News

 

NEWS - Updated October 14, 2008

To remain up to date on aviation News regarding flying to Mexico, flying to the Bahamas or flying to Central America, and on upcoming fully escorted FLY-IN's, visit our contact us page and send us your e-mail address.


 

NEW !! Clarification on EXPERIMENTAL aircraft flying to Mexico:

Experimental aircraft13-Oct-08 During the "Amigos de la Aviación" meeting in March of this year, the question of Experimental aircraft flying to Mexico came up and there was some discussion as to the status of Experimental aircarft entering Mexico. In September of this year, Caribbean Sky Tours made a formal request to Mexico's Civil Aviation Authority, the DGAC, requesting clarification on Experimental aircraft with US registry flying to Mexico. The DGAC has responded to our request and the following summarizes their response:

There is no restriction on Experimental Aircaft with US registry operating in Mexican airpace provided that they observe the operational specifications and limitations set forth by the FAA as well as the operating instructions and performance established in the POH/AFM. However, if the Airworthiness Certificate of the aircraft limits the operation of the aircraft only to the country of registry, then that aircraft cannot operate in Mexico.


NEW !! Mahahual airport temporarily closed for runway renovation:

Mahahual13-Oct-08 The Mahahual airport is temporarily closed for renovation and repairs. This airport suffered heavy damage during hurricane Dean in 2007 and has been in need of work for some time. In addition to major repairs to the airport building, the runway is being resurfaced and is almost complete. For questions about flying to Mexico, flying to Central America or flying to the Bahamas, in a private general aviation aircraft, contact Caribbean Sky Tours.

14-Oct-08 Today, we spoke with the Director General of the government agency that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Mahahual airport and were given a November 21, 2008 date for reopening the airport. We will provide updates as they become available.

 


 

NEW!!! Website pages showing aeronautical charts by geographic region

MexicoCentral AmericaBahamas & Caribbean

13-Oct-08 To make it easier for pilots to select the necessary charts for a trip, Caribbean Sky Tours has added 3 additional pages to its website showing aeronautical charts available for Mexico, Central America and the Bahamas & Caribbean.

Each individual web page show the VFR and IFR charts available for that region and the respective coverage map to help pilots select the correct charts for their trip. The "Charts for Mexico" page also shows the coverage territory for the new Mexican VFR WAC charts from the Mexican government along with FAA WAC charts, ONC charts and DOD IFR enroute charts.

In addition, to these three new pages, Caribbean Sky Tours has an "Aeronautical Charts Overview" page that discusses the characteristics of FAA WAC, Mexican WAC, ONC and DOD IFR enroute charts.

 


NEW!! Special production run of VFR WAC charts for Caribbean Sky Tours:Mexico WAC chart

13-Oct-08: The Mexican Government has completed an additional print production run of VFR WAC charts for Caribbean Sky Tours in order to meet the tremendous demand that we have received from the aviation community. We want to thank INEGI for supporting us in the distribution of charts to pilots in Mexico and the USA.

07-Aug-08: Caribbean sky Tours is happy to announce that the ALL NEW VFR WAC charts for ALL OF Mexico are finally available to the General Aviation community. Caribbean Sky Tours has signed a contract with the Mexican government and is now an authorized distributor for INEGI. To purchase these charts for $ 12.99 each, visit our on-line Pilot Shop.

Mexico is divided into 12 WAC chart regions and each region is named after a city within the region. There are 2 chart regions printed on each chart for a total of 6 charts. We have also added information on our “Aeronautical charts” page with a coverage area chart that shows the 12 regions. In addition, we have created 6 separate web pages for each WAC chart where you can see the Airports Of Entry (AOE) on each chart as well as "unofficial" information on PRIVATE and CLOSED airports on the chart. To access these web pages, "click" on the appropriate area of the map or on the name of the chart. We have also prepared a comparative analysis between FAA WAC, DOD ONC and Mexican WAC charts that you can download from the Aeronautical Charts page and read.

This project arose from Mexico’s  General Aviation council meetings  where Caribbean Sky Tours met monthly with Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authorities and representatives from all  of the major General Aviation associations of Mexico to identify impediments to General Aviation (foreign and domestic) in Mexico. Amongst the issues identified was the need for reliable and up-to-date VFR charts for all of Mexico. A cross departmental task force between the two aviation  agencies of Mexico’s Secretary of Communications and Transportation (DGAC and SENEAM) along with INEGI, Mexico’s statistics and mapping agency was formed and under the leadership of Gilberto Lopez Meyer, Director General of the DGAC, the project was initiated. All along, Caribbean Sky Tours has been assisting the task force and providing technical information gained over the years from the development of our Pilot’s Guide to Mexico.

 


NEW!! Comparative analysis of VFR charts for Mexico:

Mexico VFR WAC Charts13-Oct-08: Pilot Getaways magazine has printed the comparative analysis of VFR charts for Mexico completed by Caribbean Sky Tours. In order to aid pilots in determining what charts best suits their needs, Caribbean Sky Tours analyzed the different VFR charts for Mexico available to pilots. As part of the analysis, we contacted the Mexico specialists in the charting departments of the FAA and the DOD to determine their sources of data and the frequency that this data is updated. In addition, we used our experience and contacts within the Mexican government to complete the analysis.

The comparative analysis can be downloaded from the Caribbean Sky Tours website.

 

 


 

Meetings with Mexico's DGAC (Civil Aviation Department) in Mexico City

DGAC03-Sep-08 Caribbean Sky Tours met with the Director General of Mexico's DGAC and his direct reports in Mexico City last Wednesday, Sept. 3. In two separate meetings that lasted until 9:30 pm, we review a number of topics affecting general aviation flights from the USA into Mexico.

 

 

Improvements to Entry Procedures: Caribbean Sky Tours has identified a number of issues with the current entry procedures for US registered aircraft and made a formal request for improvements to these procedures in 2008. A draft of the revised procedures was reviewed with the DGAC and continues to be refined. All of our requests in this area have been reviewed at length by the Directors of the areas involved as well as by the legal department of the DGAC with favorable results. However, we must wait for an official signed procedure. The major items are:

  • Mexican insurance: Clarification to all airport commanders (comandantes) and inspectors in Mexico that the "Special" Mexican liability insurance is not required. There still exists a mis-perception by US pilots that only a Mexican issued insurance policy is allowed for flights to Mexico. This requirement was changed in 2003 and foreign issued insurance is valid in Mexico provided the policy clearly states that coverage is provided within Mexico and that the liabilty insurance coverage is at least 56,900 days of minimum wage in the metropolitan area of Mexico City (about US$ 280,000). Since most insurance policies provide coverage in Mexico with liability limits far beyond this amount, many pilots are unnecessarily buying additional insurance. By issuing new, clear instructions to ALL DGAC offices, we want to ensure that DGAC officials at all airports are properly informed. This way, when US pilots contact a DGAC office, they will receive the correct information. Any pilot who is given information to the contrary should contact Caribbean Sky Tours so that we can take the necessary action to clarify the matter.
  • Signing of Multiple Entry Permit: Allowing DGAC inspectors to sign the Multiple Entry permits so that these can be issued just as quickly as the single entry permits avoiding unnecessary delays for arriving pilots.
  • Length of time of GHC-001 Form: We have asked that the legal time period of 6 months for a GHC-001 be clearly shown in the procedures to avoid shorter time periods being assigned. There is a misconception amongst some inspectors that these should be tied to aircraft insurance policy periods which has been confirmed is not valid.
  • Issuing a Multiple Entry Permit for the following year: The law states that a GHC-001 form can be issued for 6 months or until the expiration of the Multiple Entry permit whichever comes first. This creates a problem for pilots with Multiple Entry permits wishing to stay in Mexico for the New Year. We have requested that pilots be able to purchase a Multiple Entry permit for the following year before year end so that GHC-001's can be issued for 6 months to pilots arriving at the end of the calendar year.
  • Downloading forms from the web: We have asked for the Multiple Entry permit request form, the Multiple Entry form and the GHC-001 to be made available on-line so that pilots may download these and complete them prior to arrival to speed up the entry process for all involved.

Experimental Aircraft: We have received many calls regarding Experimental aircraft. The DGAC has indicated that their position is that any Experimental aircraft that does not have a geographic limitation on its airworthiness certificate can enter Mexico freely. Aircraft that do have a geographical restriction will need to get prior approval from the DGAC. This clarification will be written into the new procedures outlined above.

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA): Caribbean Sky Tours has formally requested that Light Sport Aircraft and Light Sport Pilot's licenses be recognized and regulations drafted to allow LSA aircraft and pilots into Mexico. The DGAC is very receptive to this concept and will be analyzing these new rules. However, the Director General indicated in light of the fact that changes would have to be made to laws and regulations in order to allow LSA aircraft to operate, approval of LSA aircraft and pilots will not happen short-term.

60 month Airman Medical Certificates: We have received many calls regarding the new time period for 3'rd class medical certificates by the FAA. We have asked the DGAC to formally states their position. During the meeting it was indicated that the DGAC will recognize and accept the time period set by the FAA on a medical certificate. Text to that effect will also be written into the procedures outlined above.

Other topics: Caribbean Sky Tours is working on a number of other suggestions and recommendations to facilitate the arrival of foreign aircraft into Mexico with the DGAC and other federal departments. As these develop we will keep readers informed. However, one topic that greatly concerns the DGAC is that they have knowledge of US registered aircraft providing charter services within Mexico that do not have a US Part 135 authorization or have not properly registered their Part 135 operation with the DGAC. We have been working closely with the DGAC to ensure that steps to identify and stop these aircraft do not impact nor hinder the arrival of Part 91 aircraft into Mexico. We cannot stress enough the importance of respecting rules and rgulations of foreign countries to avoid the implementation of stricter and less flexible rules in the future.

 


Update on 406 MHz ELT requirements for Mexico

406 MHz ELT08-Sep-08 Caribbean Sky Tours met with the Director General of Mexico's DGAC and his direct reports in Mexico City last Wednesday, Sept. 3 to review the current 406 MHz ELT regulation along with a list of other items (see rest of NEWS section for more).

The Mexican Regulation; NOM-012-SCT3-2000 stipulates that after July 1, 2008, aircraft operating within Mexican airspace must have a TSO'd AUTOMATIC 406 MHz ELT aboard. The DGAC has also indicated that they would accept a TSO'd AUTOMATIC portable ELT (ELT(AP)).

On June 2, 2008, Caribbean Sky Tours formally requested an exemption for US regustered aircraft from this regulaiton. Subsequently, the DGAC issued a “Letter of Policy” CP AV-10/08, which extends the implementation of the 406 MHz ELT requirement for 1 year (July 1, 2009) unless during that year an aircraft has replaced it’s ELT or ELT battery at which time the ELT must be upgraded to a 406/121.5 MHz ELT in order to fly to Mexico. Caribbean Sky Tours also drafted a letter on behalf of AOPA in Spanish to present to the DGAC suppoprting Caribbean Sky Tours' position.

On August 20'th, Caribbean Sky Tours made a formal proposal to the DGAC that US registered aircraft be allowed to use a 406 MHz PLB in lieu of a TSO'd Automatic Fixed or Automatic Portable ELT. The justification being that US registered aircraft are not required to have a 406 MHz ELT and that a 406 MHz PLB offers similar safety benefits at a much lower cost. US registered aircraft already have an automatic 121.5 MHz ELT as required by the FAR's. A 406 MHz PLB would allow the pilot/passengers to emit a 406 MHz signal using the PLB.

On September 3, 2008, The Caribbean Sky Tours 406 MHz PLB proposal was reviewed at length with the Director General of the DGAC and his Directors along with the heads of the technical departments of the DGAC. Caribbean Sky Tours has provided the DGAC with a detailed comparison of ELT and PLB options along with updated pricing to demonstrate the options available and economic impact. The DGAC is looking for a way to facilitate the arrival of US registered aircraft while complying with the already issued regulation. We are monitoring this topic with them closely and will publish their decision as soon as it is available.

Pilot’s who have specific questions can contact Caribbean Sky Tours for more details

 


 

Yucatan PeninsulaResticted Areas MMR 201 and MMR211 in the Yucatan Peninsula opened back up to civil use.

20-Aug-08 SENEAM has informed us that NOTAM A3964/08 has been issued advising that the Prohibited airspace MMR210, located east of Merida airport and MMR211 located in the north-center of the Yucatan Peninsula have been de-activated and will only be active via NOTAM. This is good news as it opens up large tracts of beaches on the north as well as facilitating traffic to/from Cancun and the rest of the Peninsula and Mexico. Pilots should check with SENEAM when filing their flight plans or approaching this airspace to determine if MMR210 or MMR211 are active.

 

 


 

Clarification of Mexican Aviation Insurance Requirements

21-Jul-08 Unfortunately, there continues to be a lot of misinformation regarding Mexican liability insurance. In order to orient pilots who may be confused as to what the current requirements are for Mexican insurance, we have would like to share the current Mexican liability insurance requirements with pilots. In 2003, Mexico changed their regulations so that U.S. issued liability insurance that meets Mexican requirements was valid in Mexico and pilots would no longer have to purchase separate liability coverage from a Mexican insurance company for flights to Mexico. These requirements are: that you have at least US$ 280,000 of liabtility coverage, that the policy clearly states that you are covered inside Mexico and that you bring photocopies of the applicable pages of the policy that demonstrate this.

Caribbean Sky Tours has been working closely with the DGAC to identify and address any DGAC offices at airports that have not been made aware of the policy thus saving U.S. pilots from purchasing unnecessary insurance. Caribbean Sky Tours works closely with the Mexican Government to facilitate and simplify the entry process for pilots visiting Mexico. Pilots with doubts or concerns should contact Caribbean Sky Tours.


Tapachula Airport and Multiple Entry permit

Caribbean Sky Tours addressed a technical issue that was occurring with Multiple Entry permits in Tapachula. Caribbean Sky Tours intervened with the DGAC office at the airport and with the DGAC headquarters in Mexico City and the procedure has now been corrected so that the same Multiple Entry permit you obtained when entering Mexico from the U.S. is also valid in Tapachula for your return to Mexico from Central America. As all entries into Mexico from Central America must enter through Cozumel or Tapachula, it was important that this be corrected. For questions about flying to Mexico, flying to Central America or flying to the Bahamas, in a private plane, contact Caribbean Sky Tours.


 

Kohunlich AptKohunlich airport temporarily closed for runway renovation:

13-Oct-08 The Kohunlich airport continues to be closed while the airstrip undergoes repairs. We will be making formal inquiries shortly to pressure the operator. We will continue to monitor this project and advise once the airstrip is once again open. For questions about flying to Mexico, flying to Central America or flying to the Bahamas, in a private general aviation aircraft, contact Caribbean Sky Tours.

14-Oct-08 Today, we spoke with the Director General of the government agency that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Mahahual airport and were given a November 21, 2008 date for reopening the airport. We will provide updates as they become available.

 


Mexican International NOTAM

Effective February 1, 2008, any general aviation aircraft that plans to land in Mexico on a flight that originated in the Caribbean, Central America or South America, must make their first landing in either Cozumel MMCZ or in Tapachula MMTP. Both airports are operating on a 24 hour schedule.

Pilots flying to Mexico from Central America or the Caribbean can expect a more thorough inspection by the Mexican military upon landing, once the inspection is complete, you will then proceed through the normal entry procedures.. In Tapachula you will be instructed to taxi to a special ramp area for inspection. The inspection normally takes about 10-15 minutes.

For questions about flying to Mexico, flying to Central America or flying to the Bahamas, in a private general aviation aircraft, contact Caribbean Sky Tours.

 

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