FAA Ramp Check Survival
I've been ramp checked twice.
Both times occurred while I was securing the plane after a flight.
I was going about my business and getting everything squared away, when a man who I had never seen before comes up to me and starts talking about the weather and asking me a bunch of questions.
Getting ramp checked by the FAA is really not a big deal--so long as you've got your shit in order.
The first time, it took me a minute to figure out what was going on.
The second time, I knew what was happening and I was ready for it.
During the process of a ramp check, the FAA inspector is going to check a number of things.
Most of it is common sense and these are things you should already know from your flight training; ie, most of this should be a review for you.
And If it isn't, go find your old CFI and kick their ass.
So what should you do and what should expect during the process?
3to have three personal documents with you.
Logbook Although you are not required by the FARs to carry your logbook(unless you're a student pilot),the inspector may ask to see it.
I always tell pilots not to bring their logbook with them when on a flight for two reasons:
FAR Part 91requires certain documents be on board.
Remember ARROW? A - Airworthiness Certificate (N-number should match with the AC) R - Registration Certificate (N-number should match with the AC) R - Radio Station License (Only if you are flying outside of the US) O - Operator's limitations ( Aircraft POH) W - Weight and Balance Data (usually in the POH as well) Remember this: An inspector cannot inspect the interior of your aircraft without your consent.
So, rather than having to give consent, I recommend that you personally remove the requested documents from the aircraft and give them to the inspector.
Charts Pilots are required byFAR Part 91to be familiar with all available information for each flight.
So, an inspector may also ask to see the aeronautical charts you have used on your flight.
Make sure the charts you have in the aircraft or your flight bag are current and appropriate to your flight.
This may seem like a "no-brainer," but you would be surprised how many pilots are flying around with sectional charts that are several years old or instrument approach plates that are more than 56 days old.
Interacting With The Inspector During the ramp check, do not volunteer any information.
Remain respectful, but don't give the Inspector any more information than is required.
Don't try to argue with the Inspector either.
You won't win the argument anyway.
Instead, you'll just piss them off and it will usually just cause you more trouble.
So don't do it.
Play nice and show some respect.
Don't Worry! While you will most likely never find yourself undergoing a ramp check, it's important to remember that if you do, it's survivable.
- Shawn Hardin CFI/CFII
Both times occurred while I was securing the plane after a flight.
I was going about my business and getting everything squared away, when a man who I had never seen before comes up to me and starts talking about the weather and asking me a bunch of questions.
Getting ramp checked by the FAA is really not a big deal--so long as you've got your shit in order.
The first time, it took me a minute to figure out what was going on.
The second time, I knew what was happening and I was ready for it.
During the process of a ramp check, the FAA inspector is going to check a number of things.
Most of it is common sense and these are things you should already know from your flight training; ie, most of this should be a review for you.
And If it isn't, go find your old CFI and kick their ass.
So what should you do and what should expect during the process?
- Know who you are talking to.
Ask for the person's name.
Find out what he or she is doing there.
They could be anybody.
And this being post 9/11, everyone needs to know who's walking around on the flightline.
- If the person is a FAA inspector, you need to know it as soon as possible.
If they are, ask to see their FAA Identification card.
3to have three personal documents with you.
- Your Pilot Certificate
- Your CURRENT medical certificate <- must be the original certificate issued by the Airman Medical Examiner and be CURRENT
- Your driver's license or other government issued ID <--must have your photograph on it.
Logbook Although you are not required by the FARs to carry your logbook(unless you're a student pilot),the inspector may ask to see it.
I always tell pilots not to bring their logbook with them when on a flight for two reasons:
- If you're in an accident and it's destroyed, you won't have documentation to prove yourcurrency and flight time.
So, to fix this problem, I suggest you keep a photocopy of your logbook in some other place.
- If the Inspector asks to check your logbook, you will have to show them the entire logbook.
Instead of having the inspector review more than they need to, I would rather have the opportunity AFTER the ramp check to simply give them photocopies of the pages that they would like to review.
FAR Part 91requires certain documents be on board.
Remember ARROW? A - Airworthiness Certificate (N-number should match with the AC) R - Registration Certificate (N-number should match with the AC) R - Radio Station License (Only if you are flying outside of the US) O - Operator's limitations ( Aircraft POH) W - Weight and Balance Data (usually in the POH as well) Remember this: An inspector cannot inspect the interior of your aircraft without your consent.
So, rather than having to give consent, I recommend that you personally remove the requested documents from the aircraft and give them to the inspector.
Charts Pilots are required byFAR Part 91to be familiar with all available information for each flight.
So, an inspector may also ask to see the aeronautical charts you have used on your flight.
Make sure the charts you have in the aircraft or your flight bag are current and appropriate to your flight.
This may seem like a "no-brainer," but you would be surprised how many pilots are flying around with sectional charts that are several years old or instrument approach plates that are more than 56 days old.
Interacting With The Inspector During the ramp check, do not volunteer any information.
Remain respectful, but don't give the Inspector any more information than is required.
Don't try to argue with the Inspector either.
You won't win the argument anyway.
Instead, you'll just piss them off and it will usually just cause you more trouble.
So don't do it.
Play nice and show some respect.
Don't Worry! While you will most likely never find yourself undergoing a ramp check, it's important to remember that if you do, it's survivable.
- Shawn Hardin CFI/CFII
