On Sat, 26 Nov 2005 16:10:24 +0000, Peter
wrote:

In which case, what could be the sanction if an original was not on
board? (Forget the case of the French Customs for the moment; they are
a law unto themselves).

In the US they would notify you of the alleged violation, give you a
chance to respond, and assuming you were found responsible they would
then impose whatever legal sanction is available to them for
violations 61.3 or 91.203(2). If an original is required (and it
appears to me that it is), carrying around a copy is the same as not
having it "in that person's physical possession or readily accessible
in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot
certificate or authorization", or WRT the registration/airworthiness
certificates, "displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it
is legible to passengers or crew." They would end up either
suspending for some length of time, or revoking your certificate(s)
depending on whatever other factors surround the incident and your
enforcement record.