GSAAA Update #2 Tehuantepec, Mexico January 1, 1996
December 28, 1995
Cleared Mexican Customs at Piedras Negras, right across the Rio Grande from
Eagle Pass. As always, there were a few communication problems; while the
crew thought they were buying insurance for the Mexican leg of the trip, they
were actually being overcharged for landing fees. That's life! This at least
gave Kevin and Paul a chance to practice the gestures they will use to
communicate the rest of the trip in Spanish speaking countries. They needed
all of their gesturing abilities for a couple of their landings in Mexico
(more later).
Beautiful flying weather down to Monterey, Mexico, but on the way to Ciudad
Victoria, hit a solid deck at 3000' and went down to stay under the clouds.
Kevin and Paul piloted the plane down into a few valleys in an attempt to stay
under the cloud cover then into some light snow (just like home).
In Ciudad Victoria, Paul and Kevin enjoyed the benefits of a 7 to 1 peso to
dollar exchange rate; the hotel was reasonably priced and even the $13.00 taxi
ride didn't seem too out of line. The crew met a group of fliers from
Colorado that had been socked in Ciudad Victoria for four days.
December 29, 1995
Paul and Kevin decided the weather was good enough to get off; if they stayed
low and did a little "scud-running". The only equipment problem thus far is a
broken trim wire indicator. Spent the day trying to avoid the worst of the
weather nearer the coast and eating the beef jerky supplied by Tom Blair. The
Air Traffic Controllers seem to be caught up in the GSAAA; they are calling
ahead so that the people on the flight path are generally expecting to see
Kevin and Paul arrive. In general, the cost of fuel has been about $1.25 per
gallon and landing fees about $15.00. Refueled in Tampico and flew on the
Tuxpan under poor weather conditions. In Tuxpan soldiers with rifles lined up
across the landing field in an attempt to keep the plane from landing; since
the fuel was low and no optional landing site was available, the pilots
continued on a landing glide path and the soldiers, or police, (its never
really clear which) scattered at the last minute. Apparently, the airfield
access was restricted; this time the gestures were obviously sufficient to get
the bayonets lowered. Even though no one at the air strip spoke English, Paul
and Kevin did manage to get fuel and spend the night. The cab ride to the
hotel cost $3.00 one way and one GSAAA ballcap the other.
December 30, 1995
The weather continued to be marginal for the leg of the trip to Vera Cruz,
once again the crew stayed low and flew under the weather. While in Vera
Cruz, a local pilot recommended that Kevin and Paul change their flight path
to avoid some renewed fighting between the government and rebels south of Vera
Cruz in the Minatitlan (get out your maps!) area. Paul and Kevin met some
fellow travelers from Oregon and exchanged tales of adventures and conditions
at points further south in the itinerary. A few items of note; Paul's silk
scarf is getting signed at each stop, some of the signatures are real works of
art. Paul and Kevin plan to off-load more weight at Guatemala City; one of
the previous weight reductions must have included the maps of Southern Mexico,
because they can't be found. Engine run-in looks to be complete; fuel
consumption has decreased from 12 gals/hr to 7 gals/hr at about 100 mph ground
speed. A Visa card is pretty much accepted every where and certainly takes
the sting out of exchanging money.
December 31, 1995
Paul and Kevin flew across to the west coast of Mexico. Slow going through
windy passes and 40 knot headwinds -- It took about 2« hours to travel 100
miles. The trip required some intense concentration to pilot in these
conditions. Kevin and Paul landed at Tehuantepec once again to be surrounded
by soldiers with weapons; at least they didn't try to stop the landing. The
gestures worked again and the soldiers backed off and were pretty friendly
after they determined that "Hobson's Choice" was not a threat. Paul and Kevin
took a taxi to the nearby town of Salina Cruz for some New Year's Eve revelry.
The best summary is no major equipment problems, every day has been spent
flying and the people have been very helpful. The GSAAA is pretty much back
on schedule and doing good. Guatemala is next!