I would like to fly my private plane from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas in 
Mexico. What kind of advanced paperwork is necessary to arrivde in Cabo?

There is a great resource for private pilots flying into Cabo San Lucas and 
other Baja destinations at AAA Baja Bush Pilots. It declares itself as "The 
Only Airport Guide for Mexico" and provides information on flying into Mexico.
http://www.bajabush.com/

What is required to arrive in Cabo San Lucas is described below and at the 
above mentioned website.

The Baja Bush Pilots provides a detailed description of crossing the United 
States/Mexico border. Here are important excepts with regards to flying 
Southbound, read it in its entirety at 
http://www.bajabush.com/border_crossing.htm

"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.         
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 indicating you will be landing at the normal distance out.
5)  Land at the M-AOE. You will be issued a General Declaration (form GCH 40) 
which allows 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)
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.  (prox US$7.00 for single, US$12 .00 for a light 
twin) 
9)  Depart for your next destination."
http://www.bajabush.com/border_crossing.htm

Before flying down, you will want to read this "Baja Alert" detailing rule 
changes for flying in Mexico. It answers all the relevant questions one would 
have about aviation regulations with flying into and in Mexico. The Press 
Release was released March 22, 2002 and can be found at 
http://www.bajabush.com/alerts.htm

Here are some important excerpts from this document:

Notice this says "corporate":
"Foreign corporate registered aircraft no long need prior permission to enter 
Mexican airspace."

"Foreign aircraft can enter and land at a Mexican International Airport on a 
single entry basis.  Payment for single entry is to be the same as it is now."

"With prior aircraft entry authorization, foreign aircraft can enter and land 
at Mexican International airports on a calendar year fee basis of about 
US$60.00.  This authorization fee is for aircraft entry only and does not 
include landing fees, immigration fees, etc.  
At the present time, these are the steps involved:
a)     Request written authorization from Mexico City (see attached form)
b)     Upon receipt of authorization, provide it to the Commander of your first 
Mexican AOE along with payment of about US$60 
c)     Staple this receipt to the authorization form from Mexico and you are 
now paid through the calendar year that you made the purchase.
d)     Note!  You cannot get the annual authorization form from an airport 
Commander.  The only place this can be gotten is from Mexico City prior to your 
trip.
e)  Note! It takes as least five (5) working days for Mexico to process and 
return your authorization form.  You must plan ahead." 

"That all International Airports are now Airports of Entry for all private 
aircraft. This includes piston, turbine, and jet.  Private flights are 
prohibited to operate into/out of Mexico City International Airport (MMMX) 
That you no longer are required to enter, fly in, and depart Mexico with the 
same passengers.  Passengers can change aircraft, stay, etc. as long as they 
have a valid tourist card"
http://www.bajabush.com/alerts.htm

It also appears that all aircraft flying in Mexico must have liability 
insurance from a Mexican Insurance Company. More information can be found at 
http://www.bajabush.com/insuranc.htm


Additional information:

Cabo San Lucas Airport
http://www.caboexpo.com/cairl.htm

Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide
http://mexico.areatravel.net/cabo-san-lucas/index.html

Cabo San Lucas: Customs and Ground Transportation
http://mexico.areatravel.net/cabo-san-lucas/transportation.html


Search terms used:

Cabo San Lucas airport private
://www.google.com/search?q=Cabo+San+Lucas+airport+private

Dear Iroyston,

Thank you for your inquiry.  I hope the following information helps illuminate 
some of the issues regarding US-Mexican travel.  I have gathered a few official 
sites and one non-official site for you.

==Getting into Mexico

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Bringing Your Own Plane or Boat to Mexico

Private aircraft and boats are subject to the same Mexican customs regulations 
as are motor vehicles. When you arrive at a Mexican port in your private boat, 
you can obtain a temporary import permit similar to the one given for motor 
vehicles. 

Flying your own plane to Mexico, however, is more complicated. Well before your 
trip, inquire about private aircraft regulations and procedures from a Mexican 
consulate or Mexican Government Tourist Office.

Mexican Consulates
http://www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm

1549 India St.
San Diego, CA 92101
tel. (619) 231-8414
fax 231-4802

Mexican Government Tourist Office
http://www.planetware.com/national/MEX/OFFICES.HTM

Los Angeles
Los Angeles Mexican Government Tourist Office 
10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 224 
Los Angeles, CA 90067 
United States 
Phone: 1 (213) 203-8191 / 0281 
Internet: http://www.visitmexico.com

Getting back into the U.S.

Customs Dept
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/userfee2.htm

The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 authorizes the U.S.  
Customs Service to collect fees on incoming commercial vehicles, private 
aircraft, and private vessels. You are required to pay the fee if:

You operate a private aircraft, including a corporate aircraft, that enters the 
United States. In order to qualify as a private aircraft requiring a decal, the 
aircraft cannot carry passengers who pay airfare. 

For 2002, the costs of the U.S. Customs User Fee Decal Program are as follows:

Private Aircraft Decal $25.00(U.S.) Per calendar year 


OPTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR DECALS:

ONLINE – Whether you are ordering decals for the first time, or you are 
renewing your decals, you can do so by applying for 2002 online. If you prefer 
to use this method to renew your decals you should disregard the renewal 
package you will receive in the mail. Applying online is fast and easy, and the 
system is very user friendly. (To receive your order in 4 to 6 days, use 
a "ship to" address in the United States and select the overnight courier 
shipping option.)

Note: Your web browser must be set for 128-bit encryption to apply for decals 
online. 

If you would like to apply for your 2002 decals online, please click on: 
https://tradelinks.mellon.com/cgi-bin/tsmenu.pl/cstm

REQUIRED INFORMATION:

A decal will not be issued if any of the required information is missing. 
Please review your application carefully, and be sure that your payment is 
correct for the number and types of decals requested. 

Incomplete applications or applications that do not match the amount of the 
payment will have to be returned to you for correction, and we will use first 
class mail only.

 
Aircraft: Company or owner name, address, telephone number, manufacturer’s 
name, year, and tail number.

INQUIRIES:

Questions should be directed to Decal Inquiries at (317) 298-1200, extension 
1245, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, or via email at 
decals@customs.treas.gov.

==Associations
The above sites are not very comprehensive in their information.  I was hoping 
to find you a checklist but couldn’t find one.  I think contacting the Baja 
Bush Pilots will be able to give you a more cohesive answer out of 
the "governmental-officialese".

Baja Bush Pilots
http://www.bajabush.com/border_crossing.htm
http://www.bajabush.com/insuranc.htm
http://www.bajabush.com/fuel.htm
The Baja Bush Pilots organization was started 30 years ago by Arnold 
Senterfitt, author of the book "Airports of Baja and Mainland Mexico".   One of 
the purposes for the group was to be able to get affordable Mexican liability 
insurance.  During the following years, the BBP has grown to the point that it 
has about 1,200 active members.  These members receive the BBP Journal four 
times a year, the Baja Alert post cards as things change, get major discounts 
on insurance, as well as fly as a group three or four times a year down into 
Mexico.  Recently, the BBP started a program whereby certain hotels and 
services are joining the BBP as Associate Members.  Current BBP members receive 
discounts from these Members. If your interests is in flying "South of the 
Border", membership in the BBP is all but a must!


Local Flying Clubs
If you are like most aviators, you probably belong to a flying club.  You’ve 
probably already talked to some of your club friends and perhaps not gotten 
enough information.  Try contacting the San Diego flying clubs if you aren’t 
local to San Diego.  I bet a lot of these folks fly into Baja for short weekend 
or long weekend trips.

I have also found an article by Phillip J. Kolczynski on 
http://www.landings.com.  Mr. Kolczynski has been concentrating in the field of 
Aviation Law for over 20 years and has experience in Government and private 
practice.  Unfortunately, the link was dead and so I’ve requested Philip to 
provide me with the information.  If I get it, I will post a comment to your 
question.

I hope this helps and safe flying.