CalifDan
Orbiting Earth
Baja
On Saturday we all visited downtown Mulege. It is about a 40 minute walk from the airport area and Hotel Serenidad. We walked around town, did a little shopping, and had a nice lunch.
Saturday evenings at Hotel Serenidad are very interesting. they roast a whole pig and there can be quite a crowd for dinner. Music and a free margarita are included and the roasted pig is worth the stand in line to get. All 18 of us were there for dinner.
The next morning it was time to check ou, load up and start the long trip home. We originally had planned to head north to Ensenada to check out o Mexico and then stop in San Diego for US Customs. That was based on bumming a ride over to the Pacific side for the whale watching, but we wound up flying the Duchess over and back. That still allowed me enough fuel to get to Ensenada, but put me right at 45 minute reserves. Not enough.
Instead, we flew with everyone else back to Guaymus and fueled and checked out. From there it was a direct flight, 2.5 hours into Calexico.
A DVFR flight plan is required for coming across the ADIZ. Customs requires that you hit your projected arrival time within 15 minutes each way or there is a potential for a $5000 fine. I had filed for a 14:30 arrival in Calexico. You can, with 30 minutes notice alter your arrival time. Fortunately, San Diego Radio picks up well from 90 miles out, which is where I called them for my ADIZ transponder code. They responded that I was expected in 5 mintues (it was 13:55 local). I told them that I had filed for 14:30 local. Apparently, they had it wrong. They said no problem and would update US Customs. I arrived at Calexico at 14:36.
The Border Patrol agent ushers you into a line, nose to tail and asked us to bring the Aircraft Registration, airworthiness certificate, pilots license, passports, etc. in. He asked what we were bringing back but did not ask to see into any bags. In fact, they stayed loaded in the aircraft. It only took about 8 minutes to clear with them inside. While we did that, they Border patrol agent went out and ordered our fuel. Very helpful and very polite.
We parked the Duchess in transient and went to the airport restaurant for a hamburger. We left Calexico about 4:30 and arrived back in Napa 3:20 later just as it was getting dark.
The trip was fantastic on many levels. First, we met and had four great days with 16 new friends. I met Gary Cavasos and his delightful family and that's worth a trip of a thousand miles for any of you who get the opportunity. I spent 6 exclusive days with my Dad and we have not done that in, well, maybe ever. We got to pet whales.
I got to see what I think is the real Mexico which is not the perception we get at border towns. I met nice friendly people more than happy to help out and share.
I got to land on dirt and visit some very remote places. I had no headwinds on the entire trip. That's right, only no wind or tail winds and they were mostly tailwinds. And you all know that that never happens. I don't think that we were in turbulent air for more than an hour and most of that was pretty light. The rest was smooth.
The Duchess performed perfectly. I left with 7 quarts of oil per side and returned at exactly 6 (I had 4 quarts with me just in case), which is where I add. Not bad for 16 hours of flying.
Dan Jonas
On Saturday we all visited downtown Mulege. It is about a 40 minute walk from the airport area and Hotel Serenidad. We walked around town, did a little shopping, and had a nice lunch.
Saturday evenings at Hotel Serenidad are very interesting. they roast a whole pig and there can be quite a crowd for dinner. Music and a free margarita are included and the roasted pig is worth the stand in line to get. All 18 of us were there for dinner.
The next morning it was time to check ou, load up and start the long trip home. We originally had planned to head north to Ensenada to check out o Mexico and then stop in San Diego for US Customs. That was based on bumming a ride over to the Pacific side for the whale watching, but we wound up flying the Duchess over and back. That still allowed me enough fuel to get to Ensenada, but put me right at 45 minute reserves. Not enough.
Instead, we flew with everyone else back to Guaymus and fueled and checked out. From there it was a direct flight, 2.5 hours into Calexico.
A DVFR flight plan is required for coming across the ADIZ. Customs requires that you hit your projected arrival time within 15 minutes each way or there is a potential for a $5000 fine. I had filed for a 14:30 arrival in Calexico. You can, with 30 minutes notice alter your arrival time. Fortunately, San Diego Radio picks up well from 90 miles out, which is where I called them for my ADIZ transponder code. They responded that I was expected in 5 mintues (it was 13:55 local). I told them that I had filed for 14:30 local. Apparently, they had it wrong. They said no problem and would update US Customs. I arrived at Calexico at 14:36.
The Border Patrol agent ushers you into a line, nose to tail and asked us to bring the Aircraft Registration, airworthiness certificate, pilots license, passports, etc. in. He asked what we were bringing back but did not ask to see into any bags. In fact, they stayed loaded in the aircraft. It only took about 8 minutes to clear with them inside. While we did that, they Border patrol agent went out and ordered our fuel. Very helpful and very polite.
We parked the Duchess in transient and went to the airport restaurant for a hamburger. We left Calexico about 4:30 and arrived back in Napa 3:20 later just as it was getting dark.
The trip was fantastic on many levels. First, we met and had four great days with 16 new friends. I met Gary Cavasos and his delightful family and that's worth a trip of a thousand miles for any of you who get the opportunity. I spent 6 exclusive days with my Dad and we have not done that in, well, maybe ever. We got to pet whales.
I got to see what I think is the real Mexico which is not the perception we get at border towns. I met nice friendly people more than happy to help out and share.
I got to land on dirt and visit some very remote places. I had no headwinds on the entire trip. That's right, only no wind or tail winds and they were mostly tailwinds. And you all know that that never happens. I don't think that we were in turbulent air for more than an hour and most of that was pretty light. The rest was smooth.
The Duchess performed perfectly. I left with 7 quarts of oil per side and returned at exactly 6 (I had 4 quarts with me just in case), which is where I add. Not bad for 16 hours of flying.
Dan Jonas