"We're with the FAA"

I've read lots of stories about it and if finally happened to me, I had
my first ramp check. I flew into South Haven, MI (LWA) today to get
fuel, it's self serve, and as I was fueling two men wearing ID's around
their necks and holding clipboards approached my plane. I couldn't
read what their ID's said, but I thought to myself they may be FAA
guys. They both stood by the pump and didn't interupt me while I was
fueling. As soon as I finished pumping they introduced themselves and
said "we're with the FAA, from the Grand Rapids FSDO". The first thing
they asked is if I was Part 91 and where I flew in from and where I was
going next and why I flew into South Haven. I said to get fuel. Next
they wanted to see my license, medical, registration, and airworthyness
certificate. I gave them all the documents. They asked when the last
annual on the plane was and where it was done, I told them and they
wrote that information down. They asked if I had a GPS and if it was
IFR or VFR, I said VFR and they didn't ask any further questions about
that. They also looked at the dataplate on the plane. They asked how
many hours I had and then just some small talk for about 10 mins. They
asked at least two or three times about where I was flying to next. I
think they were mainly checking to see if I was flying Part 135 or
doing an illegal charter. The weather was 5 miles vis. and clear, but
very hazy. They did ask if I knew if the weather was going to get any
better. I suppose they were checking to see if I had checked the
weather. They were both very nice and the whole thing was pretty
painless.

Chad wrote:
I've read lots of stories about it and if finally happened to me, I had
my first ramp check. I flew into South Haven, MI (LWA) today to get
fuel, it's self serve, and as I was fueling two men wearing ID's around
their necks and holding clipboards approached my plane. I couldn't
read what their ID's said, but I thought to myself they may be FAA
guys. They both stood by the pump and didn't interupt me while I was
fueling. As soon as I finished pumping they introduced themselves and
said "we're with the FAA, from the Grand Rapids FSDO". The first thing
they asked is if I was Part 91 and where I flew in from and where I was
going next and why I flew into South Haven. I said to get fuel. Next
they wanted to see my license, medical, registration, and airworthyness
certificate. I gave them all the documents. They asked when the last
annual on the plane was and where it was done, I told them and they
wrote that information down. They asked if I had a GPS and if it was
IFR or VFR, I said VFR and they didn't ask any further questions about
that. They also looked at the dataplate on the plane. They asked how
many hours I had and then just some small talk for about 10 mins. They
asked at least two or three times about where I was flying to next. I
think they were mainly checking to see if I was flying Part 135 or
doing an illegal charter. The weather was 5 miles vis. and clear, but
very hazy. They did ask if I knew if the weather was going to get any
better. I suppose they were checking to see if I had checked the
weather. They were both very nice and the whole thing was pretty
painless.

If you are part 91 you can politely refuse. Fly away.....
135 and 121 cannot.
Michelle P

Originally Posted by Michelle P

Chad wrote:[color=blue][i]

If you are part 91 you can politely refuse. Fly away.....
135 and 121 cannot.
Michelle P

not quite. you are required under part 91 to show certificates if asked by any FAA official. the FAA can look at your aircraft, however they cannot enter it without your permission.

for part 135 and 121, the FAA cannot interfer with a scheduled operation, i.e. than cannot delay your departure time for a ramp check.

ok, all that said, given the great caption this thread has; who has
had a ramp check and what was it like????????????


dan



Rotor&amp wrote:[color=blue][i]
Michelle P Wrote:
Chad wrote:

If you are part 91 you can politely refuse. Fly away.....
135 and 121 cannot.
Michelle P

not quite. you are required under part 91 to show certificates if
asked by any FAA official. the FAA can look at your aircraft, however
they cannot enter it without your permission.

for part 135 and 121, the FAA cannot interfer with a scheduled
operation, i.e. than cannot delay your departure time for a ramp check.




--
Rotor&Wings

I have had 1 ramp check I was on a ferry permit (airplane was out of annual)
I was asked for the usual docks + copies of logbook entries and checked to
make sure I filed a flight plan in compliance with the ferry permit. How the
inspector knew I was on a ferry permit and leaving that day I have no Idea!
Yea, he was from the same fsdo that issued the permit and flooding was
threatening some airports in the area and he was proubally looking for ????.

I had the aircraft log books so I showed the A&P's endorsement and had my
flight plan form printed and said I filed with 1800wxbrief for a 10:00am
departure the inspector said have a nice day handed me back my paperwork, we
went and had a cup of coffee or two in the local fbo and had a friendly
conversation about flying etc. He wished me luck and a safe flight I was on
my way.

If you have nothing to hide & aircraft is in good condition then you should
not worry about the ramp checks!



"houstondan" wrote in message
oups.com...[color=blue][i]
ok, all that said, given the great caption this thread has; who has
had a ramp check and what was it like????????????


dan



Rotor&amp wrote:
Michelle P Wrote:
Chad wrote:

If you are part 91 you can politely refuse. Fly away.....
135 and 121 cannot.
Michelle P

not quite. you are required under part 91 to show certificates if
asked by any FAA official. the FAA can look at your aircraft, however
they cannot enter it without your permission.

for part 135 and 121, the FAA cannot interfer with a scheduled
operation, i.e. than cannot delay your departure time for a ramp check.




--
Rotor&Wings

If you have nothing to hide & aircraft is in good condition then you should
not worry about the ramp checks!

That really says it all. It's a complete non-event, taking less than 2
minutes -- IF you've actually got your ducks in a row. (Well, this is
a data-point of ONE ramp check in 12 years of flying. YMMV.)

If not, your plane becomes a giant paper-weight, until you produce the
required documents. When we were checked, the Illinois pilot in the
Grumman Tiger ahead of us found that out the hard way.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:42:25 -0700, "NW_Pilot"
wrote:

- snip-
If you have nothing to hide & aircraft is in good condition then you should
not worry about the ramp checks!


I'm from UK and had a ramp check in Maui. I'd been for a flight with
an instructor/tour guide when a pleasant lady introduced herself as
FAA. She asked for my medical and pilot certificate (I have an FAA
certificate + UK) and if the aircraft was ok. I said I was a very new
pilot but apart from being scruffy I thought it was safe. We had a
pleasant conversation and I said I'd had turbulence and cross winds
but not both together for a landing. She said Maui is always like that
and you could tell with your eyes closed. No problem with a ramp
check.

I discovered the FAA had made a safety presentation, at the airfield,
the night before. That was really disappointing as the FBO never
mentioned it and I'd like to have attended.

In article .com,
"houstondan" wrote:

ok, all that said, given the great caption this thread has; who has
had a ramp check and what was it like????????????


I was ramped at Columbia, SC (Ownes field?) while flying the B-24. The
inspector thought she had caught me doing a no-no hauling passengers
in an experimental a/c outside our letter authorizing us to operate,
however I had made a stop to pickup pax at a point we were authorized
from...yeah I know, confused me also. G It was a short conversation
and of no consequence, even when I found that some paperwork was out of
date. (another crew person had swapped an out of date WB for the current
one...embarrasing but I was able to fix the problem on the spot so no
foul)

Although I kind of felt like I was being hunted (the inpectors were
waiting for us to arrive..it was about 1730 on a Friday evening...we
were the last aircraft to arrive) it wasn't a big deal overall.

I've been ramp checked three times. Twice it was just a pleasant exchange of
information. I was actually happy they showed up at one airport because the
place has a history of meatheads pulling stupid stunts.

The third time the person forgot his ID. No ID, no ramp check.

"houstondan" wrote in message
oups.com...
ok, all that said, given the great caption this thread has; who has
had a ramp check and what was it like????????????



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Juan Jimenez" wrote in message
...
I've been ramp checked three times. Twice it was just a pleasant exchange
of information. I was actually happy they showed up at one airport because
the place has a history of meatheads pulling stupid stunts.

So tell us how a ramp check would put a damper on the "meatheads"?

Ah, yes!, the old, "I have nothing to hide, so I'll drop my pants and spread
my cheeks."

Tyrants love your type!