ouch, MMIO was a terrible place to hang out when I used to go there. However, there were 2 options if I remember correctly. ICCS, although a little pricey, is the safest way to go. Good luck, be safe, and enjoy the arc into the airport!

 

I visit the salty-dillo at least once a week to pick up freight. Use ICCS, they are on the east side of the field.

Also, review the ILS-DME 2 RWY 17, and ask Monterrey Center for weather at MMIO (no ATIS) 100NM out. There are some big rocks around there and the tower will just dump you in on that approach with little to no warning.

I have had the MMIO tower dude tell me "there is some rain, visibility 3 miles". Shoot the ILS next thing you know, DA. Again, ask Monterrey way out for current wx. Your going to be on your own shooting any approach there (no radar).

Oh not to mention, that GS can be spotty. Have fun welcome to Mexico.

 

Thanks a lot guys. Touched base with ICCS this morning, seemed like a good setup. Arranged everything including security for pax to/from the facility.

 

Check your PM receptacle.

 

Take a lot of cash and don't EVER get thrown in jail in Mexico for anything. Bribes still work. Seriously.

I flew charters to Mexico out of several Texas cities for several years and a $20.00 bill(s) go a l-o-n-g way in Mexico. Check on a reputable handler, watch your terrain, Mexican ATC and have fun !

Adios Amigos

 

My first Mexico trip was a pop-up as well: notified about 4pm on Friday, July 3rd for a morning July 4th departure.

Neither I nor the other pilot had ever been to Mexico. A hurricane had just moved through the area down there (our reason for going) and washed out roads and phone lines, etc. We (me, Co-Capt, and C.P.) all scrambled together trying to get this thing planned.

We used either Colt or Universal, but they couldn't get in touch with someone down there. Also, being a Friday afternoon of the holiday weekend, all of the accountants had gone home, meaning we couldn't get our credit cards auth'd for International travel, so we had no idea if they'd work.

We get down there and our handler is n o - w h e r e to be found. Two soldiers walk up, look at our passports and leave. We both sit there with dumb looks on our faces, "Uhhh...was that Customs???" So, we sit in the airplane for an hour or so. Finally, a guy from an FBO comes down and he speaks a bit of English. We have him tow us down and he gets us a ride to the hotel...thankfully, the credit cards worked.

Next day we're FINALLY able to contact our handler after hours of phone calls. The lines were down at his house and the roads from his place were also washed out. When he finds out that wasn't "customs" we spoke to, it looked like he was going to have kittens. I thought, "Welp, this is how it ends. I'm going to Mexiprison." After an hour or so he came back and said it was all smoothed out. We hopped in that King Air and had never been so excited to see LaredofreakinTexas in our lives, haha.

I never want to go back to Mexico again. I'll take Canada and Tim Horton's all day long, thank you.

 

Don't forget your Mexican Insurance from a Mexican company. It's not worth the paper its written on, but it is required. Also make sure your real insurer will cover you there.

 

As SOON as you step off the plane give the handler a $20 and things will be smooth. No tip (even if service sucks) may cause a mega headache. We've had a crew or 2 get burned by trying not to be to liberal with tipping, there customs and outbound ppwk took hours. Tip, tip, tip and TIP and your trip will be smooth!

 

so how was your trip?

 

Very smooth. They had cars and drivers waiting and everyone out the door in a few minutes. The 'FBO' wasn't too bad...found an English TV station and they had incredibly slow Internet. Everyone was very polite and the handler was very efficient. If we do ever go back, I'll definitely be using ICCS again. Walk in the park.

I did find it amusing that the handler hopped in a golf cart and drove across the runway to take the flight plan to the tower I assume. I guess fltplan.com has spoiled me.

Thank you all for your help!