48 Corpus Christi - Cancun
2. May
One reason for going to Corpus Christi was the fact, that leaving the UA has to be by an designated airport, and KCRP was such an airport. It was very simple procedure to leave, as all I had to do, was to give the departure tab, given to me on entry, to the Signature staff.
Wednesday morning I was ready to leave, and the plane was returned to me by the workshop, where I had the oil change done. I was told, that by checking he fuel strainer they had discovered a fuel leak. It turned out, that there was an o-ring missing! Not very good at all, as the fuel strainer is only about 5 inches (12 cm) from the exhaust pipe!!
Not only that. The plug, that is removed to drain the oil, was half undone, and it was not secured by a metal string.
Not very comforting to know, since I had just spent more than 17 hours, over the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in the plane – with lots of fuel on board.
But now I should be good to make it the rest of my journey without further service needed. I also stocked up with oil, so I have enough to refill along the way.
I had filed an IFR flight plan the day before, as Mexico requires that. I departed for Cancun by a route that took me about 150 M up the coast to Houston, before there is an airway (B743) that goes across the Mexican Gulf.
I requested a more direct routing, and about 70 miles from Scholes VOR, I was allowed to go a by more direct route. I had good weather all the way.
I used VFR radio all the way, and was only for a short time, I was out of range with Merida Center. But an America Airlines plane above me, was kind enough to relay my position.
Arriving in Cancun went smooth by ILS runway 12, and I taxied to the general aviation terminal. I was guided through customs and emigrating with the help of Azul, the FBO there, and it was a lot of papers and signatures, before everything had been taken care of. All papers for the plane – including insurance papers, was checked, and a fee of 60 dollars was paid.
I was told a taxi for the about 15 km ride to Cancun would be 70 dollars. I walked to the public terminal and got a taxi for 45.
