fall, is a great opportunity for aviation-minded people to get together in a wonderful setting, attend a few presentations, enjoy amazing food, partake in activities from tequila tasting to hiking, and simply enjoy the environment and community.

Jim and Nancy Swickard founded the resort by purchasing a residence built in the 1600s, then expanding the property. It now offers 34 individualized suites, with the overall capacity to also host very large events, including weddings. Centrally located, within easy walking distance to the town square and businesses, it is a great base to explore the area. Hiking trails in the nearby Parque Colorado offer amazing views of the area. Jane and I rode mountain bikes along some of those trails and also explored the area by air. On one recent visit, we departed and explored the Copper Canyon, then landed at Los Mochis (MMLM) for fuel before returning to Alamos. It is straightforward to fly within Mexico when you’re there. While it involves paperwork at the controlled airports, none of it is difficult. In Los Mochis, we were fueled, paperwork completed, and on our way in 20 minutes.

Puerto Vallarta
At larger airports, such as Puerto Vallarta (MMPR), you have the option of using the General Aviation ramp or FBO. The advantage of the FBO is concierge service, with virtually all of the services you need, including customs and immigration, are coordinated for you. If you are more of a self-service pilot, then parking on the GA ramp (if there is room) will result in substantial savings but can take more time. I’ve used both, but at Puerto Vallarta, I always use the GA ramp and it works well. At other airports, when I have a lot of folks with me, I use an FBO. It is best to contact them before your flight to learn their fees and make your decision. If you want to store your airplane in a hangar, there are few options in Mexico, and I’ve found the rates to be reasonable when available. Rental cars and taxis are available at the MMPR airport. Rideshares such as Lyft and Uber cannot access the airport directly.

Enjoying Mexico
There are many wonderful places to enjoy around Puerto Vallarta (PV), including the city itself and just north in Nuevo Puerto Vallarta, where the large Vidanta resort complex is located with every amenity and is great for families. There are multiple resorts, each with its own character.
We also enjoy more traditional beach stays, and one of our favorites is Sayulita north of PV. Along the way to Sayulita is a very popular area, Punta Mita, with great golf courses and luxury resorts and villas. Sayulita is more relaxed, with nice beaches for walking and surfing. It is easy and safe to walk around town at all hours exploring the variety of restaurants, shops and markets. San Pancho to the north was very enjoyable and offered great beaches, restaurants, hotels
and shopping.

Returning Home
The end of our visits to Mexico always come too early. You have to exit the country from an AOE. In the case of flights home from Alamos, for example, you need to clear at Obregon (MMCN), Guaymas (MMGM) or a comparable airport. At the AOE, you pay departure fees, file the international flight plan and you are set. As we did when departing the U.S., we filed an eAPIS report to return. In the U.S., you need to land at an AOE or Landing Rights Airport (LRA). I have an Overflight Exemption and can proceed further inland than the border to clear customs and immigration, which is useful especially when returning to an airport that is closer to my final destination. Returning to Montgomery (KMYF), I frequently use Brown Field (KSDM) in San Diego to clear U.S. Customs. It is very important to also call customs at the airport where you will arrive to confirm your arrival before departing from Mexico. In some cases, in particular Landing Rights Airports (LRA), KSDM for example, you must contact them for “approval” to be processed through customs at those locations. Check with the appropriate U.S. Customs office to avoid any issues.

Summary
Flying is always an adventure, and piloting an aircraft in Mexico is no exception. I’ve enjoyed flying on many international trips, and I find it interesting to explore aviation in different environments. Mexico offers a variety of destinations from the tropics to the deserts, each offering unique character. With some patience and extra planning, Mexico offers pilots and their flying companions an experience they will definitely want to repeat.