Insurance Discount May Pay for Your BPPP Training - American ...

Be Aware
Crossing
the
Border
By George Loegering
TABLE A
A Department of Homeland Security Aircraft Decal;
calendar year annual payment............................................ $27.50
B DHS, Customs and Border Protection;
Electronic Advance Passenger Information System................... $0.00
C FAA round robin flight plan
(conventional for border crossing to/from the U.S.)................... $0.00
D MacAfee and Edwards Inc;
Mexican Insurance Specialist (based on 4 days)...................... $16.00/day
E Reservations (numerous sources
but there are resorts with landing strips)............................... ~$150.00/day
F Money Exchange (I used Wells Fargo) fee included in rate at bank
G Mexican Landing Fee (depends on size, etc. –
add daily parking if at a major airport).................................. $12.77
H Mexican Aircraft Entry Fee (like the DHS decal)
annual or one trip........................................................... $54.60
I
Mexican Passenger/Pilot Visa Fee
(pilot & 3 passengers) ..................................................... $94.80
J Mexican Exit Fees
(not including the landing fee, see g).................................... $18.90
K U.S. Customs Service (assumes landing at
an approved airport during normal hours).............................. $0.00
I
have enjoyed flying my
Bonanza to Mexico for
relaxing vacations, historical
attractions, and deep sea
fishing for over 40 years. Some of
my friends facetiously suggested
I went so often I must be a drug
smuggler! But aircraft entry and
tourist requirements have changed
drastically for departure and
arrivals into the U.S. and Mexico.
The initial attraction years ago,
of bargain prices for unique
accommodations, avgas, and
activities in Mexico, is no longer.
But Mexico is still very competitive
compared to the world market.
U.S. pilots will always enjoy the
closeness, good weather, scenic beauty,
and attractions that flight in a private
aircraft to Mexico will bring. So when
you are ready for a real adventure,
prepare with a thorough review of
border crossing technicalities. This
article, based upon an October 2012
flight from Arizona to the Cabo San
Lucas “East Cape” area, may help you
get started. Note that there were a total
of four planes on this trip, each flying
different times and making different
52 AMERICAN BONANZA SOCIETY JANUARY 2013