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01-20-2014, 08:39 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Jesup, GA
Posts: 181
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Flight to Costa Rica and Panama....
I've been looking into a possible flight down south for our "winter fishing trip". GA to Key West then Cancun, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica then possibly Panama. I've been using Caribbean Sky Tours as an information resourse. Rick has been a huge help..... We have been flying to the Bahamas for years and love it. The more I learn about this trip however, the less I think it's gonna happen..... Overflight fee's, landing fee's, ramp fee's, handler fee's, landing permits, "in country" flight permits...... and it seems to just keep going on and on and on........I still think it would be a true adventure.....but, It makes me realize just how great our country is!
http://www.caribbeanskytours.com/index.html
http://shop.caribbeanskytours.com/ca...?categoryId=31
__________________
RV-8
Phase 1 Flight Testing
Garmin IFR by Stein
Lycoming IO-360 (180HP)
MT 3 Blade CS
N84TH / Registered and GA sales tax paid! $@&!;:?)(!
N3159F C-182 @ KJES
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01-20-2014, 02:09 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KSGJ / TJBQ
Posts: 2,039
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sapeloson
I've been looking into a possible flight down south for our "winter fishing trip". GA to Key West then Cancun, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica then possibly Panama. I've been using Caribbean Sky Tours as an information resourse. Rick has been a huge help..... We have been flying to the Bahamas for years and love it. The more I learn about this trip however, the less I think it's gonna happen..... Overflight fee's, landing fee's, ramp fee's, handler fee's, landing permits, "in country" flight permits...... and it seems to just keep going on and on and on........I still think it would be a true adventure.....but, It makes me realize just how great our country is!
http://www.caribbeanskytours.com/index.html
http://shop.caribbeanskytours.com/ca...?categoryId=31
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Rick is an encyclopedia of information and help if you want to do this. He can be your handler for just about everything you might need. I can highly recommend him. Or better yet, join one of the many escorted trips they put on during the year. It will give you the experience while having someone to "hold your hand" during the trip.
If you want little hassles, then you need to go the tourist route and fly commercial. If you want to be an aviator/traveler then GA, with all the hassles, is the way to go at least once in your life. You might get bumps in the road but they make for much better "war stories" than going commercial with the rest of the masses.

Last edited by GalinHdz : 01-20-2014 at 02:14 PM.
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01-20-2014, 02:46 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Edgewater, FL. KSFB
Posts: 1,118
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I am enjoying the conversation about Mexico travel. I have sailed to Isla Mujeres a couple of times and would really like to fly there someday. It does not list an airport but they do have a small strip there. I like Isla much better than the tourist spots like Cancun or Cozumel and I would prefer not to fly into Cancun to get there. Galin, you sure make it sound do-able.
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01-20-2014, 02:59 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 696
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkW
I am enjoying the conversation about Mexico travel. I have sailed to Isla Mujeres a couple of times and would really like to fly there someday. It does not list an airport but they do have a small strip there. I like Isla much better than the tourist spots like Cancun or Cozumel and I would prefer not to fly into Cancun to get there. Galin, you sure make it sound do-able.
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Mark, I am in the same "boat" as you regarding enjoying the conversation. I'm pretty sure your first stop when you arrive in Mexico must be at an airport of entry. I'm pretty sure both Cancun or Cozumel are airports of entry and from what I've heard, Cozumel is somewhat more GA friendly. Galin is the only person who I've heard that's actually landed there who thought it wasn't a real big deal. Acquaintances of mine said they spent the better part of a day getting thought all the hoops.
Regarding a handler, I asked Rick about it once and had sticker shock. If there was enough business to warrant it, I'd move there are be a handler for half his fee?but I keep thinking there's a better solution and I might work on it the next time I'm down there.
FWIW, there may come a time in about a year when I think it would be a blast to get a group to go down to Cozumel in RVs. I've been laying some ground work and need to do some following up. FWIW, once you get off the front few blocks by the cruise ships, the rest of the place is pretty nice. The back of island is nearly deserted and there's a couple of good Tiki bars (and at least one to avoid). Plus, there's a great variety of food.
__________________
Don Alexander
Virginia
RV-9A 257SW Purchase Flying - O-320, Dynon D100
RV-9A 702DA (reserved) Finish Kit IOX-340
www.propjock.com
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01-20-2014, 03:38 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Molalla, Oregon
Posts: 955
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I'm enjoying this informative thread, too! My wife and I have been down to Cabo twice in the last few years, by commercial airline. It's beautiful there, we had a fabulous time. When my RV is finished, I dream of flying it down there. A group would be even better. It's great to have knowledgeable friends on here to help when the time comes.
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01-20-2014, 08:33 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KSGJ / TJBQ
Posts: 2,039
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don
FWIW, there may come a time in about a year when I think it would be a blast to get a group to go down to Cozumel in RVs. I've been laying some ground work and need to do some following up.
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This is the best way of doing a trip like this. We go to the Eastern Caribbean every year with a group of airplanes and have a blast. If you get a group together, handling charges per airplane drop fast since each additional airplane it isn't much extra work.
here is a link to photos of our last trip, Dec 12 - 23.

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01-20-2014, 08:38 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KSGJ / TJBQ
Posts: 2,039
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkW
I am enjoying the conversation about Mexico travel. I have sailed to Isla Mujeres a couple of times and would really like to fly there someday. It does not list an airport but they do have a small strip there. I like Isla much better than the tourist spots like Cancun or Cozumel and I would prefer not to fly into Cancun to get there. Galin, you sure make it sound do-able.
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It is do-able. But remember on a trip like this, "you are not in Kansas anymore" so "semper gumby"!

Last edited by GalinHdz : 01-22-2014 at 03:01 PM.
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03-15-2014, 12:29 PM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 564
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mvidalr
Hello people,
From what my peers tell me, there are basically two ways to file the Mexican eAPIS so far.
One is through fltplan.com, and from what they told me it is basically the same as filing normal US eAPIS, plus some new fields which are related to flights in and out of Mexico. So it appears that fltplan.com will walk you throughout the filing process.
The second way is through the ARINC system. Follow this link for those who already use ARINC for a complete walkthrough (other users will also benefit of knowing the process).
(If the above pdf doesn't work, shoot me a PM)
They also told me that Mexican authorities haven't really adopted this new feature, and therefore don't really care so far weather you file it or not. But the law was passed Jan. 1 and not doing it, regardless of the importance, is not worth the risk.
So, from what I understand, because this lack of information from the authorities, us pilots are lost in IMC with icing conditions all around.
I will post more updates as they become available.
Hope this helps.
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We just returned from Baja as part of a group of 62 aircraft and 200 people with Bushpilots. None of us used or were asked about Mexican eApis. Several planes had landed at other Mexican airports before joining the group at Loreto MMLT. Not a peep about eApis. No one at Loreto knew when, or if, eApis would become effective in Mexico. Although FltPln continues to post scary messages and charge for filing, Mexican eApis appears to be non-existent at this time.
Jim Berry
RV-10
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03-16-2014, 07:20 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Posts: 121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N15JB
We just returned from Baja as part of a group of 62 aircraft and 200 people with Bushpilots. None of us used or were asked about Mexican eApis. Several planes had landed at other Mexican airports before joining the group at Loreto MMLT. Not a peep about eApis. No one at Loreto knew when, or if, eApis would become effective in Mexico. Although FltPln continues to post scary messages and charge for filing, Mexican eApis appears to be non-existent at this time.
Jim Berry
RV-10
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Hello Jim,
Glad to know you and your friends made it safe on your trip to Mexico. Looking forward to see some pictures about your experience!
As for the eAPIS, that is exactly what's going on right now: nobody (authority-wise) knows what the deal is with the new 'requirement'.
I know this because I am a Mexican pilot based in Mexico (MMAN) flying somebody's N-number airplane. We fly to the US and Mexico on a regular basis and yet no one has made any comments about it. The only requirement so far, by "comandancia" (airport authority) is the "entradas multiples" (multiple entries) that you all might already be well familiar with.
I will let you all know as soon as I hear anything about the filing of the Mex eAPIS, so you can continue to enjoy flying into Mexico without any issue.
Remember that the fish gets caught by its own mouth, so try not to mention anything unless otherwise asked.
Cheers
__________________
Miguel Vidal
EAA #1133587
RV-8 SB Wings in Monterrey, Mexico
N511MV Registered
MyKitLog
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03-23-2014, 10:02 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Posts: 121
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Read this month's edition of FLYING magazine
Hello all,
I really recommend reading the article titled "Crossing Borders: How-to guide for visiting neighboring countries" by Pia Bergqvist, published on this month's edition of FLYING magazine. (red Kodiak on the cover).
Very nicely written article about items discussed in this thread, including US and Mexican APIS, fees, general requirements, as well as flying into Canada and the Bahamas.
Cheers
__________________
Miguel Vidal
EAA #1133587
RV-8 SB Wings in Monterrey, Mexico
N511MV Registered
MyKitLog
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