Member's Home Forums General Discussion Mexico Mexico Aeronautical & Regulatory 406 MHz ELT Exemption

Those of you who have followed our actions over many years will know that we have been lobbying for deferrals and extensions to the 406 MHz ELT requirement for private aircraft visiting Mexico. Our last extension request was granted in October of 2015 and was valid until June 30 of 2018.

We have already submitted a formal request for another extension and are waiting for a reply. As soon as we hear the DGAC's response, we will let everybody know.

We have been advised by Mexico's DGAC that there will NOT BE any further extensions to the date for 406 MHz ELT compliance. Therefore, starting Sunday, July 01, 2018 all visiting US or Canadian registered aircraft must have a 406 MHz ELT installed to travel to Mexico. Failing to have a 406 MHz ELT can result in an enforcement action. Recent experience has led us to believe that it is entirely possible that enforcement action may be taken on pilots of aircraft that do not comply. We have been advised they WILL NOT accept a SPOT, Garmin Inreach, Spidertracks, 406 MHz PLB or any other tracking device as a substitute.


NOTIFICATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT AND THE DATE OF ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN SENT BY DGAC HEADQUARTERS TO ALL THE DGAC OFFICES AT MEXICAN AIRPORTS.


It is very possible that the DGAC at certain airports in Mexico may inspect visiting US or Canadian aircraft for these ELTs. Anyone planning a trip to Mexico who does not have a 406 MHz ELT should take this into consideration.

CST Members with aircraft that do not have 406 MHz ELTs and are evaluating their options should consider that The Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, USVI DO NOT require 406 MHz ELTs.

Starting July 01, 2018 piston powered aircraft with an MTOW below 12,500 lbs will be required to have a 406 MHz ELT. This requirement has been zealously communicated by Mexico s DGAC headquarters to their regional and airport Comandantes. As we have called around to DGAC offices at airports around the country, we have found that the interpretation and planned enforcement of the new regulations vary greatly. At some airports, they plan to focus on Mexican registered aircraft while at others they will inspect everybody. Some airports plan to inspect aircraft when they renew their Airworthiness Certificate (Mexican registered aircraft) whereas others plan instant ramp checks of all aircraft. Proof of compliance ranges from presenting logbook entries (original logbooks) to accepting copies of logbook entries. Some DGAC inspectors are planning to make a physical inspection of the ELT (yes, really). The planned consequences for failing to comply range from a warning, to a full blown enforcement action with aircraft grounding and fine. In short, it will be a dynamic situation until things die down.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that if you DO have a 406 MHz ELT installed in your aircraft and you plan to fly to Mexico, that you at least bring photocopies of your logbook entries that document the installation of the 406 MHz ELT. It would be best to bring the original logbook as well, if possible. Any additional documentation such as NOAA registration documents (showing tail number), ELT invoice, etc. would be advisable. If you DO NOT have a 406 MHz ELT, we urge you to avoid flights to Mexico until you have one installed.

As AOPA's authorized representative in Mexico, we are the ones who have been making the requests over the years for extensions to the 406 MHz ELT deadline on AOPA s behalf. We also set up the meeting between AOPA's Mark Baker and the DGAC here in Mexico City where this matter was discussed in depth. Based on our experience lately assisting AOPA members who have run into trouble with the DGAC in Mexico, and after seeing how their matters have been resolved, we believe that you should take this matter very seriously.

While we are always happy to assist pilots who have problems down here, we would prefer to help them avoid getting into trouble in the first place.

As a reminder to all pilots. Starting today, all aircraft are required to have a 406 MH ELT installed in order to travel to Mexico. Inspections of aircraft to ensure compliance are expected.