Southbound (Entering Mexico)

Your first airport in Mexico must be a "Mexican Airport of Entry" (M-AOE).

1) File a flight plan with the US Flight service from your departing airport to an M-AOE
2) If you know your return date, file a second flight plan from a M-AOE to a US-AOE.
(we will discuss why on your return "Northbound" flight)
3) Open your US flight plan upon departure. (you do not close it when crossing the border, it just goes away)
4) Radio your M-AOE at the normal distance out indicating you will be landing. 
5) Land at the M-AOE. There you will be issued either a Multiple-Entry Authorization or a General Declaration. (form GCH 40) These forms allow your aircraft to be in Mexico. Required information includes:
a) Your aircraft registration
b) Your pilots license and medical certificate.
c) Your Mexican liability insurance
d) In all my years, I have never been asked for a radio license. (no problem)
(It is best to request a Multi-Entry Authorization.  The price is the same and it is good for entry the entire calendar year.  You will need two copies of all your paperwork plus the originals for this to be issued)
6) Each person in the aircraft will be required to prove their citizenship with passport, birth certificate, voters registration card, or military identification card.
7) Mexican flight service will then issue two flight plans, one from the US to that M-AOE and a second to where you are going. (yes, your US flight plan did not count)
8) Pay your landing fees. (approximately  US$7.00 for single, US$15 .00 for a light twin)
9) Depart for your next destination.

Now for the fun stuff. (policy seems to change daily)
 

Regarding Multi-Entrance Authorizations: Pilots can now obtain Multi-Entrance Authorizations at all Mexican International Airports for private flights (non-commerical) when entering Mexico.  In order to receive this authorization, the pilot must provide the original and two copies of the following documents:

 The pilot’s license

The pilot’s medical

The Aircraft Registration 

The Airworthiness Certificate

The Insurance Policy

If your paperwork is not exactly as required, a multi-entrance authorization will be denied however; you will still be able to enter Mexico on a single entry basis. 

The price for both entries (multi or single) is still NP$502.00  (US$50.00 approx depending on exchange rate at the time)

Authorizations will not be issued for persons that have trip, short term, or card insurance cards.  The policy must be valid for ninety (90) days or more from the time of entry.   

And, we understand that several “handlers” are offering to provide this permit for you for the sum that exceeds US$50.00.  This is not necessary as even though these handlers indicate that there is a lot of paperwork and processing that must be done, this is no different then what we have done in the past.  However, you must have the above paperwork, with copies, all in order or your authorization will be denied 

Regarding immigration: Inside each M-AOE, there is a red/green light with "the button". (like a traffic signal). When pushed, if it is green, there is no luggage inspection. If red, your luggage will be inspected. Sometimes the pilot pushes it for all in the aircraft, sometimes the head of each family pushes it, and sometimes all push. There is no pattern. (at many small AOEs, the red light/green light is kind of ignored. If you don't see it and are not directed to it, don't ask about it)

Regarding registration: If you are taking an aircraft down that is registered to a corporation, it is best to have a notarized letter stating that you are on a pleasure trip and not on business.

Regarding children: If you are taking a child and both parents are not with the child, you must have a notarized letter from each absent parent indicating permission to take the child across the border.

Regarding pets: Many travel with their dogs (and other pets) in Mexico.  It does not seem to be a problem, however, it would be best if you do have a record of their shots. (Some say that the bigger the dog, (in the aircraft) the shorter the inspection)

Regarding Fuel: At this time, expect to pay between US$2.50 to US$4.00 depending on if you are at a controlled airport or a private airport. In some cases, the higher fuel prices is because of the difficulty to transport and in other cases.... who knows. Fuel from offical fuel pump are clean. Take your own oil as oil is very limited.  At this time there is a gas tax based on the wingspand of the plane. For most foreign pilots, this is how it works.

 For an aircraft with a wingspan up to:

10 meters, (33’) the tax is N$70 or about US$7.00

11.1 meters, (36’) the tax is N$100 or about US$10.00

12.5 meters, (40’) the tax is N$150 or about US$15.00

Over fourty feet US$288.00

And the fee schedule goes us pt about US$1,200 for larger aircraft.

 This is not a DGAC tax and the people at the DGAC (the Airport Commanders) have no control over it.

 Regarding Dollars: Fees are always computed in Pesos and converted to dollars. The exchange always favors the one doing the conversion and exact change is rare. With little exception, you will always pay cash for airport fees and fuel. Also, your money must be "almost new". No tears or corners torn off. (or really old or wrinkled) If they don´t like the looks of it, they won´t take it.

Regarding Military: Expect to be "greeted" at all uncontrolled airports by the Mexican army. In most cases, they will spot themselves around your aircraft with their guns "at ready" until the ranking soldier determines that all is correct. He will not speak English, however, all he wants to know is what your name is, the N number of your aircraft, where you live, where you came from, and where you are going. He will also want to glance into your aircraft. This is not all bad however, you should make your passengers aware prior to landing that it is perfectly normal for five 15 year old soldiers with fully loaded automatic weapons to surround your aircraft. They will not shoot you, they are just doing their job. After inspection, it is not unusual to hitch a ride in the back of their Hum-V to wherever you are going.

Regarding flight plans: You are only issued flight plans at controlled airports. A flight plan is not what we expect in the US. It seems to be just a way to count the number of aircraft in the sky. If you do not show up, there is no checking or searching. In addition, when you file to an uncontrolled airport, there is no one to close your flight plan with, so, file your plan and depart. The only time that you will be issued a flight plan is when you arrive or depart a controlled airport. The system ignores takeoffs and landings at uncontrolled airports.

If this sounds confusing, it is not. It is just like eating an elephant. Just take a bite at a time and have a good time.

Northbound (Entering USA)

Whenever leaving Mexico, you should stop at a M-AOE. There you will surrender your general declaration. (If you have a Multi-Entry Authorization, it is not returned)  In some cases, immigration will also inspect your aircraft as well as Customs, in some locations, will request the return of your immigration papers.
There you will file a flight plan to your US-AOE and request that they advise Customs. In most cases, you will arrive before your flight plan does however, more about that later so....
1) Land at a M-AOE and surrender your general declaration (not the Multi-Entry)
2) File for a US-AOE and request that they advise US customs
3) Depart for the US.
4) Contact US Flight Service as soon as possible via radio to both amend your arrival time and open your flight plan. (remember the second flight plan you filed prior to leaving the US?)

Big rule: You must give US Customs one hour notice prior to landing, however, you can amend a flight plan with thirty minutes notice so.... by filing your return when leaving the US and then amending it in the air, you can cross thirty minutes sooner. It has been said that the fine for breaking the one hour rule can be up to US$5,000 however it have never heard of this being assessed.

5) US Flight Service will give you a squawk code to use until crossing the border.
6) Close your flight plan (in the air is ok) prior to landing at your US-AOE
7) Taxi to Customs and all must stand by your aircraft until directed otherwise by a US Customs agent. (bathroom trips must wait and it can be tough)
8) If you bring prohibited food, like fruit, bread, etc., this is an excellent time to eat up because if you don't, there is a good chance you will have to toss it.
9) To speed things up and look like someone who knows what they are doing, it is best to have your general form (8 1/2 x 11) filled out prior to landing.