Cancun area - direct over the gulf.

[jetdriven]

I have been considering the idea of flying my M20J over the gulf from Houston to Cancun for a long weekend in the spring. Has anyone else toyed with that idea? Others have done it.

[1964-M20E]

Byron

All I can say is a year or two ago several were flying from Cancun in a Malibu and ran out of fuel about 100 to 150 milles S of N.O. all were OK and the plane went to the bottom. They were rescued by a drilling ship nearby.

I did read an article by someone I'm not sure if it was here or not that did the trip you are talking about. The trip went well according to the article

[Parker_Woodruff]

There are more risky things you could do, but I'd still probably stick out the trip over land.

I'd feel a bit lonely and I don't like being lonely and thinking about the possibility of being cold and wet.

[Becca]

Byron is considering this trip alone, so he will definitely be lonely. I am ok with the Bahamas - short hop, on radar the whole time, etc. Definitely going to do that over Christmas (Staniel Cay, anyone been there? Other advice is welcome!) I am not ok with over Gulf. Call me irrational (yes, we also fly over forests and mountains), but that's where I draw my line. Not to mention, round trip tickets from IAH-Cancun are about $250, direct, 2 hr flight, the Mooney just isn't idael for that mission nor is it an adventure I want.

Byron thinks because he bought a life raft that was last packed and tested in 1994, we're good. Oh, and because he flies 747's over the north atlantic (I remind him that has four engines). Just saying.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Oh, and because he flies 747's over the north atlantic (I remind him that has four engines). Just saying.

Well the Mooney has 4 cylinders. What's the problem?

[DaV8or]

I'm sure the chances are good that you'll be fine, but I would be wondering, if something did go wrong and you had to ditch, what are the rescue services like thoughout the flight. I'd guess near the US you get USCG and near Mexico maybe their equivilent? In the middle??? How about radar coverage, or comms? I'd also want in addition to a life vest and the raft (which I would have repacked, or inspected first) I'd want both an 406 ELT on the plane and a 406 waterproof PLB.

[FoxMike]

Byron,

Certainly a doable trip. I have not flown that route but have crossed the Gulf several times and last year did a lap around the Gulf and Caribbean (Florida/Dominican Republic/San Martin/ Grenada/Curacao/Panama/Guatemala). You need to check into the cost of landing and parking in Cancun. The last I heard the costs were horrendous. Trip will take some planning and some overwater equipment.

[fantom]

Byron is considering this trip alone, so he will definitely be lonely.

I've thought about it many times and know a few folks down here who've done it from SoFL Byron, but I'm with Becca on this one.

Not enough radar, too much water, expensive fuel even way LOP, and lots of:

[Becca]

I've thought about it many times and know a few folks down here who've done it from SoFL Byron, but I'm with Becca on this one.

Not enough radar, too much water, expensive fuel even way LOP, and lots of:

And, little known fact, I am the swimmer and diver, Byron is TERRIFIED of fish. Even little minnows he worries will "bite him" so he basically never swims in open water if he can avoid it. And he wants to do this.

[Piloto]

Check http://www.ivaous.org/main/atc/oceanic/ho for Houston Oceanic requirements. Like in any oceanic environment there is no radar, neither VHF coverage. Traffic is controlled via pilot position report via HF radio. You will need to have HF capability for this crossing. Check http://www.aircraftdelivery.net/ferrypilotforms/706_In_Airplane.pdf for an HF installation in a Mooney. You will also need a raft. life vests, portable PLB and a portable marine radio.

I have ferried Mooneys to Europe and South America and consider the M20J the safest of all. Check the winds before departure.

You can also make the trip from Key West without the need for the HF capability.

José

[jetdriven]

And, little known fact, I am the swimmer and diver, Byron is TERRIFIED of fish. Even little minnows he worries will "bite him" so he basically never swims in open water if he can avoid it. And he wants to do this.

Seeing as how I sailed a boat with a crew from Galveston to Isla Mujeres and back (6 days each way), suffice to say I am not lacking in adventure. However, we men have evolved to the point where we can build conveyances to take us across the ocean, and avoid the sharks. That, and a M20J can do it in 5 hours.

[Oscar Avalle]

I have floqn from key qest to cancun. Very nice flight. Necer too far away from land and always in contact with ATC.

[fantom]

It's 350+ NM direct from Key West to Cancun feet very wet the entire time. What radio's do you have Oscar, how high are you and Who's ATC are you always in contact with?

[320KPH]

Make sure you fill er up!

On October 9, 2009, about 2120 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Mooney M20, N2558Y, ditched in the Gulf of Mexico, following loss of engine power. The certificated private pilot and two passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed from Tampa Executive Airport (VDF), Tampa, Florida, and had a destination of The Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The flight departed VDF about 2045 EDT and the pilot was being provided visual flight rules (VFR) flight following to his intended destination by Air Traffic Control. About 2115 the pilot radioed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center and reported a loss of engine power and that he was ditching in the Gulf of Mexico. At 0930 on October 10, 2009 the United States Coast Guard rescued the pilot and two passengers from a crab pot buoy. The occupants sustained minor injuries from the impact.

The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he had filled the fuel tanks prior to departing MTH; however the pilot further stated that the receipt from the self-service fuel pump was probably in the airplane when it sank. In a review of self service fuel records at MTH on October 9, 2009 at 1750 the pilot had purchased 17.36 gallons of fuel on his personal credit card.

According to the fix based operator line manager at VDF, the accident airplane and pilot landed at the airport and his two passengers, who had been waiting, went to and got in the airplane while the engine was still running. The airplane then taxied out and departed. The airplane did not receive fuel.

According to maintenance records acquired from several maintenance facilities. The engine had undergone a major overhaul on October 13, 2006 and was installed in the airplane on November 7, 2006. On September 18, 2009, the airplane, engine, and propeller had undergone an annual inspection. At the time of the annual inspection the airframe total time was 5,721.49 hours and the engine had 68.02 hours since major overhaul.

According to FAA records the pilot had a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent third class medical was issued on May 27, 2008 and at that time listed 700 hours of total flight experience.

The 2053 recorded weather observation at MTH, reported winds from 110 degrees at 7 knots, scattered clouds at 2,400 feet above ground level (agl) and at and 2,900 agl , temperature 29 degrees C, dew point 23 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.

At the time of this writing the airplane wreckage had not been located.

[rocketman]

In 1988 when I first purchased my 201, I flew from New Orleans to Cozumel with 4 adults, during the evening hours. Despite strong tail winds, we landed far short of FAA mandatory reserves of fuel. On the return flight, we decided NOT to do this again and flew over Cuban airpace through Florida and back home. I had only the standard 64 gallons of gas on board

To this date and after 27 years of flying, I think the Gulf of Mexico flight was the worse decision of any flight I have ever made. And I speak of this frequently knowing that there were no options mid flight. When flying and driving, I always try to leave myself alternatives. Sometimes thats not possible for only for a short part of a trip. Flying over the Gulf leaves you no options, no second guessing, and no immediate availablity of Help if needed.

So if you want my two cents, just count the number of NO's in this response compared to the number of Yes's.. Pretty obvious.

[jetdriven]

In 1988 when I first purchased my 201, I flew from New Orleans to Cozumel with 4 adults, during the evening hours. Despite strong tail winds, we landed far short of FAA mandatory reserves of fuel. On the return flight, we decided NOT to do this again and flew over Cuban airpace through Florida and back home. I had only the standard 64 gallons of gas on board

To this date and after 27 years of flying, I think the Gulf of Mexico flight was the worse decision of any flight I have ever made. And I speak of this frequently knowing that there were no options mid flight. When flying and driving, I always try to leave myself alternatives. Sometimes thats not possible for only for a short part of a trip. Flying over the Gulf leaves you no options, no second guessing, and no immediate availablity of Help if needed.

So if you want my two cents, just count the number of NO's in this response compared to the number of Yes's.. Pretty obvious.

what was your FF, TAS, altitude, and flight time? It should be easily doable

[Joe Zuffoletto]

It's a very doable flight, but that's too much water for me in a piston single. I'd do it in a heartbeat in a turbine-powered bird, though.

Also, I know from my flight from El Paso, TX to Cabo San Lucas last spring that Mexican radar and ATC are very sketchy in spots, even over the mainland. I was IFR at FL180 and they lost radar contact with me for about 30 minutes while I was over the Sierra Madre mountains. No big deal as conditions were VFR, but the clench factor would have gone way up had I been out in the middle of the Gulf.

[Oscar Avalle]

It's 350+ NM direct from Key West to Cancun feet very wet the entire time. What radio's do you have Oscar, how high are you and Who's ATC are you always in contact with?

First I contacted Miami Center, then Cuba and finally Mexico, I think it was Cancun or Cozumel, I really do not remember. But all the time I was in contact with one of them. I also talked to several airliners just for reassurance.

I have two Garmin 430 on board. In reality you are never far from land. The only "scary" part is before you reach mexico. For a short period of time you don't see land and you feel kind a lonely... ... You asked me about my altitude, I went up to 12000 feet.

Then I continued to Belize and finally to Guatemala. Total flying time 6.5 hours! Although I had 21 gallon ferry tank on board at the end of the trip I was getting nervous.

[fantom]

Thanks for the details, Oscar.

I would need floats for reassurance.

[Piloto]

Thanks for the details, Oscar.

I would need floats for reassurance.

Not if you go with Dolly Parton. She is rated for Pacific crossings

[Seth]

Not if you go with Dolly Parton. She is rated for Pacific crossings

Hahahahaha. Sorry if this offended anyone, but it sure made me smile in between client meetings today

-Seth

[Oscar Avalle]

I have to agree...

[DaV8or]

Byron-

I'm in Isla Mujeres right now. I drove by the airport several times today. It's deserted with no planes on it and I have yet to see something other than an airliner in the sky. Runway looks decent, but it's old asphalt that is degrading, so it looks kind of like a gravel road. At either end of the runway there are cement block buildings, you really need to be serious about the whole, clear 50' obstacle thing! Tomorrow I'll take some pictures for you. If you come here, you'll have the place all to yourself.

[DaV8or]

I was going to attach pictures, but I seems I can't from my iPad. Oh well.

[N201MKTurbo]

Instead of spending the money for a raft and HF, just buy a little extra gas and fly along the mexican coast and check out the beautiful country,