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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 bor- der. I have found the process simple, and the Mexican offi- cials all speak English and are very patient and accommodating. Whether IFR or VFR, if your des- tination 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 Ob- regon (MMCN), the AOE in Mexico and northwest of Alamos, our final destina- tion 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 taxi- ing to the GA ramp with helpful guid- ance by the tower.
We were met planeside by customs, immigration, military, and other help- ful 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 Immi- gration 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 du- ration permit is the same price, so it
Beach of Punta Pescadero.
makes sense to purchase the longer permit, which gives you more rea- son 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 com- pleted the entire process in Obregon in less than 40 minutes then were off to Alamos. This town, and the incred- ible Hacienda de los Santos Resort, is definitely one of our favorites. Lo- cated 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
Rich’s Top Tips
• Join Baja Bush Pilots or CST Flight Services
• Carry Multiple Copies of Aircraft and Pilot Documents
• Log Book Entries:
- 406 Mhz ELT Installed In-Aircraft - 1090 Mhz ES ADS-B Out
- Current Annual
• Take Tie-downs and Chocks
• Verify CBP Notification Procedure for Return to U.S.
• Relax and Have Fun!
March 2022 / TWIN & TURBINE • 9