International Flight

Here are some pictures from a trip to the country of Mexico. Arriving in Mexico can be an interesting experience. When we landed in Mexico we were met by our handler ( a native whos job it is to make sure your paper work is in order ). Along with the handler, were several armed soldiers. There is a lot of paperwork to have onboard the aircraft when you arrive in Mexico. You'll need a passport, pilot certificate, medical, custom documents and a Mexican Insurance Certificate to name just a few. If you're planning to fly to Mexico make sure you get some help from the FAA, NBAA or AOPA. Once the soldiers had seen our paperwork it was time to drag all the bags out of the aircraft so a drug dog could sniff them. During this time the handler took the flight crew's passports, pilot certificates and medicals. He took them away, I'm assuming that it was to fill out more paperwork, and they were gone for a good deal of time. This is a scary step of the process. Standing there on the tarmac of a foriegn country is no place to be without your pilot credentials. Eventually they were returned and we went on our way.

Going back to the US was a little less complicated. The handler will fill out your flight plan. You have to estimate the time you will cross the ADIZ. One note, make sure that you have a credit card that works in Mexico ( for the fuel load ). If you use multi service, make sure the N number on your aircraft matches the N number on the card or they won't take it. If you have to use a personal credit card for fuel, most likely there will be an extra charge for that. Ours was 500 US dollars. If you have enough cash to get the fuel load you need it will save you a little money. Keep in mind that there is a ground control fee at some airports and that has to be paid in cash.

The pictures are mostly of the storms we encountered enroute. These storms were near the Houston area as we made our way towards the Gulf of Mexico. We were flying at FL390.