Flying an N-registered experimental through Latin America as a PPL holder?

MarkH

MarkH

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I am considering taking a sabbatical in 2027 and I have been debating taking some time to travel Latin America or using the time to fly and build hours.

This is me asking the question: Why not both?

I am looking at ELSA or EAB two seat aircraft, flying south to Argentina with many stops along the way. The trouble is I have never flown outside the US, have never owned an Experimental (though I used to own a Grumman AA1C which I did a fair amount of owner assisted maintenance), and am a PPL that is currently working to get back proficient after a break from flying.
Due to my lack of experience and expertise, I am worried that I am not considering some risks that I can prepare for.

Considerations I am working on:
Getting proficient
Getting familiar with where to look for the regulations I need to know related to aircraft, medical and procedure requirements of destination countries
Finding organizations/support for the procedures, requirements and regulatory environment (groups like Baja Bush Pilots, for example).
Getting familiar with aviation specific Spanish (I realize the airspace is operated in English, but I have read accident reports where locals made comments on the radio in the local language that could have impacted the outcome).
Understanding reference documents and local requirements for using public and private resources (airports, airspace limitations, etc)

Anyone here have some advice for things I am over looking or possibly under estimating? Or just stories and warnings from pilots who have done similar?
 
I think Mexico currently prohibits E-ab aircraft in their airspace.
 
There is a process to get 6 month renewable approval to fly experimentals in Mexican airspace.
 
MarkH said:
There is a process to get 6 month renewable approval to fly experimentals in Mexican airspace.
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ok, is that an official process or a wink wink grease the right pocket process? Not denying it exists; just skeptical.
 
While there was a questionable process after the flip happened, as I understand the current process is published by the Mexican Aviation Authority. Most of my information on it comes from Baja Bush Pilots, and they paywall it, so I don't have a source to cite.
 
Colin Hales flew around the world (before crashing in Japan) in a KR 2 of all things so anything is possible if you are willing to push legal and enforcement limits to do it. However the default is that aircraft with FAA Experimental or LSA airworthiness do not have an ICAO compliant airworthiness certificate and are therefore not pre-approved by treaty to enter airspace outside of the US. Unless there is another treaty or national law that covers it, that puts you in the position of applying for permission and the reports on doing so in most countries outside of North America and a few countries in Europe are poor. One way to handle this would be to pay an experienced company with South American government contacts to negotiate and pay for the clearances but now you’re moving into expensive territory.

Much much easier with a type certified aircraft, purely because of ICAO treaty obligations in signatory countries.
 
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Definitely want to do this some day.
I would read all the posts by @Katamarino and his blog, then ask him any specific questions.
I would also become a member of the https://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com/About Us.htm
and ask Jim any questions. He is super knowledgeable and nice.
Please post any updates/learnings here for the rest of us. Have fun.
 
MarkH said:
Anyone here have some advice for things I am over looking or possibly under estimating?
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As mentioned above, E/AB aircraft will require permission from each country you plan to land at or fly over. Perhaps contact the EAA with these questions or similar E/AB groups in the specific country(s) you want to visit.
 
MarkH said:
There is a process to get 6 month renewable approval to fly experimentals in Mexican airspace.
Click to expand...
Ok, but 'Latin America' includes way more than Mexico.

I wouldn't want to fly a certified plane down south. 100LL is gonna be scarce at all but the largest airports and repair parts are also gonna be sketchy. Gasoline in other coutries is generally lower quality so even running MOGAS may cause problems.

An experimental (esp with a VW engine) would probably be much 'safer'.

Once you leave the US you are in a different world. Cash is king.
 
pfarber said:
Ok, but 'Latin America' includes way more than Mexico.

I wouldn't want to fly a certified plane down south. 100LL is gonna be scarce at all but the largest airports and repair parts are also gonna be sketchy. Gasoline in other coutries is generally lower quality so even running MOGAS may cause problems.

An experimental (esp with a VW engine) would probably be much 'safer'.

Once you leave the US you are in a different world. Cash is king.
Click to expand...

There are a handful of reasons I would prefer an experimental, a big one being parts. If my alternator fails on a Lyco O-360 Piper, there may be difficulty finding a Lycoming Alternator, but if the alternator fails on a Lyco O-360 RV-8, the alternator Vans sells is from a Suzuki Samurai.
 
Flying in Mexico, Central and South America? Yikes - I would be leery of traveling there in a group in well known tourist areas. Flying a plane by myself, looking for airports where you're plane isn't stolen or stripped, 100 Octane fuel that doesn't have rust in it, etc. Brave soul!
 
WDD said:
Flying in Mexico, Central and South America? Yikes - I would be leery of traveling there in a group in well known tourist areas. Flying a plane by myself, looking for airports where you're plane isn't stolen or stripped, 100 Octane fuel that doesn't have rust in it, etc. Brave soul!
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I agree. Plenty of fun and interesting places to fly in the US.
 
I assume the OP has at least an FAA class 3 medical... Basic med or flying under sport pilot rules with a private don't cut nearly everywhere.
 
I don't know which if any Latin American countries allow experimentals... EAA should have that information.

In many third world countries, travelers employ "handlers" to make arrangements and grease the appropriate palms.
 
Dana said:
I don't know which if any Latin American countries allow experimentals... EAA should have that information.

In many third world countries, travelers employ "handlers" to make arrangements and grease the appropriate palms.
Click to expand...

100% hand at least a $50 to the handler right when you open the door

Cheapest upgrade you can do
 
If I were wanting to do this, I'd contact Guil Barros, the guy behind the BuildFlyGo YouTube channel. He flew his RV to Brazil in early 2020, and he gave a great presentation on the trip at OSH 2021.

In fact, start with the YouTube channel. You may find many of your questions already answered there.
 
Other than your lack of current flying experience, tropical weather, difficulty obtaining visas, the scarcity of 100LL and repair facilities, and a paucity of resources in English, there's the minor matter of personal safety to consider.

There's a lot of red south of the border on the State Department's travel advisory map.

Travel Advisories | Travel.State.gov

Travel Advisories keep U.S. citizens informed about destination-specific risks and essential precautions, making your travel abroad safer.
travel.state.gov travel.state.gov
 
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