Regional Review: Mexico and the Caribbean

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Rosamond Gaines
6 years ago
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1 and the Caribbean Tuesday, March 18 8:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. PRESENTED BY: Rick Ballew: Supervisor, Flight Operations Rockwell Collins Eric Carson: Pilot, AT&T Flight Operations Guy Gribble: General Manager, International Flight Resources Rob Turpin: Supervisor, Flight Operations Rockwell Collins International Operators Conference Tampa, FL March 17 20, 2014

2 Tuesday, March 18 8:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. PRESENTED BY: Eric Carson Pilot AT&T Flight Operations International Operators Conference Tampa, FL March 17 20, 2014

3 Mexico Perspective: Overview DON T Impress your co-worker by speaking Spanish to ATC DO Bring beef jerky and cookies DON T Pack special PJ s unless you plan to show everyone DO Increase your ATM card limit 3

4 Airspace Overview Air Traffic Management Regulations Communication Navigation Surveillance Weather/Terrain 4

Air Traffic Management Servicios a la Navegacion en el Espacio Aereo Mexicano (SENEAM) Mexico Air Traffic Services provider Manages approximately 2 million operations per year Airspace

5 Air Traffic Management Servicios a la Navegacion en el Espacio Aereo Mexicano (SENEAM) Mexico Air Traffic Services provider Manages approximately 2 million operations per year Airspace Classifications GoMex Routes - Performance Based Navigation Airways in the Gulf of Mexico QNH in hpa (inches on request) Transition Layer 18,000 FL200 Transition level FL195 / Transition alt 18,500 5

pilots consult an appropriate publication, such as the AIP, Jeppesen, or Baja Bush Pilots for the

6 Aviation Regulations Regulations are part of the Mexican Aeronautical Publication (AIP) AIP obtained through SENEAM Rules are similar to FAR s as both adhere to ICAO Rules of Air SENEAM recommends that pilots consult an appropriate publication, such as the AIP, Jeppesen, or Baja Bush Pilots for the latest information prior to flying out of United States Takeoff and Approach Ban Mexico AIP vs. FAR s 6

Communication ICAO phraseology and procedures are used However, non-standard lost comm procedures are being issued Spanish is the native language ATC may communicate to XA and XB

7 Communication ICAO phraseology and procedures are used However, non-standard lost comm procedures are being issued Spanish is the native language ATC may communicate to XA and XB registered aircraft in Spanish ATIS is normally communicated in both English and Spanish D-ATIS and PDC not available Future Plans: ADS-C with CPDLC to cover remote areas and oceanic airspace 7

Procedures Current: Mexico City and Cancun 1 st Quarter

8 Navigation/Charts Instrument Approaches are designed per PANS-OPS Integration of Continuous Descent Profile Procedures Current: Mexico City and Cancun 1 st Quarter 2014: Guadalajara and Monterrey Departure/Arrival Notification 8

9 Navigation/Charts (Continued) ILS Approach Minimums (ALL non Skd) higher minimums 9

10 Surveillance Transponder 7500, 7600, IFR from non-radar airspace with no code assigned ADS-B Surveillance project launched mid-2013 for Mexico City and Mazatlan Offshore - Gulf of Mexico Houston Center 10

11 Weather/Terrain SENEAM issues WX conditions and forecasts Rainy season May through October Hurricane season June through November Fog, Haze, and Smoke winter months High Altitude Airports summer and winter considerations Volcanic activity 11

12 Ground Operations Customs/Handling Flight Plan Filing Fueling Catering 12

arrival multiple authorities will greet the airplane Handler, Health, and Customs Passports, licenses, and forms will

13 Customs/Handling - Overview Know where to go: Customs Ramp vs. GAT Ramp Familiarization with local procedures is essential Must re-clear customs if returning due to maintenance Upon arrival multiple authorities will greet the airplane Handler, Health, and Customs Passports, licenses, and forms will be collected Military may perform random search of aircraft with dogs Ensure required forms are filled out and ready for CIQ Handler may have customs cards prepared and ready 13

Customs/Handling Clearing CIQ Screening of Passengers and Crew Handler will provide passenger escort to CIQ Recommend that one crewmember accompany passengers if crew is screened separately Handler

14 Customs/Handling Clearing CIQ Screening of Passengers and Crew Handler will provide passenger escort to CIQ Recommend that one crewmember accompany passengers if crew is screened separately Handler will return to aircraft and assist with crew screening Documents be prepared for inspection under a magnifying glass Landing Permit: Single entry or Multiple entry Airport authority (DGAC) issues permit Single entry permit can take 40 minutes to issue 14

Customs/Handling Clearing CIQ (continued) Baggage Screening All baggage will be offloaded Baggage will be x-rayed Random physical search of baggage occurs in front of passengers If clearing at

15 Customs/Handling Clearing CIQ (continued) Baggage Screening All baggage will be offloaded Baggage will be x-rayed Random physical search of baggage occurs in front of passengers If clearing at Customs ramp, baggage might be transferred to GAT No Firearms/Ammo without permit Time to clear 25 to 45 minutes depending on location Anticipate delays (Part 135 flights undergo additional scrutiny) 15

to file flight plans Once flight plan is accepted and stamped sent to ATC (30 min) Flight plan valid for 90

16 Flight Plans The Captain or a licensed dispatcher are the only individuals authorized to file a flight plan with SENEAM Some airports require that the Handler be authorized by the DGAC as a Oficina de Despacho (Dispatch Office) to file flight plans Once flight plan is accepted and stamped sent to ATC (30 min) Flight plan valid for 90 minutes If flight plan expires, you must re-file a new flight plan Outstanding SENEAM fees? Flight plan will be denied 16

included Quality of fuel contamination risk?

17 Fueling ASA primary fueler Anticipate Delays Make advance arrangements Verify payment methods Air Traffic service fees included Quality of fuel contamination risk? What s the condition of the truck? Fuel testing done upon request DIY: Shell Water Detector Test Kit 17

18 Catering Bringing food into Mexico? In general, all non-prepackaged food must be disposed upon arrival Flexibility is key as daily procedures might change CIQ/Handler might allow storage of non-prepackaged foods during a daytrip or remain in aircraft Catering order in Mexico? Order through handler or crew hotel, some GAT s have kitchen on site MMTO Great Margaritas! Website and orders work great 18

19 Health and Security Health Risks Security Risks Airport/Aircraft Security Ground Transportation Safety Hotel Safety 19

Health Overview Cholera - CDC Watch Level 1 Practice usual precautions with food and water Oral vaccine is available Dengue Fever - Risk present and increasing year over year The disease

20 Health Overview Cholera - CDC Watch Level 1 Practice usual precautions with food and water Oral vaccine is available Dengue Fever - Risk present and increasing year over year The disease is spread by mosquitoes Present in both rural and urban areas There is no vaccine, prevention is key (i.e. DEET) Health Information: CDC, MedAire, mdtravelhealth.com, thetraveldoctor.com 20

Security Overview Travel Warning The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling in Mexico due to threats to safety and security posed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in the country.

21 Security Overview Travel Warning The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling in Mexico due to threats to safety and security posed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in the country. Main criminal activity: cartels, gangs, bandits Carjacking Street Robbery Planned/Virtual kidnap Express kidnap 21

22 Security Overview (Continued) Obtain a security brief for each location and utilize ISP and other resources for recent and relevant reports Make security decisions based on the threat level assessment for your destination as each location has its own risk factors Crime Hot Spots Monterrey: Express kidnapping Mexico City: Carjacking and Express kidnapping Cabo/Cancun: Robbery/Carjacking 22

23 Security Airport and Aircraft Most airports have a security presence with both airport police and military patrol of ramp areas Utilize security precautions when parking an aircraft overnight (i.e. security tape, lighted area, alarm) Ramp access in most cases is controlled, requiring crew/passenger escort to aircraft Recommendation that aircraft have security guard for overnight or anytime the crew leaves the airport 23

Security Ground Transportation Do NOT take public transportation Do NOT drive a rental car Use a English Speaking Vetted Driver or Security Trained Driver Vetted driver:

24 Security Ground Transportation Do NOT take public transportation Do NOT drive a rental car Use a English Speaking Vetted Driver or Security Trained Driver Vetted driver: established business relationship with handler Security trained - driver trained in: High speed reversals Recovery from crisis situations Evasive driving Using vehicle as a weapon 24

Security Ground Transportation (Continued) Always use prepaid transportation and obtain driver and vehicle info Transportation Recommendations based on location: Border Mexico: Juarez, Tijuana, etc.

25 Security Ground Transportation (Continued) Always use prepaid transportation and obtain driver and vehicle info Transportation Recommendations based on location: Border Mexico: Juarez, Tijuana, etc. English Speaking Security Trained driver with armed EP agent Business Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, etc. English Speaking Security Trained driver (possible armed EP agent) Resort Mexico: Cabo, Cancun, etc. English speaking vetted driver 25

Security Hotels Utilize ISP, Handler, and Security Provider for guidance Avoid American flagged hotels and locations near government buildings Recommend 4 or 5 star

26 Security Hotels Utilize ISP, Handler, and Security Provider for guidance Avoid American flagged hotels and locations near government buildings Recommend 4 or 5 star hotels Low rise hotels (2 nd 5 th floor) Consider hotel surroundings Evaluate evacuation plans Keep track of your crew - communicate Lock passports/cash in suitcase at night 26

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Caribbean Sky Tours Summary Review of Mexico Airspace and ATC Over-Time Fees

Caribbean Sky Tours Summary Review of Mexico Airspace and ATC Over-Time Fees Overview Mexico has a unique regulation identifying the methodology for charging aircraft operators for the use of their airspace or Flight Information Region (FIR) and for over-time charges for the use