I have always carried a US printed blanket letter from the FAA authorizing my amateur built aircraft into US airspace . Never been asked for it though.
>>A Kitplanes article on cross border experimental travel would be great.<<
Try this.
https://www.kitplanes.com/a-good-samaritan/
"I am an American so I don't have to follow these rules. It is corruption and they are just trying to get a kickback."This is why so many people are sticklers for the rules - so we don't all get affected by draconian actions due to one knucklehead doing something silly. May not apply in this case, but I'm guessing it might.
"I am an American so I don't have to follow these rules. It is corruption and they are just trying to get a kickback."
Having spent years working at a US Embassy you can't imagine how many times we heard that, or something along those lines.
Take a rental car from the US into Mexico sometime. You're guaranteed to see corruption up close.
Take *any* car into Mexico...when I was in college, we used to just factor in the 20 bucks to "tip" the federales at the border when we drove to Rocky Point.
Given the fun we had on spring breaks there, it was worth every penny .
Take *any* car into Mexico...when I was in college, we used to just factor in the 20 bucks to "tip" the federales at the border when we drove to Rocky Point.
Given the fun we had on spring breaks there, it was worth every penny .
That was then, this is now.
I fly to Mexico all the time with Myron on Flying Samaritan trips. I go in my certificated spam can Piper Saratoga though, so haven't had to think twice about any experimental aircraft issues.
I can tell you that the paperwork can seem daunting at first, simply because they are foreign procedures. So I understand the concerns of pilots new to Mexico flying. I was in your shoes before. But it's basically a once-per-year thing, and after you have the multi entry permiso, subsequent trips are not administratively onerous. I absolutely love flying there. Checking in/out at a port of call is no big deal, and totally worth it in my humble opinion.
Remember, stereotypes die hard. Some people in other nations are convinced that Americans are Racist Bigots. Doesn't mean we all are.
Graft and bribes are well known issues in Mexico. Pointing it out isn't racism or bigotry.
I just flew into Mexico last month (in a Cessna 210). Unfortunately, experimentals are still forbidden.
Let's all hope the restriction on experimental aircraft can be resolved soon!
I too would like to travel to Mexico with my RV-10 eventually. Poking around I noticed EAA appears to address the concern of this thread here, i.e. permission:
EAA us-border-crossing-information-for-homebuilts-mexico
Having lived in Mexico previously I know things are not always very straightforward, but I think this is worth a try to at least see where it goes.
so much to explore in the US before I get bored enough to go in my RV. I much prefer landing at airports where - no-one is there, fuel is self-serve, and they have a beater courtesy van or bikes to ride.
I do not fault anyone for their personal risk management decisions. We all make decisions such as no single engine night flights over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, no North Atlantic crossings, etc.
But I do think decisions can be informed by the real world experiences of others. My experience from monthly volunteer flights to Baja with the Flying Samaritans has always been very positive. The Mexican people are very friendly and welcoming, and the government and military personnel with whom we interact are always accommodating. I don't fly to remote or unpopulated airstrips (most are closed now anyway due to Mexico's new strict runway licensing rules) which greatly reduces risk of theft. I also fly with groups of other airplanes.
I'll reiterate my advice to check out the Baja Bush Pilots website to get lots of great information about flying south of the border. BBP has everything pilots need to enjoy safe trips to Mexico.
I have been beating this dead horse for a while. The issue with the whole situation is a permission to fly EXP AIRCRAFT into another country is required as per airworthy docs by FAA.