Hi Jeff,

 

It has been a while since I flew to Mexico (5 years?) but I am fairly sure things are the same. At least going there. Coming back it is more difficult. Basically when flying into Mexico, you need to file a flight plan with FSS. I think they needed an hours warning of your crossing. Obviously you need to open the flight plan. I think you call the flight plan a DVFR flight plan. Just be sure you file it with a FSS along the border and they will know what to do. Once you cross, you need your first stop to be an airport of entry. I don't recall Isla Guadalupe being one but I could be wrong. They are not necessarily on the border. Cabo San Lucas is one. You pay them assorted fees and you file a flight plan to your destination. If you destination is NOT a towered airport, you can just keep flying from one of these to the other until you get to another towered airport. At that point you have to file another flight plan and pay some more fees. I think the most expensive fee was the visa. The other stuff didn't cost enough to matter. 10 or 20 bucks for the other stuff as I recall. I don't recall what the visa fee was it was a per person fee for the year. Another special thing to remember is Mexico city. Small planes can't go to the main airport so don't go there. They have two others nearby to service our types.

 

When you leave Mexico, you are supposed to stop at an airport of entry. I have always done this but I have heard that others don't and they head on to the US without ever having a problem. Since it seems all these airports are still pushing paper around instead of bits, I doubt if anyone would know. You are supposed to close your flight plan upon leaving. I think you pay some small fee as well.

 

Coming back has changed. In the past you needed to notify customs of your arrival and you need to be VERY certain you don't arrive early. If you show up early and there is no customs agent to greet you, well, that can be bad. Even if you have to orbit for 20 minutes south of the border until your are sure you will not arrive early, you should do it. Also, notifying customs can be difficult. Be sure you have a number to call them. Do NOT rely on Mexico air traffic control to relay the message. They probably will do it but if they don't, it is your ass. Also do not rely on FSS to relay the message. Remember, they are probably sending an agent from down the street to meet you at the airport. They only have so many agents and they can't afford to have one sitting around in an airport all day if if nobody is crossing. They will put them to work getting cars across the border down the street. Also, make sure all numbers for customs, FSS etc are NOT 800 numbers. You usually can't call an 800 number from outside the US and trying to get the correct number once you are down there is not so easy. I found this one out the hard way.

 

Matt