**MILAGRO/INTEX-B Mission Site Survey**

**Veracruz & Mexico City, Mexico**

**November 30 - December 2, 2005**

#### Mike Gaunce, NASA ESPO

Purpose of site survey was to assess J-31 and King Air operations for
the MILAGRO mission from Veracruz airport and to meet with Mexican
personnel to discuss required logistics and air traffic issues.
Discussions focused on site logistics, required clearances, flight
planning and air traffic control, and other considerations for
operations in Mexico.

NASA participants included: Phil Russell, Chris Hostetler, Leslie Kagey,
Mike Wusk, Martin Trout, and Mike Gaunce. NCAR participants included
Jose Meitin and Ed Ringleman. Bob Hannigan from DOE and Joseph Hovelman
from Sky Research also attended.

I.  General Heriberto Jara International Airport, Veracruz, Mexico

Met with Mr. Alfonso Pacheco, Veracruz Airport Finance and
Administration Manager and Mr. Arturo Cejas, Operations and Maintenance
Manager. Both work for ASUR, a private company which operates the
airport under contract from the Mexican government. We reviewed J-31 and
King Air operations plans, schedules, and logistics with the ASUR
representatives. Airport personnel were amenable to proposed aircraft
plans and to locating ground-based instruments (e.g., Cimel radiometer)
on the nearby grounds or possible rooftops.

Site survey team reviewed ramp area where MILAGRO aircraft will be
located and adjacent areas where support trailers will be located.
Airport personnel felt there was sufficient ramp space to accommodate
four-five MILAGRO aircraft. There is no available hangar space at the
airport. The airport has ground support equipment available for rent,
such as stairs, belt loader, and power unit through two FBOs, SEAT and
Menzies Aviation. The airport would charge landing, ramp, and flight
plan filing fees. Each aircraft will need to set up an account with ASUR
to pay for these fees (fee schedule was provided). Customs declaration
forms (for aircraft) were provided and distributed to G-1, J-31, King
Air, and C-130 flight personnel. (Individual immigration and customs
forms will be required for all personnel entering the country.)

Aircraft fuel is provided by ASA services. Fuel costs are currently
around \$5.3 pesos/l (\$1.90/gal), plus taxes and fees. ASA can accept
multi-service cards (account types 1802 and 4991). Hours of operation
are 7 am-9 pm. Contact Christian Arigoznaga at 939-5364, 938-8330, or
938-1070.

Personnel working at the airport would need badges and car passes. The
badging will be coordinated through NCAR. Ramp training may be required
for flight operations personnel.

The Veracruz airport is located at 19.1˚ N latitude, 96.2˚ W longitude,
about 15 km (10 miles) west of the city of Veracruz. The airport has two
runways, Runway 18/36 at 2400 m by 45 m, and Runway 09/27 at 1520 m by
45 m, with limited taxiways. There is no ILS at the airport, only VOR.
Currently, Continental is the only U.S. carrier flying directly to
Veracruz. Mexicana and Aeromexico fly frequently from Mexico City to
Veracruz. Driving from Mexico City to Veracruz takes about 4-5 hours.

The airport terminal has a bank and ATM, Prodigy Mobile wireless
internet (need to buy access/minute card), and a restaurant with full
menu on the 2^nd^ floor. There is some available office space for rent
in the terminal.

Contact Info:

Alejandro Pantoja

ASUR airport manager

Aeropuerto de, S.A

apantoja@asur.com.mx

Tel: 229-934-9008

Alternate: Alfonso Pacheco

Ground Support:

Menzies Aviation, Adolfo Ulibarri, C: 229-929-0883,
<adolfo.ulibarri@menziesaviation.com>

SEAT, Alex del Moral

Gas/Cryogen Providers:

Praxair, 229-923-9316/9317.

INFRA, 229-981-0209, [www.infra.com.mx](http://www.infra.com.mx/).

AGA, 800-706-4700, 229-934-3463, www.aga.com.mx.

Other notes: English proficiency of airport personnel is limited.

II. SENEAM

Met with Ricardo Torres, Deputy Manger of Air Transit Services of SENEAM
(Mexican Air Traffic Control), and several other air traffic mangers and
officials from the Mexico City air traffic control center. Also present
was Mr. Noe Vera, the Veracruz ATC station chief. Proposed flight plans
for the MILAGRO aircraft (G-1, J-31, King Air, DC-8, and C-130) were
presented for review and comment. SENEAM also provided a description of
the air traffic sectors around Mexico City and general traffic
considerations. In general, SENEAM felt most of the proposed flight
plans were feasible, given local air traffic restrictions. However,
SENEAM pointed out the need to get clearances for restricted military
airspace north and east of Mexico City. This requires additional
coordination by NCAR. There is also significant helicopter traffic
between Mexico City and Toluca which needs to be accounted for in flight
plan development.

Regarding military airspace restrictions, the Mexican military has
scheduled use of MMR-102 between Veracruz and Mexico City every M-F
700-1300 L. During these operations, the use of this airspace, and the
airways through it, are restricted from the surface to 52,000 ft. This
will force any of our mission aircraft to use alternate northerly
routing to the Mexico City valley, as well as prohibit any research work
in the confines of the MMR-102 airspace. The military\'s schedule
cancellation of this area restriction is not typically communicated to
SENEAM until into the day\'s scheduled flight window. Prior day mission
planning (on the chance that the Mexican military cancels) to use this
airspace will be very risky unless it is for weekends or weekdays after
1300 L. Potential for better coordination with the military scheduling
is considered uncertain, but is to be pursed as part of ongoing efforts
to establish communications and coordination with the Mexican military.

Regarding a low approach of the DC-8 over Mexico City, Mr. Torres will
confirm with his management whether this can be approved. If approved,
the DC-8 would need to approach Mexico City under a standard commercial
air traffic approach during non-peak hours (10 am-12 pm, and 2:30-5:00
pm). Also, SENEAM saw no major issues regarding lidar laser safety
procedures and constraints for the King Air and the DC-8. Regarding
balloon launches, the Mexican DGAC (civil aviation authority) would
require advance schedules and would issue NOTAMS. These should be
reviewed daily by the MILAGRO aircraft to ensure proper separation is
maintained.

MILAGRO aircraft will need to revise their proposed flight plans (with
waypoint descriptions) by the end of January 2006. Jose Meitin of NCAR
will provide a list of contacts numbers (towers, ACC, etc.) to each of
the MILAGRO aircraft.

III. General Information

[Hotels]{.underline}. The Hotel Camino Real Veracruz is located about 5
km south of the city center, and about 12 km east of the airport. The
hotel has 154 rooms, with swimming pool and exercise room. Internet
access is included in the room rate. There is currently no ATM at the
hotel, but there is an ATM at the hotel next door. Many rooms have now
been reserved during the mission timeframe, and there are a couple of
nights at the end of March when the hotel is full. There are no vending
machines at the hotel (buy bottled water at nearby grocery or
convenience stores). There are nearby restaurants and shopping.

Point of Contact:

Laura Pérez Osorio

Sales Manager

Hotel Camino Real Veracruz

Tel: 52-229-923-5506 C: 044-22-91-29-4499

Fax: 229-923-5501

lperez@crveracruz.com

Two other nearby hotel options are the Fiesta Americana (229-989-8989)
next door to the Camino Real, and a Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza
(229-989-2100) about 1 mile away.

[Local Transportation]{.underline}. Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, and
Budget rental cars are located at the airport.

We could use buses for the airport/hotel transport. Contacts: Gabriela
Madrigal, VIP Tours, 229-922-3315, www.viptoursdmc.com, or ETP Tours,
229-921-8820/8821, www.etpver.com.mx.

Taxi to from the airport is about \$15. Taxi to downtown Veracruz is
about \$5.

[Restaurants]{.underline}. There are dozens of restaurants in Veracruz.
Mexican chains, such as Sanborn's, Vip's, El Porton, and Wings serve
good quality food at low prices. Veracruz is known for its city center
(zocalo); restaurants around the center are under the "*Portales*".
Tasca is a good choice.

[Visas]{.underline}. No visa is required in Mexico for U.S. citizens.
May be required for other U.S. permanent residents.

[U.S. Embassy]{.underline}. There is no U.S. consulate in Veracruz. For
consular matters, contact the Embassy in Mexico City on Paseo de la
Reforma, Phone: 52-55-5080-2000.

[Per Diem]{.underline}. U.S. Government per diem rate for Veracruz is
\$120 lodging, \$71 M&IE.

[Money]{.underline}. Current exchange rate is 10.5 pesos/dollar as of
12/1/05. ATMs (or *cajeros*) are available in the city. Some places,
especially hotels, will take or exchange dollars. Major Mexican banks
are: Banamex, Banorte, Santander- Serfin, and Banco Nacional.

[Health and Safety]{.underline}. Do not drink tap water; buy bottled
water. Violent crime is less serious in Veracruz compared to other parts
of Mexico, but petty crime, especially pick-pocketing, does occur.

Local hospital: Millennium Medical Center, Av Juan Pablo II, Boca del
Rio, 229-923-5200.

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.711111111111111in"
height="4.075694444444444in"}

**Veracruz Airport & Terminal -- Aerial View**

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="5.711111111111111in"
height="3.8618055555555557in"}

**Airport Ramp View -- GA Parking Area**

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="5.711111111111111in"
height="3.8833333333333333in"}

**Airport Ramp View -- From GA Parking Area to Terminal**

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="5.322222222222222in"
height="4.215277777777778in"}

**Hotel Camino Real, Veracruz -- MILAGRO Hotel & Operations Center**