Re: Fort Collins, CO - Loreto, MEX - LONG
Let'sgoflying! said:
back yet Eric? Im dying for a report.
Well you asked for it. It got a little long.
Yep, yesterday morning. Winds were howling on the Front Range Sunday. Made it as far as Alamosa when Flight Watch painted such a bad picture we decided to wait for Monday. Alamosa was only 17G27 where near home was reporting 45G60. Plus I had one more pass to cross. A friend was a hour or so behind and went around the corner as Las Vegas. He made it.
Anyway, the trip was great. Another great adventure. Three planes ended on the trip. We made it out of Fort Collins Tuesday morning VFR. Another plane had to file to get out of Front Range. There as upslope ground fog. The moutains were mostly clear with thin (1500') layers over the peaks. This was our first trip with O2. We were able to get on top at 14,500. Sure is nice rather than bouncing around under the clouds. Made it over Poncha Pass in the clear. Couldn't do Wolf Creek but Cumbres was fine. Winds started picking up and around Gallup we were down to 105 knots. Surface winds were much lighter so we dropped down and put up with the light chop. Gained back 30 knots. Stopped in Saint John, AZ for gas ($2.75). And waited for our friends in the Mooney Bravo to catch up. The other plane, a 210 had decided to wait till Wednesday to leave. We left first for Tucson and listen to our friends report a very close call.
They almost hit a dump truck on take-off.
The truck crossed the runway without stopping. The pilot yanked the plane off and cleared the truck but barely. The co-pilot guessed three feet. The pilot said he was waiting for the gear to hit. Then he put the nose down to keep from stalling. Both of them said it was the closest call in thirty years of flying. The radio report was followed up by phone calls. They also plan on reporting to FSDO.
Back to the trip. Into Tucson Ryan and overnighted with my Mom and husband in Green Valley. We planned a 10 am departure with the other plane. Called Prescott FSS and filed an international flight plan to Loreto, Mex, MMLT. They also suggested I file a return flight plan to get in the US Customs computer. I did but more on that later. BTW, the route is on the US WAC chart and I found the miltary AF/D on line. So we had pretty current info without buying the Jepp trip kit.
Take off and open the flight plan. Head south and cross over the boarder at Nogalas. I was ready to go direct but some the folks prefer as route that goes over islands about 1/3 of the way down the Sea of Cortez. So we headed direct for Isle Tiburon, then across to Baja. Flying down the coast and into Loreto. My first experience with Mexican ATC. Loreto is a Class D.
The Bravo was about 30 miles in front so I got to listen to Walt check in. Their English is pretty good and they do get a lot of American pilots. So no real problem. They ask where you're coming from and must look up you flight plan. The controller started calling the other Mooney by my call sign. Walt would say '63FM is 10 miles out' and the tower would say 'Mooney 234MP report right downwind runway 34'. Walt never tried to correct, just kept saying the right number. Was kind of funny to listen too. 63FM got off the runway before I reported 25 out. After my call there was a loooooong pause. The he came back with the normal stuff and landed 234MP again.
It was a little windy (25G30) but almost straight down the runway. Now time for the Mexican bureaucracy we'd been warned about.
It really wasn't that bad. About an hour. First to the Commendante to close the flight plan and get the entry papers started. Here's where they checked you license, registration and insurance. Helps to have copies ready. Then to the airport administration to pay landing, passenger and security fees. Then back to the Commendante to get our entry permit for the plane. (You can ask for a multi entry permit for the same price ($50) and it's good for the rest of the year.) Then to immigration for the tourist card and them customs. Didn't charge the normal $20 visa fee and didn't even look at our bags. They did check a bag from the other plane. And just to show how things can get confused, when the third plane came in the next day, they ended up emptying the whole plane, safety gear, raft, the works. Turn out it was a communication problem. Customs wanted all their bags but didn't really care about the plane gear. But without Spanish, John thought they wanted it all.
Patience in definitely called for. For example, the Aircraft Entry Permit is a half page form and they need six copies. The guy fills out the form in a computer and prints it 2 per page. Then with a metal straight edge tears each carefully in half. Then he get carbon paper out of a drawer and assembles the package, which you then sign.
Well were down there and enjoy the next three days in Loreto.
http://www.loreto.com/hotelplaza/ Days got warmer and the wind let up each day. There is a nice beach, plenty of fishing boats, good food. Nice town. Walt's Cingular cell phone was working so before we left I called Prescott FSS to check on the return flight plan. Nothing to be found.
So I refiled for the Sunday return.
Saturday we left for Hotel Surenidad at Mulege about 45 minutes back north.
http://www.serenidad.com/ There were only about 40 planes there, a slow weekend. Got there in time for some beach time. We located a taxi driver to arrange a clam bake. While wading around waiting for the clam boat, one of the ladies in our group stepped on a sting ray. Lucky a car was just leave and the took the couple into town. She was hurting pretty bad. The rest of us found and cooks a mess of clams. Then back to the hotel for the pig roast and margaritas. It was a great evening at least what I remember. Did I mention margaritas?
Sunday we left around 9 for Nogalas to check out of Mexico then on to Tucson for US Customs. Nogalas was a great stop. Only cost $7 in fees and about 15 minutes. The on to US Custom at TUS. Again a great experience. No dogs, didn't look in plane or luggage. About 10 minutes tops. Off again for home. Up to 15,500 for smooth air and almost home.
Sorry it got so long, but it was a good adventure. These new challenges are actually fun for me.
