I've had a long-standing intention to fly down to Todos Santos to visit a friend who has property there. Something or other has gotten in the way of doing this trip until now so I'm currently firming up a plan to head down there. There's a lot to learn about eAPIS and other realities of flying in Mexico these days but I'm finally hot on the trail.

The first question I had was "Do I really need a radio station license for the plane? Reading a recent thread here answered that one. I knew I would need the radio operator's license for my person. That used to cost $5 back when we needed them here in the U.S. I haven't yet checked on current price for the radio operator's license, however in looking at the radio station license for the plane, it appears the FCC wants $165.00! Does that sound right? Maybe I was in the wrong section of the FCC website - that sounds like a charge they might impose for opening up a commercial radio station - not something for a simple VHF comm radio in my plane. Could someone clarify this issue for me please?

Second question. Back when I used to fly into Mexico regularly - in the 70's - after clearing customs and getting the GenDec and filling up with cheap gas in Mexicali, I could file a flight plan to whatever little airstrip I wanted. Nobody expected that it would be "closed". It was just a formality. Usually the second stop was somewhere that sold gas, such as Mazatlan, but from there I could and did file to strips that had no tower or airport personnel at all. No one expected the flight plan would ever be closed nor did I ever expect that, if I didn't show up at the destination, anyone would come looking for me.

How has this changed?

It appears the strip in Todos Santos is not used. My resident friend tells me he's never seen any planes coming in and out so I'm guessing there's a problem landing there. My choices are LaPaz or Cabo it appears but I'm wondering if the airport jefe in LaPaz could authorize me to fly from LaPaz to Todos Santos? Is there some kind of "special permission" available? My Spanish is fairly proficient. I've spent a lot of time living and travelling in Mexico, but none of it is recent other than to TJ for dental work.

I've got a couple reasons for wanting to keep the plane in TS rather than LaPaz. Not only is the strip about five minutes from my friends home, but temps are in the 70's there whereas it's already in the 90's and above in LaPaz and there's no cover available. I've got a composite aircraft and I don't like leaving it out in the sun in those kind of temperatures. When I fly to Vegas I have an arrangement with one of the FBO's to keep it in shade but in La Paz it appears, looking on Google, there's no shade.

Third question. What can I expect to pay for a landing fee in San Felipe and La Paz? I intend to enter Mexico at San Felipe (is that a good idea?) since that suits my range limitations for the trip. I flight plan for a maximum of 600 miles.

That's all my questions for now. I'm sure just about everyone reading this knows the answers to these questions so if anyone has the time to put up with my ignorance I'd appreciate you spending some of it filling me in.

Gracias,

Mike Stirewalt
KSEE