Ramp check

[memooch]

Has anyone ever been ramp checked? So much of training is to abide by the rules, and for good reason, but when (besides accident/incident situations) do we pilots ever need to prove the legality of our flights? I'm just looking for common situations and/or stories. Interesting stories are more fun to read. I've only heard that it usually starts like this: "I'm from the FAA and I'm here to help you."

 

[User546]

"I'm from the FAA and I'm here to help you."

That's at the point that you perk up and become REALLY suspicious of the individual! FAA and HELPING don't ever go in the same sentence.

Unless its something like "Hi I'm from the FAA, I'm going to help you lose your ticket today if I can!"

 

[mayday1]

only happened to me once when I was a student pilot - Westchester County airport (1997 i think). A non-event.. FAA guy was ramp checking flights that were arriving back to the flight school. Just asked for my instructor's medical, license, etc. Nothing in the airplane as I recall.

 

[wildbill]

Iwas told by a member of the FAA that their motto has changed. In keeping with political corectness their new motto is, " We are not happy unless you are unhappy".

 

[Levidog]

Yes, only once in 20yrs. In HKY. No problem, just presented my ticket and medical. He didn't even look in the plane, maybe because it was a rental and he had spent some time in the FBO prior to walking out onto the ramp. I remember, he was a nice guy (really). LD

 

[F16TJ]

Has anyone ever been ramp checked? So much of training is to abide by the rules, and for good reason, but when (besides accident/incident situations) do we pilots ever need to prove the legality of our flights? I'm just looking for common situations and/or stories. Interesting stories are more fun to read. I've only heard that it usually starts like this: "I'm from the FAA and I'm here to help you."

I got ramp checked at Honolulu last year. Just getting ready to start on the south GA ramp when he drove up and stopped his car by the plane. He showed me all of his ID's and introduced himself and then asked to see my licence, medical, and the aircraft airworthiness certificate. He then asked where I was going (Kahalui) and if I had filed a flight plan, which I had. Took maybe three minutes and he was really nice about it and sent us on our way. Nothing to be afraid of IMHO.

 

[Ailerongirl]

Iwas told by a member of the FAA that their motto has changed. In keeping with political corectness their new motto is, " We are not happy unless you are unhappy".

Did you swipe that from ASA and modify it? ASA's always was "We're not happy, 'til you're not happy"

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Hey,
I was ramped in SFO by an FAA Ops inspector, while acting as F/O on a 121 op, who had given me my 135 PC's, he did not recognize me. I the presented him my A&P mechanics certificate and a 3 year old 1st class medical and sat back while he perused them. He sputtered "you cant't fly in here with these" and looked up and saw me laughing as I presented him my current certificate and medical, he chuckled and said "good one". We chatted and went on our merry ways. By the way, this one works on checkairmen like a charm, lowering tension and adding some humor to a potentially tense situation.
Just having fun
PBR

 

[PBRstreetgang]

ASA's always was "We're not happy, 'til you're not happy"

Anyone, who knows slogans, that was pioneered by Trans-States, along with "Pi$$ing the world off 19 seats at a time"(J-32)
PBR

 

[cessna_driver2]

When I was working line service in RVS we had a DC3 come in. The FAA showed up and wanted me to pull the pilots from our lounge area to be ramp checked.

 

[zuka]

I've been ramped 3 times.

once while instructing, inspector looked through students endorsements and logbook, and back of medical for endorsemnts and wanted to see my certs and medical. no problems, was very professional.

twice while flying cargo. once the inspector was waiting for me for me in lobby when I arrived in the morning. I walked past and heard a voice behind me "ah there you are... i've been waiting for you". they keep trying to figure out our schedule so they can find us because we fly wierd hours. I've heard stories about other cargo guys getting ramped at 3:00am but I find it hard to believe that they will get out of bed for that. I always thought they were 9-5, but it was 7:00am when I got checked so they are obviously not 9-5. Worst scneario is when you are ramped at 7:00am after getting back from a nights flying and are tired and tempted to get sloppy. He inspected aircraft and docs and my certs and medical and was professional. no problems.

 

[zuka]

I've heard rumor that if you give them your certificates they can keep them under the basis that you "surrendered" them. Some people recommend keeping a photocopy to show them so you keep the original.

Saying that, I do know somebody who voluntarily surrendered his certificates because he became suicidal and decided he should give up flying (trust me I tried to talk him out of it). He went to the FSDO and said he wanted to turn his certificates in and they wouldn’t let him do it without filling out a bunch of paperwork. FAA guy then said that he was busy and it may take him two weeks before he processes the paperwork if he wanted to change his mind. He was trying to talk him out of it and was really giving him two weeks to change his mind.

 

[memooch]

I got ramp checked at Honolulu last year. Just getting ready to start on the south GA ramp when he drove up and stopped his car by the plane. He showed me all of his ID's and introduced himself and then asked to see my licence, medical, and the aircraft airworthiness certificate. He then asked where I was going (Kahalui) and if I had filed a flight plan, which I had. Took maybe three minutes and he was really nice about it and sent us on our way. Nothing to be afraid of IMHO.

So, are these situations quite random then?

 

[TransMach]

Ramp Checks

Folks,

My favorite:

FAA Inspector: May I see your airman certificate and medical, registration, airworthiness, AMF/POH, Company Operations Manual (FOM), and weight and balance for this arrival?

Me: Yes

FAA Inspector: Where in your manual does it discuss Ground Icing?

Me: Chapter 6, 7 or 8. You'll find the Ground Anti-Icing/De-Icing Program (GADIP).

FAA Inspector: Which chapter?

Me: One of those.

FAA Inspector: How does your company handle deferred maintenance items, and where is it in the manual?

Me: Ah, Chapter 4, 5 or 6.

FAA Inspector: You don't know where in the manual it is?

Me: Yes, I know, it's in Chapter 4, 5 or 6.

FAA Inspector: Where in the manual does the company address Flight Time Limits and Rest Requirements?

Me: Chapter 3, or maybe 4 ... maybe both.

FAA Inspector: You don't know where in the manual that is?

Me: Yes, I know, it's in Chater 3 or 4, and maybe both.

FAA Inspector: Who issued your flight release for your last leg, and where in the manual does your company address that?

Me: No one, and I don't know where that is in the manual (FAR 135 operation).

FAA Inspector: I don't know if I'm comfortable with your knowledge of your company manual or required procedures.

Me: I'm not really concerned. I'm not here to take an oral for our operation ... if you would like, maybe our POI could invite you to my next FAR 135.293(a)(b) oral examination. Otherwise, unless there's a problem with the certificates and documents you are holding, please return them to me so that I may get on with my work.

FAA Inspector: Maybe I need to proceed with a demonstration of competency, or emergency revocation.

Me: Proceed as you see fit. But for now, please return my documents and step aside.

NEVER HEARD A WORD FROM HIM !!

TransMach

 

[wingnutt]

holy crap, where do y'all fly (or not fly) that you never get ramped?

 

[wildbill]

Ailerongirl it came right out of the mouth of a FAA inspector in Orlando. He said they were trying to change their image.

As to being ramp checked, only once and that was at FTY. Needless to say I made them angry. Before I did I made sure my little duckies were all in a row.

As to showing your license to the FAA, you are required to show it not relinquish possession of it.

 

[SSDD]

Part 121, got ramp checked in BUR a couple of weeks ago. Two guys showed up, introduced themselves, showed their credentials, one asked for our certificates, while the other one looked over the aircraft manuals and placards, asked the FA's a couple of questions and they were on their way. About 10 minutes total.

 

[atrdriver]

I've been ramped 5 times this year (part 121). My favorite was in GPT, where one of them was checking my Jepps for currency. I asked him if he knew what update we were on, and he said no. I asked him how he would know if I was current if he didn't know what update we were on. He thought about that for a minute, closed the book, handed it back, smiled and said "you're right."

Have never had any problems with any of them though. I'm not of the opinion that they are there to help, but I don't really think that most of them are out to get anyone...

 

[TDTURBO]

I heard this one story about a guy that was approached with the old, "Hi, I with the FAA and I'm here to help", B.S. Well, this guy said, "Good, could you help me tie down the tail", when the FAA inspector agreed, the pilot went into the FBO and left.

 

[wingnutt]

I've been ramped 5 times this year (part 121)

now thats more along the lines of what im talking about. in almost 5 years of flying 135 ive gotten hit about a dozen times...