Just had a smelly foreign dude and two trashy women get into a 172 and depart a few minutes ago. Before getting into the airplane one woman lit a cigarette and climbed in. They took off and did an IMMEDIATE right turn, flying about 100' over the FBO. I looked up the N-number and the aircraft is a rental. If it were my rental plane, I would want to know if I have idiots like this flying it...
For starters, how 'bout we "clean" up the story a bit - - that'll help us be more objective.
I just witnessed 3 people get into a 172 and depart a few minutes ago. Before getting into the airplane, one of the 3 lit a cigarette and climbed in. They took off and did an IMMEDIATE right turn, flying about 100' over the FBO. I looked up the N-number and the aircraft is a rental. If it were my rental plane, I would want to know if I have people like this flying it...
NOW it would be appropriate to put yourself in the shoes of the aircraft owner and OBJECTIVELY apply the "Golden Rule" - - that is, do unto others (the aircraft owner) as you would have done unto you.
How would YOU, as an aircraft owner, react to a phone call from a complete stranger that might go something like this: "Hello, are you the owner of N1234G? (Yes, I am. How can I help you?) Well, I just saw that airplane leave here a while ago, and I looked up the N-number, saw that it's a rental. Did you have it rented out [fill in date and time]? (Yes, as a matter of fact, it was rented out then. Why do you ask?) Well, I became concerned when I witnessed an individual enter the airplane with a lit cigarette, and I became MORE concerned when I witnessed the aircraft execute a dangerous maneuver immediately after takeoff. I thought if it were MY airplane, > I < would want to know about that, and I just thought I'd give you a courtesy call to INFORM you.
I could see how that conversation might be a pleasant one, and I can see where the owner might take it the wrong way. So to help me decide whether or not to make the call, I'd examine my motive for calling. If my motive were to inform the aircraft owner of how his rental was being abused, even threatened, I'd call. If my motive were to "bust the smelly foreign dude with the trashy women" - - it'd be best if I kept my mouth shut.
- - Just my 2 copper Lincoln's worth