Base month, grace month and staying legal

[some_dude]

Most of the advice above is sound, but to be honest, you really shouldn't be depending on what a bunch of anonymous guys on the internet tell you.

Call your Chief Pilot or DO and have them explain, to your satisfaction, what the deal is. If they can't explain it so that you can understand it, it's probably not legal. If it's not legal, who takes the fall for it? Right, YOU do.

 

[Rick1128]

Most of the advice above is sound, but to be honest, you really shouldn't be depending on what a bunch of anonymous guys on the internet tell you.

Call your Chief Pilot or DO and have them explain, to your satisfaction, what the deal is. If they can't explain it so that you can understand it, it's probably not legal. If it's not legal, who takes the fall for it? Right, YOU do.

I many ways this is good advice. A couple of things to keep in mind. The FAA Legal office has ruled that flying done in the late grace month is legal as long as the company has the intent of giving you a check ride. Weither you pass or fail is inmaterial. If the company has the intent to conduct the checkride within the late grace month than your flying is legal. If the company doesn't intend to conduct the checkride during that period of time, then it can become sticky. The idea of extending your qualification time by conducting your training after your grace month late leaves them and quite possibly you open to FAA review. If they were going to do that, then it would make a great deal more sense for them to do you in your grace month late and keep resetting your base month. Which is quite possiblely what they did. As I check airman, I have reset base months. Generally I would do it to spread out checkrides and training during the year. Instead of having all the training done in a month or two pattern. This is especially the case with a new base or new equipment. It is also possible that the company can not get you into training during your grace month. Part 142 schools are a pain to get people into on short notice and certain aircraft are even worst. Limited seating and sim times make it tough.

But I would certainly talk with the Chief Pilot and ask what is going on and discuss your concerns. Do not get baligerant, you are there to discuss your concerns about your's and the company's legality over this situation. When you get done, document the conversation and the reasons you were given to why you and the company are alright with it. Sign it, date it and keep it safe. And if the FAA ever asks you about that situation, you can show that you did due diligence over the situation. And that you understood that based on the information you had that you were operating legally. But DO NOT fly one second past your grace month late!