We just completed another round of meetings over a two day period with the Director General of Mexico's DGAC (Mexico's civil aviation authority) as well as the Director General of ASA (the government agency that oversees fuel distribution in Mexico) and their respective direct reports. The following is a summary of what is underway here in Mexico:

406 MHz ELT: We have continued to provide the DGAC and the national committee on aeronautical NORMS and REGULATIONS with our data, analysis and proposals over the last two years. The DGAC has continued to postpone implementation while they review this information and that provided by Mexican pilots and aircraft owners. We have been asked to continue to work with the regulatory and technical branches of the DGAC over the next several months to find an acceptable solution.

Mexico insurance: There continues to be mis-information circulated that indicates that pilots must buy "special Mexico insurance". The DGAC will be issuing a communiqué that we will publish which will clarify this topic so that pilots will be better informed as to what the true requirements are.

Entry procedures: There have been a number of US registered aircraft illegaly providing for-hire services in Mexico which has triggered a review of the entry process for aircraft into Mexico. We have been asked to be a part of this review to ensure that visiting GA aircraft are not affected.

Fueling: There are a number of major improvements planned for 2010 to automate and expedite the invoicing and credit card payment processes for ASA fuel trucks. We have been asked to be part of a national task force to improve services for general aviation aircraft at airports and fuel depots run by ASA (about 95% of the fuel sold in Mexico). We ask any pilot that has specific problems with ASA fuel or ASA airports to advise us ASAP with the details so that we can channel it to the committee to have it addressed.

We would like to thank AOPA and COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association) for their continued support. For more details, visit our NEWS page at the Caribbean Sky Tours website.