Today we formally presented our request to extend the 406 MHz ELT requirement for US and Canadian registered aircraft visiting Mexico.

We have once again begun working with Mexico's DGAC to request another postponement of the 406 MHz ELT requirement. This is an issue that we have been working on with the DGAC since 2008 and have been successful in getting postponements to this requirement in writing. We have submitted a number of documents including risk analysis, economic analysis and precedents in other countries to make our point. We are also working closely with the Mexican Federation of Pilots, FEMPPA, who have similar interests in seeing this regulation postponed (or hopefully eliminated) for private aircraft.

With the change of power here in Mexico at the end of last year, we decided to wait until the new head of the DGAC was selected and the for the subsequent shake-ups to work their way through before beginning to request an extension of the existing deadline of June 30, 2013. Today we had a positive conference call with the DGAC in Mexico City and we will continue to provide whatever information they require.

As always, we are grateful to Mexico's DGAC for being receptive to our petitions and to those of the other general aviation organizations here in Mexico who have all worked hard to get these postponements enacted.

We will keep you posted on how things progress.

Rick Gardner
Caribbean Sky Tours