I can understand why you feel the way you do. I've had a run-in or two myself, but have been fortunate enough to have been granted some leniency. I think the bad stuff is a lot more popular conversation than the good when it comes to pilots talking about the FAA. I really try to be ready for a ramp check every time I fly, and to teach my students to do the same (even INVITED an inspector to show instructors and students the ramp check process). Yes, it's invasive, but so is filing your income tax. On the maintenance side, anything I install had better have the required tracing and approval or I'm on thin ice. Even receipts for simple hardware must now be kept for tracking. That's just the way it is... As to legal defense, I think that any mechanic who doesn't carry liability insurance and a legal plan is living on the edge.
I will open up my own shop someday, but not until I can cover this basic and necessary expense. This sad fact of life is not unique to aviation, of course- anyone who has the lives and limbs of others depending on the quality of his/her work must protect themselves in the same way. Obviously, you and your mechanic were treated crappily, and I don't mean to diminish that. But as a whole, if we "drivers" don't like the speed enforcement, how can we change anything by taking it out on the traffic cops- when the policies come from City Hall?? From: Audean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: The Craigmyles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, January 22, 1999 9:28 PM Subject: FAA > >Rob, >The crash of 99893 left a bitter taste in our mouth for the FAA. and here is the >reason why. > >The NTSB, sent a FAA inspector to investigate the flight in the name of them.. > >Upon his arrival we asked if he could be a NTSB person or still that FAA >person... he assured us he was there as The NTSB.. we allowed him to proceed. >He had us to order another gasolator from the wag aero and we did then he wanted >another one unopened box (this was at our expense) and all three were the >same.... he agreed that the crash was due to the quick drain seperating from the >plane... > >He in turn notified the NTSB and they picked up 5 more from wag aero and all >five was like the ones here in Calif.. > >He then turned around and became a FAA inspector and went after our mechanic. >siting him for putting the gasolator on the plane.... this really pissed us off >and as if came closer to coming to Fed. court the madder we became..... for Wag >Aero was not held accountable for the part and we purchased it and gave it the >mechanic to put on the plane. > >I had some strong words with said inspector.. his commment was are you going to >testify for your mechanic... you dam sweet tooting we were.... how dare them to >fault him and let the big guy go...I told him did he think for one moment that >we would allow the mechanic to work on another plane for us if we felt for one >minuted it was his fault.??? no answer from him. > >The mechanic beat the charges but it cost him the fees for the lawyer to do so >and this wasn't right. > >Later same inspector, was in the area (he has a plane at our airport) and spoted >6596Q with wayland strobes... they were installed legaly and wayland said they >were approved for the coupe.... this clown sited the plane we place tape over >the switch to them as inoperable and called Wayland.... Wayland had the cow... >when Wayland got thru with them we were told to have the plane inspected and >they would approve them... by changing some wording on the paper work and >resumit... > >No way was this clown going to step a foot into our hanger with out a search >warrent.... We flew the plane to Sacremento and had it inspected by another FAA >inspector.. and all paper work was approved. > >Another time... we were flying a rental archer 29P into Sacremento Exe. when the >plane taxied to the transient tie down... the FAA inspector met us on the >ramp... first wanting to see pilots license (never hand one to them as that is >considered voluntary surendering them)... husband showed him the license and >medical , place same back in to his wallet... the inspector took the plane >apart and grounded it upon its return to the Salinas, airport... one number on >its airworthy certificate at the corner was missing. > >We inquired as to why the ramp check.... some one from Salinas, ( wonder who ) >had called Sacremento Exc. and told them there was a unlicensed pilot from >Salinas, flying a rental plane... > >May not of been the FAA. but still sticks in the throat... > >We have seen other pilots in our area treated about the same.. so we really do >not have very much trust in them... maybe there are some good ones out there. >but they do lurk around and other pilots has already had things sent to the FAA >that was said on this list and other web pages. > >Just thought I would give you our story on it. > >Audean >N6596Q >
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