How to Fly General Aviation to Mexico
EVERYTHING you need to know to fly yourself there.
Complete Video Course and PDF Guide
Just about ANY PILOT and AIRCRAFT can fly to Mexico!
Get the FREE Mexico Requirements Checklist
It’s actually not that hard.
and it’s totally worth it.
Confusion ends here
There’s nothing better than the feeling of landing your own plane in Mexico to begin an epic adventure!
And there’s nothing worse than trying to piece together the horribly fragmented information from all across the internet on how to do it.
So I’ve created this EASY TO UNDERSTAND, STEP BY STEP course on How to Fly GA to Mexico.
What you’ll learn
Complete Step by Step Video Course and PDF Guide
Chapter 1: Mexico Prep and Planning
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Purpose and structure of the course
Building your “Fly to Mexico” folder
Using the quick-reference PDF and checklist
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What makes GA flying in Mexico unique
Hidden destinations and cultural highlights
Review of aviation freedoms
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Differences from U.S. operations and ATC
Local variations and practical expectations
The Mexico Mindset
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Airports of Entry and route selection
Airspace, fuel, and terrain
Downloadable MEX VFR charts (charts included)
STEP by STEP loading charts into EFB
STEP by STEP planning outbound flight
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Reliable weather sources for Mexico
Building safe margins with limited data
Tools and techniques for confident go/no-go calls
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All aircraft requirements covered
Detailed insurance information
Experimental Aircraft
Direct links to get the docs you need
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Passports, licenses, and medical requirements
Rules for minors and non-owner pilots
Complete document set for everyone on board
Downloadable Example letters
Chapter 2: USA to MEXICO Procedures and Real World Flight
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Overview of required filings and notifications
Coordination between U.S., Mexico, and FAA systems
Simplified STEP BY STEP outbound workflow
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Single step U.S. and Mexico manifests
Timing rules and confirmation procedures
EAPIS change procedures
Simplified digital process
STEP by STEP Eapis application
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AIU Permit Intricacies
How and when to apply w/email addresses
Avoiding delays and reusing permits efficiently
Downloadable example AIU application
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STEP BY STEP Filing DVFR flight plan
Correct aircraft codes and border-crossing info
Ensuring activation and ATC coordination
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In-flight video of procedures and radio calls w/ATC audio
Squawk codes and ATC handoffs
Smooth transition into Mexican airspace
Chapter 3: Mexico Arrival Procedures and Flights within Mexico
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Customs, immigration, and AFAC office procedures
Forms, fees, and documentation flow
Avoiding FBO fees with a DIY approach
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How to verify which airstrips are open to GA
Understanding AFAC classifications
Avoiding closed or restricted airports
Direct Link to Official Airport Status
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Filing paper flight plans for domestic legs
Communication at towered and non-towered airports
Handling local fees, stamps, and closures
DOWNLOADABLE MEX Flight Plan Forms
Chapter 4: MEXICO to USA Procedures and Real World Flight
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Key return requirements and timelines
Choosing correct U.S. Airport of Entry
Overview of inbound coordination steps
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STEP BY STEP Filing return EAPIS manifests
Securing CBP landing rights and timing windows
Preventing fines through accurate coordination
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STEP BY STEP Filing and activating inbound DVFR plan
ADIZ timing and communication procedures
How to keep Flight Plan active on longer legs
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Final paperwork and departure clearances
FSS coordination during border crossing
How to maintain timing accuracy and compliance
IN FLIGHT VIDEO of procedures and ATC radio calls
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Customs arrival procedures and timing rules
Required documentation and inspection steps
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Chapter 5: Crucial Tips
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Practical tips for personal and aircraft security in Mexico
Understand regional risk awareness and safe behavior
Suggested life saving in flight equipment
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Your next steps
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Generate authorization letters and an AIU Request letter with our custom tool
Downloadable Checklist included
Downloadable Course Supplement included
one-on-one coaching available
Quickly Generate Authorization Letters
with our custom tool
These pilots did it, so can you.
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![A man with a beard, wearing sunglasses, a gray jacket, a cap with a Flying Monkey logo, and a headset, sitting inside a small aircraft, with the landscape visible through the window.]()
The How to Fly to Mexico Course that Eric has put together is the BEST resource for international flying I have found. The PDF guide is interactive and has links to every resource that is listed. The step-by-step course and guide walk you through the process, making a daunting task very attainable. Eric describes the process in a way that anybody can understand and follow the process. I've flown down twice now, each time utilizing the guide...I'd highly recommend anybody looking to fly into Mexico for the first time to utilize this guide and follow it step by step. You'll be thankful you did. "
Michael B. - Cessna 182
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![A man wears a black cap with a logo, a navy blue shirt with a patch that says "Pura Vida," and a headset with a microphone inside an airplane cockpit. Behind him, there are scenic views of rolling hills and mountains.]()
The How to Fly to Mexico Course was an invaluable tool for every part of my first south-of-the-border flight. It was easy to use, loaded full of all the must know border crossing information and requirements, and was a great tool to use as a real-time reference while en route. I printed the entire supplemental guide and placed it in my “Mexico Flying” binder to reference for future trips. I feel like, with the course and guide, I am well-versed in cross-country planning for Mexico flying and all of the nuances that go along with it!
Ben P. - Cirrus SR20
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![A man wearing sunglasses and a headset with a microphone flying in an aircraft, with a view of the landscape below through the window.]()
Eric’s “How to Fly to Mexico” course is a comprehensive guide to learning the ins and outs of flying to Mexico. I used it to plan my trip to Mexico and it was an invaluable resource that covered virtually everything I needed to know. Flying to Mexico the first time is a bit daunting, but Eric’s guide breaks it into manageable chunks so that preparation is straightforward and much less intimidating. I highly recommend Eric’s guide and I’ll definitely use it on my next planned trip south of the border.
Darrell H. – Mooney M20F
Meet your instructor
Eric “SoCal Flying Monkey”
FAA Advanced Ground Instructor/PPL/IR
Like you, I wanted to learn how to fly to Mexico. I had the hardest time finding thorough and clear information about how to do it! Luckily, my friend John had flown there dozens of times and showed me the ropes.
Being able to fly across the border opened a whole new world of aviation fun! And one I wanted to share with other aviators. Since that first flight, I’ve led groups of pilots on whale watching flying trips to Baja. You may have seen our Youtube videos about them.
Then I set out to create the SIMPLEST and CLEAREST way to help pilots learn how to fly to Mexico. This course is the result of hundreds of hours of research and years of flying to Mexico. With it, you’ll be 100% prepared for your first Mexico flight and every flight after that.
Unlock the adventure of flying to Mexico with this comprehensive guide that simplifies the entire process! This course provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of all necessary procedures, making flying to Mexico surprisingly straightforward. Learn how to easily accomplish requirements like eAPIS and AIU filings. With detailed checklists and clear instructions, say goodbye to confusion and Hola to Mexican aviation with this easy-to-follow guide to flying to Mexico!
Course FAQ
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Unlock a NEW LEVEL of flying adventure. Do you remember that feeling of accomplishment you had as a pilot the first time you landed the plane?
Or the first time you flew for a weekend trip?
Has it faded away with the same old $100 hamburger runs?
I rediscovered that incredible feeling the first time I flew across our border into Mexico and was blown away by what I found. Mexico has some of the best flying and fantastic destinations for GA pilots.
Flying GA to Mexico UNLOCKS an unforgettable range of destinations—from Baja’s remote beach strips like Laguna San Ignacio that offer life changing whale watching to colonial gems like San Miguel de Allende nestled in the mountains.
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Yes! All pilots with at least a private pilot rating and current medical (BasicMed OK) and current passport can do it. And almost all aircraft can fly to Mexico (even experimentals with special authorization). There are a list of requirements we cover like insurance (most policies cover it), 406MHz ELT, regular sized N Numbers, and a few others. In general all these requirements are easy to satisfy and we walk you through every step!
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There’s nothing available like this- it’s is a complete Step by Step guide. We cover everything in great detail including how to load the right charts in Foreflight (charts included), special weather resources, documents, permits, and everything else. And we take you along inside our airplane on flights INTO and OUT OF Mexico so you can see FIRSTHAND how it works. Don’t take your chances with random information scattered across the internet. We make it as clear and as frictionless as possible, down to the course supplement loaded with working links and a double sided checklist.
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Yes! We’ve had several students of this course watch the videos and read the course supplement guide and fly to Mexico all on their own. This course represents hundreds of hours of research and dozens of hours of flying experience within Mexico. If you study this course you will be ready for the procedures.
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The Mexico Travel Document Generator is our fast custom tool that lets you generate “Non-Owner Aircraft Authorization” or “Minor Traveling without a Parent” letters to be notarized. These are sometimes required (of course the course explains it all). You can also generate an AIU Permit application cover letter which all aircraft must have. You just type in a few details and receive a custom pdf ready to go saving lots of time.
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No, this is not a flight training course and does not count for any pilot certificate requirements. This is a course about procedures for flying general aviation to Mexico.
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Most licensed airports in Mexico are considered safe for private GA planes. Theft is rare and thieves seem to target high wing heavy haulers like a Cessna 206. Sticking to larger licensed airports and those with good reputations is a good bet. In our course we cover more about safety and security and making sure you have the required Insurance.
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We do our best to keep this course updated and will email notifications when we learn of rule changes so be sure to opt in. Even though this course is a one time purchase, you’ll still get the notifications for updates! :)
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Yes! No subscription here- just one time purchase. So you can refer back before every Mexico flight. We will continue to update the course with rule changes.