Page 15 - Nov23T

Customs at Santa Bárbara Regional Airport (MM35) in Mexico.
first journey in a long time to Mexico. We have tried two or three times before but never got any takers, not enough to create a journey there.”
Air Journey is leading a trip to the country for the first time in many years this month. The ten- day guided journey, entitled the Hidden Jewels of Mexico, has pilots set to fly their cabin-class air- craft to Cancun International Airport (MMUN), Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (MMQT), and, Mérida International Airport (MMMD) from Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI). Pouille explained that this is a long overdue return to the country Air Journey has been looking forward to for some time.
“Keep in mind, we do go all the way around the world [with our guided journeys] and go to many, many places. We have our guidelines on what an airport needs to be deemed safe. For this upcoming journey, the three airports we will be using meet the guidelines of being ICAO-approved – with 24-hour security and other safety aspects. If we do our groundwork research and work with the local people, as we have, we expect there to be no surprises.”
Everyone read online forums about all the crazy stories, and there was a strong perception that if you flew there, your airplane would be stolen or thrown in jail. But the vast majority of all the stories you hear are urban legends. I would say that many of the airports in Mexico are just as safe or safer than your municipal airports here in the United States,” he boldly claimed.
“In Mexico, virtually every airport is guarded 24/7 by the military. Even as a pilot and owner of an airplane, you can’t just walk right up to it. You have to show your identification, pilot’s license, etc. So, it’s heavily regulated and safe, and many of the stories you hear are not true. Situations occur, though, when pilots fail to present the proper documentation. For instance, and I’ve seen this happen
Ranferi Denova is an instrument-rated pilot who is origi- nally from Mexico. Combining his love for aviation and his homeland, Denova helps pilots fly south of the border through his company, Fly GA Mexico. He hosts an annual fly-out to a different Mexican destination each March to help educate and evangelize fellow pilots about the joys of flying there.
When asked whether it is safe to fly to Mexico without hesitancy, he enthusiastically replies – yes! Why is that?
“Safety in Mexico is a very valid question, and I get asked about it constantly. Before making my first flight there in 2016, I had difficulty finding a flight school, club, or any- one who would let me rent a plane and take it to Mexico.
a couple of times if you fly to Mexico with an expired reg- istration or don’t have insurance (at least liability), that’s a big deal. In most cases, they’ll impound your airplane until you can solve the issue, and there will be a hefty fine. As long as you have all your documents in order, it’s easy and safe to f ly to Mexico.”
For those who have not flown to Mexico, there is one destination that Denova almost always recommends is Monterrey Del Norte Airport (MMAN). He asserts that this facility, roughly 292 nautical miles southwest of Austin, Texas, is very friendly to general aviation pilots.
“This is one of the easiest airports and cities to visit, especially for those in Texas. It’s an international airport,
On the ramp at Aeropuerto Internacional Quetzalcóatl (NLD).
November 2023 / TWIN & TURBINE • 13