Answers for Pilots

What you should know before you head south

It's close to home, but worlds apart. It's a foreign country, but it's right next door. Its rules and regulations are similar, but they vary greatly. It's Mexico — and like most of Central America, it's a great destination for general aviation aviators who do their homework before they go.

Among the most valuable resources that the aviation specialists on the AOPA Pilot Information Center can offer to members are International Flight Bulletins, information on specific airports and ports of entry submitted by members who have flown in those areas recently. A very recent visitor to Mexico and Central America is AOPA Aviation Technical Specialist Kitty Pultorak, who offers this advice to fliers to the Central America area: "Know before you go."

Pultorak was one of several pilots who flew throughout Mexico and Central America with the Baja Bush Pilots (a pilot association based in California) on a 10-day excursion in November (see " Postcards: Panama...and More," June 1999 Pilot). It was her first experience in the area, and while she offers cautions such as "Take extra cash — small bills — for unexpected taxes and fees," and "Be prepared for customs agents who carry guns [the area is toughening its response to drug trafficking]," she says, "It's worth the adventure!"

Another pilot on the trip was Ron Pate, AOPA 613772, of El Paso, Texas, who flies often in Mexico and Central America. "Flying in Mexico and into Central America is just spectacular," says Pate, the owner of a Beech Bonanza. "To me, it's like what flying in the United States must have been like in the 1930s and '40s. There's a very laid-back atmosphere, and the skies are virtually wide open. The only other traffic is the airlines, and they're at 31,000 feet calling in position reports."

Pate agrees that flying in and out of Central America presents different concerns than flying in the United States. "Most importantly you have to remember that you are a guest in a foreign country," he says. "If you play the 'Ugly American,' you're going to have problems." Pate suggests obtaining trip kits from AOPA and Jeppesen, double-checking information such as DVFR flight plans, and reconfirming with flight service which airports are ports of entry. "We think everyone is just like us, but there are different rules in a foreign country. You need to go with the flow when you're flying in Mexico and Central America," he says. For example, night VFR flight is not allowed in Mexico.

AOPA offers an International Operations Portfolio for pilots interested in flying outside of the continental United States. Customs regulations vary in other countries, especially in Mexico and Central America. "If you expect the same experience that you've had in Canada when you fly to Mexico, you'll see it's not quite the same," says Pultorak. Included in the portfolio are AOPA's Guide to Customs; flight planning guides for the areas where you are interested in flying; customs regulations; customs arrival and departure forms; survival equipment lists; and a list of International AOPA organizations (IAOPA). Additionally — and probably most valuable — are the flight bulletins submitted by member pilots.

"The pilot reports offered through AOPA give good information from those pilots who have flown there recently, such as typical costs like landing fees," says Pultorak. "They can be invaluable because it is information that is up-to-date and from a fellow pilot's perspective."

Being prepared for flying into and out of Central America can mean the difference between an enjoyable south-of-the-border trip and a potentially dangerous one. "Things are constantly changing in Mexico," notes Pultorak. AOPA's member-assisted reports offer the best information and answers for pilots flying south. "There can be a lot of inconsistency in the regulations, and the more that you know, the better prepared you will be."

As an AOPA member, you have access to the best resource anywhere for information and answers for pilots. The AOPA toll-free Pilot Information Center gives you direct access to specialists in every area of aviation. The center, 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672), is available to members from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. All of the information mentioned is also available on the Web ( www.aopa.org) .

For more information on traveling in Mexico, see " Postcards: Baja Bound" in this issue.