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FAA Ramp Checks – Know Your Rights

August 7, 2013/in Personal stories/by studentpltnews

Earlier this week I witnessed something not all that common in general aviation – an FAA Ramp Check. If you’ve never heard of a ramp check, that’s not surprising as again, it’s not a common occurrence in general aviation. But at the same time, while not the most pleasant topic related to your flying, it’s […]

Flying for Fun

July 26, 2013/in Personal stories/by studentpltnews

Flight school, albeit fun, can be a real drag. I can recall fretting over the next “turns around a point” lesson for the fourth time. Don’t get me wrong, any chance you have to get in the air and burn some 100LL is a great day, but looking at the upcoming lesson outline would often […]

FAA Ramp Checks – Know Your Rights

August 7, 2013/in Personal stories/by studentpltnews

Flying for Fun

July 26, 2013/in Personal stories/by studentpltnews

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FAA Ramp Checks – Know Your Rights

August 7, 2013/in Personal stories/by studentpltnews

It’s also important to know exactly what will be expected of the pilot as well what to expect from the FAA. So while many pilots will fly a lifetime and not experience a ramp check, it’s something that we’re all subject to as pilots. It could happen anywhere at anytime and is officially an investigation of your own flight operation.

By definition, a ramp check is surveillance of an airman, operator, or air agency during actual operations at an airport or heliport. It’s conducted by FAA to ensure that you are conducting flights safely and in compliance with regulations. Although generally friendly and straightforward, some result in counseling or correction letters and in the worst case scenario, enforcement actions against the pilot.

A ramp check may occur when an inspector observes unsafe operations in a traffic pattern or ramp area or is notified by ATC of an unsafe operation. They can also occur randomly as part of FAA’s normal surveillance. The latter is what is typical of most non-commercial ramp checks.

A typical check will involve an inspection of the pilot’s airman and medical certificates as well as photo identification, aircraft documents and a walk-around inspection. The inspector is NOT authorized to board the aircraft without permission, but is able to look through open doors or windows.

If you’re a Student, Sport or Recreational pilot required to carry evidence of logbook endorsement, the inspector will also review this information. The inspector may use a job-aid which is a good thing as it means a standardized check. While few pilots would enjoy such an experience, a positive and diplomatic attitude is generally helpful.

Related to aircraft documents, the inspector will want to review the Airworthiness Certificate to ensure it’s visible, on-board and matches the aircraft’s tail number. The registration certificate should also match the aircraft tail number and inspectors are now examining registration expiration dates since all registrations must be renewed. The POH must also be on-bard to ensure the pilot has access to the aircraft’s limitations as well as required markings and placards. Current weight and balance information for the aircraft may also be reviewed.

In the unlikely event that a discrepancy is found, it must be noted on the job aid and discussed with the operator. The inspection continues unless a discrepancy is discovered that would affect safety or result in a violation of an FAR. If this were to occur, an FAA Condition Notice (8620-1) may be issued. Discrepancies concerning airworthiness or registration certificates will also be brought to the attention of the operator, documented and referred for any follow-up action.

Recommendations if you’re subject of a ramp check – be courteous and cooperative. Also be busy. Inspectors are not authorized to delay a flight; however, most are very respectful of this requirement and will likely only request a check at the conclusion of a flight.

Do not volunteer more information than what is required. Remember, no matter how “friendly” this process may appear, anything you say or do may be used against you. And finally, keep in an easily referenced location at least the following information: Medical, Pilot Certificate & Photo ID / Airworthiness / Registration / Flight Manual / Weight and Balance Data.

If you’re curious, the ramp inspection I witnessed took place right here at Sporty’s Academy. It was part of FAA’s random surveillance. Two inspectors arrived on-site and in a very courteous manner, simply stated they were there to conduct a single inspection of a training flight conducted under FAA Part 141. The inspectors patiently waited for a flight to return meeting those requirements and used the opportunity to educate both the student and instructor on what occurs as part of a ramp check. In this instance, it was indeed positive and educational. No discrepancies were noted and the entire process took less than 5 minutes.

Flying for Fun

July 26, 2013/in Personal stories/by studentpltnews

The cure for my boring outlook on the next lesson came one day from my instructor who also wasn’t thrilled about having to teach the same lesson to four students on the same day. He introduced me to the marvel of the airport cafe.

Upon my arrival at the airport, my instructor commented “you want to do lunch?” My first thought was that he was asking me on a date. “You’re really not my type, but I could go for some fast food before we head up.” Little did I know, lunch was actually going to take place as part of the flight lesson.

Scheduling a three hour flight block, we took off with the intent of doing some basic maneuvers. Heading out to the practice area, we started on the boring stuff: turns around a point, turn to heading, climbs, descents, etc. Leveling off after ten minutes of doing what seemed to be random maneuvers, he asked me where we were. As basic as that may sound, I wasn’t exactly prepared to answer at this point.

Looking out the window, I didn’t see anything that looked familiar. And my instructor’s grin indicated that I was on my own to figure it out. Dialing up the ADF (starting to show my age), I turned to a heading that would take us back at our home airport. He promptly put an “Inop” sticker over the indicator and told my to try again using the visual landmarks around us.

Admittedly frustrated, I reluctantly consulted the chart. I found the one airport not too far from home base next to a large river and concluded that we’ve wandered over near Middletown Ohio (MWO). After locating the appropriate frequency, we made a position report. I barely released the PTT switch when my instructor pulled his favorite lever: the throttle. “There goes your engine. Now what?”

Best glide, turn towards the field, verify wind direction, make a plan, communicate…not bad for a newbie. It wasn’t my best landing and I ended up using 3800 of the 4000 feet available, but we got it down.

“Taxi over behind that old row of hangars.” Now I’m confused, but he definitely knows something I don’t. After shutting down the engine, I notice a gate in the fence and a Frisch’s Big Boy restaurant on the other side. That’s when it hit me that we had a fly-out lunch. There was nothing special about this particular greasy spoon, and if you were in a car, you probably wouldn’t even consider stopping. But traveling there by airplane made it special and we accomplished a host of valuable learning experiences in the process.

To this day, my favorite flying missions are food related. I’ve become a biscuits and gravy connoisseur at airport diners and an expert on blueberry pancakes. And it was all because I had a creative flight instructor who may have sensed that I needed something a little different to maintain my motivation.

So my challenge to students and CFIs is to be creative. There’s a lot that can be accomplished in the course of a fun flight to have lunch.

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FAA Ramp Checks – Know Your Rights

Flying for Fun

FAA Ramp Checks – Know Your Rights

Flying for Fun

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FAA Ramp Checks – Know Your Rights

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