Ramp checked!

[RV7A Flyer]

First ramp check in a quarter century of flying...all in all, a very professional and by-the-book experience. The inspector happily produced his ID, we chatted a bit about where I'd flown from (turned out we both grew up there), then pulled out his iPad and checked off that all the paperwork was in order (license, medical, photo ID, A/W cert, registration and Op Lims), and then just asked (as part of the safety part, I guess) to see that seat belts and harnesses were operable. 5 minutes max, then with the official part over, we chatted about the RV and what a great plane it is .

Only curious part to me, which I hadn't heard before, was the seat belt/harness check.

We also talked for a bit about how the FAA has their new compliance "philosophy", and what that means in terms of these inspections in general. An interesting discussion, nice fella, no hassle at all.

[rv8ch]

Where did this happen? Glad to hear it was done in a professional way.

[Bevan]

Maybe it's just in Canada, but I thought ramp checks were a thing of the past. I seem to recall my flight instructor 22 years ago state they are seldom done anymore. The equivalent type of random check of a road motor vehicle is not acceptable to the courts. If the authority (in Canada) was to find something amiss without a valid reason to search, the charge could be thrown out. Ie lacking probable cause, profiling, carding, harassment etc. In other words there would have to be a valid reason (driving infraction, lights not working) for the police to pull you over in order to have a "legal" look inside your vehicle. Why would it be any different for a personal aircraft?

Bevan

[Auburntsts]

Originally Posted by Bevan

Maybe it's just in Canada, but I thought ramp checks were a thing of the past. I seem to recall my flight instructor 22 years ago state they are seldom done anymore. The equivalent type of random check of a road motor vehicle is not acceptable to the courts. If the authority (in Canada) was to find something amiss without a valid reason to search, the charge could be thrown out. Ie lacking probable cause, profiling, carding, harassment etc. In other words there would have to be a valid reason (driving infraction, lights not working) for the police to pull you over in order to have a "legal" look inside your vehicle. Why would it be any different for a personal aircraft?

Bevan

In the US they are legal and relatively common for part 121/135 ops--less so for part 91 ops but they do happen hence the OP.

[GalinHdz]

Originally Posted by Bevan

Maybe it's just in Canada, but I thought ramp checks were a thing of the past. I seem to recall my flight instructor 22 years ago state they are seldom done anymore. The equivalent type of random check of a road motor vehicle is not acceptable to the courts. If the authority (in Canada) was to find something amiss without a valid reason to search, the charge could be thrown out. Ie lacking probable cause, profiling, carding, harassment etc. In other words there would have to be a valid reason (driving infraction, lights not working) for the police to pull you over in order to have a "legal" look inside your vehicle. Why would it be any different for a personal aircraft?

Bevan

I don't know about Canada, but here in the US the difference is that FAA violations they are looking for are administrative not criminal violations. The 5th amendment issues you mention only apply during criminal, not administrative, violations. Besides the law specifically states the FAA can do these inspections.

[pa38112]

My son was ramp checked in the middle of his Privet Pilot Flight Exam (not sure what airport, but in VA). He said it went quick and was professional. Personally I think that was in poor taste. The kid was under enough pressure already. As soon as the inspector found out it was an exam I think he should have walked away.

[BigJohn]

Flying 5000 hours over 60 years, still looking forward to my first ramp check!

[DanH]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

Only curious part to me, which I hadn't heard before, was the seat belt/harness check.

Pure speculation: sounds like a backdoor request to enter the aircraft. IIRC, an inspector may act on anything he can see from the outside, but may not enter an aircraft without permission.

Not that it makes an great difference with most RVs, as everything is visible from the outside anyway.

Pure curiosity...was your canopy open or shut at the time?

[benburb]

My only "ramp check" in 38 years of flying ASMEL & Sea, hot air balloons, came in a public park during a windy inflation of my balloon- a potentially dangerous operation- inflator fan running, burner ignited, pay-passengers serving as just-trained assistants in the process. I told the inspector, who ran me down as I was hustling around the nearly-ready-to-heat, fully inflated with cold air, still laying on the ground balloon, that my primary responsibility was the safety of all around me, and that I could NOT stop to be interviewed, etc. Told him he was welcome to crawl into the laying-on-its-side basket and fish out all the appropriate paperwork for the pouches it was in, but then he would have to step aside in the interest of safety. He did check the paperwork on his own, but then backed off and assisted in the inflation. Be assertive. And they can be good guys. Ben

[Auburntsts]

If anyone is interested, AOPA has a good overview of the ramp check process:

https://www.aopa.org/training-and-sa...nt/ramp-checks