Will Inspect All Aircraft Operating Under Part 91 And Part 135

If you're planning a trip to Mexico in your personal airplane or via charter, you may find yourself and your airplane to be the focus of heightened scrutiny at any airport you might happen to use.

The blog Ops Group reports that the reorganized civil aviation authority in Mexico announced November 19 that it would be conducting ramp checks on every foreign aircraft operating under part 91 or part 135 at every airport in Mexico.

The blog indicates that the government sent out a directive to local handling agents announcing the change, though it is not clear when the new policy would be fully implemented.

In October, the Civil Aviation Authority in Mexico (DGAC) became the Civil Aviation Federal Agency (AFAC). This announcement of increased ramp checks is one of the first directives to be issued by the revamped government agency.

While it may be impossible for Mexico to ramp check every private foreign aircraft at every airport in the country, it's a fairly sure bet that your likelihood of being checked is going to increase.

Ops Group spoke with a representative for Manny Aviation, one of the main handlers in Mexico, and has compiled a list of the documents you may need to carry on any future flight to that country. Manny Aviation said that there is no definitive list of documents that must be carried, so it's probably better to err on the side of carrying more than less.

(State department map)

FMI: Source report
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