FAA Exemption 4988

Originally Posted by JohnDeRosa

But of course it wouldn't hurt to continue to carry the paperwork/
letter/regulation on board just in case some over zealous ramp checker
doesn't know that gliders are exempt, complains that you don't have a
data plate, tries to ground your ship and you can't remember the FAR
number to save your hide and the day. Seems like cheap insurance. My
$0.02.

John,

I agree, just because the guy is an "inspector" doesn't necessarily mean that he knows what the heck he is talking about. Back in the day when our airline operated our altimeters below 10,000' with reference to QFE (and had for 50 years) I had an ACI sitting on the jumpseat about to become giddy with happiness as he pointed out our "mis-set" altimeters during taxi out and he was probably already filling out the violation paperwork in his head. When we stopped and corrected him, we found out he didn't have a clue about our procedures, nor was he aware of our ops specifications spelling it all out.

We have had inspectors show up at our last two glider contests on "fishing expeditions" and they seem always able to boat something or someone. Imagine getting pulled out of the grid on the last day trying to sort this out with a zealous FAA-type!

Seems like the .0001 ounce this small sheet would weigh would more than be offset by saving your bacon once, no? Plus, fire-starter material for a wilderness landout!

Take care all,

Rob