Welcome to LifeStory

Topics to be covered:

Web access to US Customs and Boader Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to gain in-depth information about the new Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) -- Mandatory use starting May 18, 2009.

     http://cbp.dhs.gov

How to enroll with CBP/DHS to obtain our eAPIS Activation key, Sender ID and Password

     http://cbp.dhs.gov

Obtaining CBP/DHS aircraft DECAL for your aircraft in advance of international flight

     https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov or http://cbp.dhs.gov

Planning and executing a hypothetical flight from Santa Monica (KSMO) to San Felipe (MMSF)

Filing an eAPIS flight plan (departure and return) once having enrolled with CBP/DHS and obtaining an aircraft decal

FAA flight plans and how they correlate with the eAPIS flight plans

     FAA Flight Plan form 7233-1 and FAA ICAO flight plan 7233-4

     http://faa.gov and type in the search box "Flight Plan"

CBP/DHS Private Aircraft Enforcement System Arrival Report (Customs Form 178) -- where to obtain them and how to use them http://cbp.dhs.gov and type in the search box "Customs Form 178"

International Travel Under eAPIS and FAA International Flight Plans:     

eAPIS (Electronic Advance Passenger Information System):

eAPIS is mandatory May 18, 2009

Filings must be on line not by telephone

Web access: http://cbp.dhs.gov

        Travel

        Pleasure Boats and Private Flyers

        Private Flyers

        eAPIS Private Aviation Online Tutorial

When you think you know what you are doing -- Register at http://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov and Enroll. You can then obtain your

        Activation Key

        Sender ID

        Password

If you have any questions, call Eric M. Rodriquez, eAPIS Program manage, Customs and Border Protecion,  (28) 230-4642 or email eric.rodriquez@dhs.gov

Note: If you have a problem of compliance with your eAPIS return plan, contact US Customs at your intended AOE -- example: Customs at KCXL is direct dial from Mexico (001-760) 357-1208

DECALS:

If you plan on flying internationally more than once a year, obtain in advance a CBP decal for your aircraft:

Access, Register and order a decal at http://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov

       Travel

       Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS)

       Register

When registered you will receive your account number, DTOPS User ID and Password and can order a decal and pay by credit card, debit card, etc, on line.

 ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO MEXICO AND FORRE-ENTRY INTO THE USA       

ITEMS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO MEXICO:

Aircraft registration*

Certificate of Airworthiness*

FCC Radio Telephone License (required by never asked for)

Pilot's license*

Medical Certificate*

Insurance* -- as of about three years ago it is no longer required that you have a policy issured by a Mexican insurance company as long as your US policy states that it is valid in Mexico (or other foreign country you intend to fly into), that it is in a sum at least as required by Mexico (all of the US policies comply), and that it identifies the aircraft operated and that it provides coverage for the term of our flight.

Letter of Authorization* -- If aircraft is not owned by the person operating it, then you must have a notarized letter from the person of entity owning the aircraft authorizing you to operate it in Mexico during the term of the flight. It is much appreciated by the officer at the Mexican AOE if the letter is translated into Spanish.

Letter of Authorization* -- for minor traveling with only one parent, must have notarized letter from other parent allowing child to travel with accompanying parent.

Passport for pilot, crew and any passengers

*= make copies as the officer at the AOE may want to keep copies.

ITEM REQUIRED FOR RE-ENTRY INTO THE USA

Passports for all on board

Pilot license and Medical Certificate

Completed Customs form 178 "PRIVATE AIRCRAFT ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM ARRIVAL REPORT"

Customs decal affixed to aircraft

 FAA INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT PLANS:

FLIGHT PLAN (FAA Form 7233-1 and Form 7233-4)

When calling in a VFR flight plan to 1-800-992-2743 (1-800-WXBRIEF), some briefers call the plan a DVFR plan while othes refer to it as an international flight plan. If you file an IFR flight plan, just follow the plan to the border then when crossing the border follow the following pertinent information. NOTE: Mexico requires a 406 Mhz ELT.

Sample: DVFR flight plan from KSMO to MMSF -- after takeoff from KSMO activate DVFR flight plan with Hawthorne Radio on 122.5. If you want flight following ask for it and Hawthorne will give you the ATC frequency to call with the request. You will then be given a discreet TXPDR code by ATC.

When you cross the border call the nearest Mexican tower and tell the controller (example) (calling Mexicali Tower on 118.2) Mexicali Tower, Cessna N133RC, a Cessna 206, crossing the border south of KUMBA at 7,500 feet on a flight plan from Santa Monica to San Felipe with two persons on board. What the tower wants to know is who you are, where you are crossing the border, what you are, your altitude, where you are coming from, where you are going to and how many people are on board. The tower will then give you instructions to call it at a certain distance south of Mexicali and when you comply it will give you the next facilit to call and its frequency.

If you are entering at San Felipe (MMSF), call it about 30 miles north on 118.5 and identify yourself, where you are, your altitude and where you are coming from and the number of persons on board. Then comply with instructions.

If you are flying with more than one aircraft, air-to-air is 122.75.

It is strongly recommended that if you are going to fly to/from Mexico, join Baja Bush Pilots (www.bajabushpilots.com) and get their book Airports of Baja and Mainland Mexico. It has all airports, procedures, contact data and more.

You can file a return plan when filing your outbound plan. It is a simplified plan but if you do not know your return details, you can call San Diego Flight Service from Mexico at (928) 778-0314. Also, when about 100 miles south of the USA border, call San Diego Radio on 122.6 and update your ETA at your USA airport of entry and ask that Customs be advised of that new ETA. You must hit your new ETA within plus or minus 15 minutes or expect possible trouble with US Customs. Also, since you will have filed an eAPIS outbound and inbound (return) plan, you CANNOT BE EARLY on that plan but you can be late. Early eAPIS returns may well cost you $5000.00. They are serious.

Note: IF MMSF is your AOE in Mexico and you intend to refuel there, call ahead to verify that they have fuel -- direct dial (011-52-686) 577-1858. US Customs at KCXL is direct dial from Mexico (001-760) 357-1208.

GENERAL INFORMATION

HEADING SOUTHBOUND:

FLIGHT PLAN -- Open your flight plan upon departure. You don't have to close it when you cross the border (it just goes away).

OWNERSHIP -- If you don't own the aircraft, get a notarized letter from the owner allowing you to fly it in Mexico -- suggest translation into spanish (TRANSLATE.GOOGLE.COM).

GENERAL DECLARATION -- When arriving at the Mexican AOE, ask for a "MULTI-ENTRY AUTHORIZATION". The price is the same for a one time entry or a multi-entry (US$56.00), It is good for one calendar year.

LANDING FEE -- US$7.00 for a single and US$15.00 for a light twin.

CITIZENSHIP & VISAS -- Each person on board will have to prove citizenship with a passport, birth certificate, voter registration card or military ID card. VISAS cost US$20.00 per visa which will be issued by immigrtion at the AOE.

FUEL -- Fuel costs vary depending on where you buy it. All ASA airport fuel prices are controlled by Mexico (example, Mexicali, Tijuana, La Paz, Loreto) and costs about US$2.50 per galon. At non-ASA airports, they purchase from ASA airports and averages about US$4.00 per gallon (example, San Felipe, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas). Fuel is sold by the liter and computed in Pesos. It is best to pay in Pesos but you can pay in US$ but you will pay more due to the exchange. The exchange rate favors the one doing the conversion.

OIL -- Take your own oil.

CHILDREN -- Both parents, no problem. One parent, need a notarized letter from the parent not present allowing the child to travel with the one parent (suggest translation).

PETS -- No problem but a good idea to have a record of shots.If your airplane is inspected, the bigger the dog, the shorter the inspection.

FIREARMS  -- A very big NO.

HEADING NORTHBOUND: 

CUSTOMS NOTIFICATION  -- One hour notice before landing but can amend in the air with 30 minutes notice. After landing, stay IN your aircraft till Customs OKs exiting.

FLIGHT PLAN -- when arriving at the US AOE, close flight plan with ATC or flight service.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Mexico -- 406 Mhz required July 1, 2009. Carry a copy of your aircraft log book page showing that the 406 Mhz was installed.

Passport (not a passport card) required effective June 1, 2009 for air travel. Passport card is only for Land/Sea travel and then only for Canada, Mexico, Carribean and Bermuda.

Calling AOE -- If no answer (ex: agent inspecting aircraft on ramp, or after hours), call the general information number for the district office of "CBP" for the port of entry that you intend to cross at and explain the situation and request landing rights. Get the name of the person you talk to. Ex: www.cbp.gov, click PORTS, type your AOE in the search box then click GO, select the applicable AOE and it will open and you can get the 24/7 general tel number. For CXL it is (706) 768-2626. Calling from Mexico dial 001-760-768-2626.

Private aircraft enforcement system arrival report form 178 -- must be filed with the CBP agent at the AOE. Download form 178 from www.cbp.gov and select FORMS, select Form 178 and print several out. Fill in one with the information you have in advance and complete it before arrival at the AOE.

Fltplan.com has an approved service for filing eAPIS forms. It costs $249.00 per year. See a demo at www.fltplan.com,  User name APIS and Password Demo. CBP eAPIS is free but a little bit harder to use. Unless you cross the border a lot, use CBP.