(Steve) wrote
Few days later FSDO Inspector calls, tells Capt that "we need to make
this as painless as possible, its my job to follow up, etc, etc, could
you give me a written statement"

what to do?

I recommended that the Capt call AOPA legal or other aviation lawyer
just to present the situation to him

Capt (good friend of mine) said the FSDO inspector was "real nice to
me" and that "he is a pilot too"

comments?

(my opinion is that a phone call to a aviation lawyer should still
take place)

Aviation lawyers are a total waste of time. If the fed wants to get
you, he is going to get you. It's really just that simple. All the
regs are on his side. You may win before the ALJ, but the fed will
simply appeal to the NTSB, which will overturn the ALJ. The precedent
here is very strong. The FAA can interpret its rules at will, without
the requirement for consistency, and the NTSB is required to defer to
the FAA. These are not cops. You have no rights. You are guilty
unless the fed decides you're innocent.

Best bet - cooperate and grovel. That way, you have a chance. Call
in a lawyer, and it becomes adversarial. At that point, the fed
becomes your enemy and will try to get you. Will he succeed? See
above.

Michael