In article ,
"Jim Burns" wrote:

A more likely albeit totally unsubstantiated scenario....

"After the recent tragedy that occurred at Lexington, Kentucky, blah blah
blah... single air traffic controller... blah blah blah.... FAA official....
bla bla bla... This (station, newspaper, ect) conducted an extensive
telephone survey of the nations commercial pilots. As a result of our
survey, this reporter has learned that most commercial pilots a (very
unsatisfied, satisfied, slightly satisfied, slightly dissatisfied,
dissatisfied, very dissatisfied) with the services of the FAA."

It wouldn't take much mental effort to search the FAA's pilot database
online then start calling pilots. When I was looking for an Aztec I
downloaded the aircraft ownership database, sorted it several times then
cross referenced the names with the pilots certificate database, looking for
pilots without a current medical. It took me all of an hour. A little
googleing for names and addresses and I soon had phone numbers of several
Aztec owners without medicals who indeed had their Aztecs for sale.


In my case, the caller identified herself as being with the FAA -- not a
TV station.


"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in message
news
Last week, I received a telephone call purporting to be from FAA,
querying Commercial-rated pilots, seeking "your satisfaction with FAA
services." When I answered that I am not currently exercising the
Commercial privileges, she ended the "survey."

Foolishly, I failed to take notes regarding the name of the caller and
callback information.

I know that FAA lost a laptop in Miami, in July, which contained
identity information on all Florida pilots. I called orlando FDSO; the
inspector I talked to was unaware of any survey being conducted.

My question: Is this part of a scheme to create counterfeit pilot
certificates for nefarious purposes, or what?

I did call the FBI, who advised me to collect the name and contact
information of any future caller.

Am I being paranoid, or what?