The beauty of this location is that it's under an hour from the border by RV, but it's not just a place to stop and clear customs -- it has definite tourist appeal. Lots of restaurants to choose from, hotels and condos, etc. Apparently it's a popular spot for college spring breakers -- we will definitely avoid that crowd by not going on a common spring break weekend. For more info you can do a Google search on "Puerto Penasco".
Here's the route down, which takes us from Chino to Julian VOR, around the MOA, over Mexicali, and along the Altar Desert to the Sea of Cortez.
On the way back, we'll make the short hop (approximately 45 to 50 minutes) from Punta Penasco to Calexico, CA, where we will clear customs in the U.S.
So far, the following people have confirmed:
The times mentioned above are pretty conservative. It shouldn't take very long for everybody to clear customs in either location. But you never know!
As of today (February 1) I am still doing research on the regulations and procedures for formation flight in controlled airspace in Mexico. There's nothing stopping us while we're not talking to Mexicali Tower -- last time I went down, they dumped me just south of Mexicali and I was free. Crossing the border we may or may not be able to fly as a "flight," but we'll see. I'll have an answer by the final briefing meeting. I know for sure we will need to file separate flight plans, activate them separately, and update border crossing times separately with San Diego Radio. Whether we'll be able to fly in formation or not, is TBD. Worst case, we can all stagger out and re-group before landing at Punta Penasco...for a low approach in formation!!! This airport in particular is uncontrolled.
UPDATE -- February 3 -- I just got word from a Cessna 180 pilot who recently flew in formation in Mexico. Terminology is apparently the same, the only difference is that occasionally the controllers will ask for the tail numbers of everybody in the flight.
There are a few key things you will need in order to be ready to fly your RV into Mexico. Get this stuff out of the way as soon as possible.
Once you have all of this stuff taken care of, you're ready to roll! FYI, I've never been asked to show my radio station license or radiotelephone operator's permit. It's up to you whether you want to bother. I'm of the mindset that I'd rather HAVE it than not have it, just in case.
Insurance...it costs $110 per year. If you're not planning on going to Mexico again in 2005, you may want to get a policy that covers a shorter durataion...you can save about $45 by doing that. You can purchase short-term Mexican liability insurance from MacAfee and Edwards. The number is 800-334-7950 (or 626-792-7399, fax 626-792-7322). If you think you might head down there again some other time (when you see how easy it is, you most likely will), the $110/year policy makes sense.
We will cover the procedures in the briefing, but absolutely, positively call San Diego FSS and listen to the recordings they have prepared on Mexican border crossing. Call 866-682-2175 (or 800-WX-BRIEF in San Diego or Imperial counties). It's a three-part recording that is a summary of Mexican border crossing procedures. After dialing San Diego FSS, press 225 for part 1, 226 for part 2, and 227 for part 3. This recorded summary is chock full of great information. Be prepared to listen to these recordings more than once, and have a pen handy to take lots of notes. The dude talks pretty quickly and there's a lot of information to absorb.
I'm making the assumption that we will not be buying fuel at Punta Penasco. I believe they may now have 100LL available, but DO NOT count on fuel being available. I recommend topping off before we leave Chino. We should not need to fly more than about two and a half hours between Chino and Calexico...I'm talking round-trip. We should all easily have the capacity to make the round trip and plenty more. Fuel at Calexico is expensive (around 3 bucks a gallon), but worst case you can take on enough fuel to get home or to cheaper fuel. If fuel happens to be available at Punta Penasco, it will most likely be approximately $2.60 per gallon. Again, not counting on it.
Don't expect this trip to be "dirt cheap." It's not like flying to French Valley for lunch. One good thing, though, is that the biggest expense you will have to cover, the Entrance Authorization fee, will actually cover you for all of 2005. We will be getting a "multi-entrance authorization," which means you can re-use it every time you travel to Mexico in 2005. FYI, the price is exactly the same whether you purchase a single entrance authorization or go for the multi. Good excuse to head down there again!
Here's a basic run-down of the expenses I assume we will all have to cover in Penasco. I confirmed these with Alonso Dominguez, the "comandante" at MMPE.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entrance Authorization | $50 per calendar year |
| Landing Fee | $5 |
| Taxi | $10 into town, presumably $10 back (car rental is $50/day) |
| Lunch | presumably $10-20 max per person |
| Souvenirs | keep it cheap...otherwise you have to declare it when you re-enter |
| 2005 U.S. Customs Decal | $25 per calendar year |
None of this is in stone, obviously. I've heard that Alonso, the comandante, is incredibly cool (he seemed cool in email), and that sometimes he doesn't even make you buy an entrance authorization if you're just coming for the day. I wouldn't COUNT on that, but we might luck out! Anyway, as I said, this isn't your average cheap RV lunch. But this will be an experience builder, and it should be a GREAT TIME!
NOTE: While I've flown the RV to Mexico before, I've never been to Punta Penasco, so this will be a new experience for me, too!
