406 MHz ELT for Mexico

[Rick Gardner]

As posted on the AOPA website, Mexican regulation NOM-012-SCT3-2001 requires that as of July 1, 2008 all aircraft flying to Mexico must have a 406 MHz ELT. Caribbean Sky Tours and AOPA have already jointly presented formal requests that US registered aircraft be exempted from this requirement due to the fact that US aircraft are not required to have a 406 MHz ELT in the US. I spoke with the Director of Aviaiton of the DGAC today,(the department responsible for this regulation) and they are looking favorably at our requests and trying to find a legal solution. We hope to have more details by the end of next week.

[Rick Gardner]

I just hung up with the Director of Aviation of Mexico's DGAC. The following is a summary of our conversation and the posiiton that the DGAC is moving towards.

An official circular will be generated shortly but the DGAC's position is that general aviation aircraft that have not upgraded their 121.5 MHz ELT will be exempted from the Mexican regulation and no 406 MHz ELT would be required. Aircraft that upgrade their ELT's would require a 406 MHz ELT. The DGAC strongly recommends, however, that aircraft visiting Mexico carry a personal 406 MHz PLB.

So, if you are planning to travel to Mexico in the coming weeks, you should not have any issues with this regulation. If anyone has any doubts or additional questions you can contact me at 1-866-420-9265.

I want to thank the Mexican DGAC for taking our petition into consideration and for working with us as closely as they have.

[Rick Gardner]

Although unofficial verbal communications have indicated a willingness to allow U.S. registered aircraft to operate in Mexico without complying with the 406 MHz ELT requirement, THERE IS STILL NO OFFICIAL PUBLICATION from the Mexican DGAC on this matter. As early as today we received additional feedback from within the DGAC indicating that this issue is being addressed at the highest levels of the DGAC and that a resolution is forthcoming. In the meantime, the July 1’st date continues to be the “official” date. We will continue to monitor this situation and make all attempts to obtain an official statement prior to July 1, 2008. We will continue to publish updates on the NEWS page of the Caribbean Sky Tours website.