Terrible FSDO experience in San Diego; Resolved

[jrs14855]

Google John Doster Allentown FAA, read everything you can find, and then tell me how great they are.

That FSDO office, prior to Mr. Doster's departure, threatened on the phone to take my pilot certificate. During this several month long period of harassment the local FBO owner, not a certificated pilot, was conducting for hire "air tours" in a two place ultralight. This was done with the full knowledge of the Allentown FSDO office. FAA legal actually caught up with Mr. Doster around 1988. I had several phone discussions with an FAA attorney around that time. Among other things he told me that Mr. Doster had a very large bank balance that he could not explain. Shortly after the entire thing was swept under the rug by Washington. Four years later someone looked under the rug and Doster was indicted.
50 years ago the FAA was mostly outstanding people with a few bad apples mixed in. Today there are still a lot of good people but the number of bad apples has greatly increased.

[jrs14855]

I started my first EAB airplane in 1961. I was just 20 years old. The airplane was built entirely in the Chapter workshop of EAA Chapter 73 in Bloomfield NJ.
In that era and that area the Engineering(now MIDO) office handled all EAB inspections and certifications. They were located at Teterboro Airport, about a 30 min drive from Bloomfield. The office was headed by the late Mr. Ben Rock. Personnel from the office were regular visitors at chapter meetings. In that era inspections were required before closing up any major structure. The standard inspection for airworthiness, then a 50 hour phase one. Then another FAA airworthiness inspection at the end of phase one.
I developed a very high regard for Mr. Rock. Our paths crossed many times in subsequent years, he always remembered me and was always very friendly.
Mr. Rock had a very damaged face that had been badly burned. Many years later I learned that he had been a right seat passenger in a Stinson that crashed and burned on the ridge above Lock Haven PA. He was trapped in the wreckage for quite a while. He never remembered what happened. Ironically when I first met him he owned a Stinson that he had restored with a lot of mods.
I can't remember when I met Mr. Bill Placek. He may have come to a chapter meeting but was not a regular. He was building a Cassutt in his basement, was an avid glider pilot, and later bought a flying homebuilt from my friend. I only lived a mile or so from Mr. Placeks house and would visit him occasionally to check on the Cassutt and talk airplanes. He was always very cordial despite our 30 year age difference. It was many years later after Mr. Placek's passing that I learned that he was manager of the Teterboro FSDO office.

[jrs14855]

For those who are interested in aviation history I would recommend Capt. Bob Bucks last book, North Star Over My Shoulder. The early chapters of the book cover in some detail the period before the was ANY regulation of pilots or aircraft in the US. Capt. Buck obtained his Private Certificate at age 16. A short time later the minimum age was changed to 17. One interesting point is that the flight test was observed from the ground by the government representative. This was pretty much standard in that era.
A year or two ago Van wrote a detailed article in Sport Aviation covering the early days of homebuilts before EAB. There was a period of time when homebuilt aircraft were grounded except in Oregon. The enforcement during this time varies from stories of airplanes being destroyed and at the other extreme people like Bernie Pietenpol and Steve Wittman pretty much ignored the rules. Wittman apparently certified his 1938 Buttercup and 1945 Big X in the Experimental Research and Development Category. But this category prohibited anyone but "necessary crewmembers" on board the aircraft. I have him on audio tape describing a long trip to the West Coast, then north to Washington and back to Oshkosh with Big X. His wife and another couple as passengers. Buttercup and Big X were later recertified as Experimental EAB.
Some recent articles claim that EAB evolved from the Goodyear Midget Racers of 1947, which is interesting because the first Wittman Tailwind is considered a two place Goodyear Midget. (now formula one).
The Tailwind in late 1953 became the first Experimental Amateur Built aircraft to be approved to carry a passenger.

[219PB]

I have been asking around to determine exactly what kind of avionics had to be in my RV-6A to be able to fly IFR as well as get my ticket in it as well. I brought this up at my local EAA meeting and got many different answers. I emailed Dynon and got a response that was not very definitive. I then called the San Antonio FSDO and the inspector that I spoke with gave me very direct answers. He was very knowledgeable about EA and basically told me how to use the rules to my advantage. He was not trying to impose the SA rules to EA. I was very pleased with his knowledge and cooperation.

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by MikeyDale

I came in the office with a loose leaf binder full of my printed blog. My guy glanced at it and gave me a look that said "surely you don't expect me spent my valuable time looking thru that!" He did not look at it. Maybe its because he knew I had made the effort to provide him with one! I wasn't going to take any chances because I wanted that certificate!

Mine was a similar experience. I used MyKitlog.com and had three 5" binders of double sided printed pages. John's comment, was more like, "WOW, I've never seen so much build documentation before!" He questioned that way I did a couple things, which may be his method of testing my knowledge, but I quickly produced the plans. Once he validated that I followed the plans precisely, he had no issues. I had my temp repairman's before he left the hangar. We are fortunate in that our FSDO office is fairly EAB friendly.

[DonFromTX]

I will be in Victoria this weekend visiting my daughter there, care to entertain a visitor and show off your project?

Originally Posted by 219PB

I have been asking around to determine exactly what kind of avionics had to be in my RV-6A to be able to fly IFR as well as get my ticket in it as well. I brought this up at my local EAA meeting and got many different answers. I emailed Dynon and got a response that was not very definitive. I then called the San Antonio FSDO and the inspector that I spoke with gave me very direct answers. He was very knowledgeable about EA and basically told me how to use the rules to my advantage. He was not trying to impose the SA rules to EA. I was very pleased with his knowledge and cooperation.

[jrs14855]

Its been a long time since I left San Antonio, but the FSDO staff in that era were among the best I have ever encountered.

[219PB]

Don,

I would love to but we will be in San Diego this weekend for a wedding. Give me a shout the next time. I really would appreciate another set of eyes on my project. Working hard on my sliding canopy. Making good progress.

Paul

[jrs14855]

I sometimes tend to forget that there is much more to the FAA than just inspectors and air traffic control. They actually do operate some airplanes. I crossed paths with one last month, Gulfstream N1.
To keep these airplanes in top notch shape the FAA employs some A&P mechanics.
Many years ago one of these FAA Mechanics was accused of flying his 2 seat Vintage airplane at a very low altitude. We will call the accused Mr. J. Mr. J had a hearing with the FSDO people and brought his young son along. Mr. J convinced the FSDO people that he was completely innocent. Hands were likely shaken, some papers signed to seal the deal. After that one of the inspectors struck up a conversation with the young boy.
Do you fly with your dad? Yes. What do you like about flying with your dad?
The thing I like most is standing up on the seat while my dad does loops.
The FSDO guy went over to Mr. J and waved his finger in Mr. J's face: you blankety blank so and so I KNEW you were guilty. Too late, the deal had been made.
Final score:
FAA one
FAA zero

[DonFromTX]

Sure, I am up there fairly often, catch ya another time then!

Originally Posted by 219PB

Don,

I would love to but we will be in San Diego this weekend for a wedding. Give me a shout the next time. I really would appreciate another set of eyes on my project. Working hard on my sliding canopy. Making good progress.

Paul