Got Ramp Checked!

Caveman · #1 03-24-2010, 12:54 PM

When we arrived back at our small town home airport after attending the Olney, Texas Air Tractor Fly-in a couple of weekends ago, we were met by an FAA employee who proceeded to give me my first ramp check.

I wasn't too worried, as I was pretty certain I had the required paperwork aboard the aircraft. Of course I was asked for the airworthiness certificate and registration as well as weight and balance data. I was a little taken back when he asked to see the date for the weight and balance data, though. In retrospect, I guess I shouldn't have been, as 30 years ago I was taught that it must be current.

I had re-weighed the airplane after it was painted and I'd updated the POH and luckily the "MS Word" software "date field" automatically updated on every page. This is something you may want to check to ensure is current on your POH or whatever weight and balance data you carry.

I was asked if I carried my maintenance and pilot logbooks on board and I replied that I did not. It was true, as I had been advised not to carry them just for this reason. (I don't believe he would have found anything amiss if I had them with me).

I was not asked to see if I had current sectionals or databases or anything along those lines. I did have to present my pilot's certificate and current medical. And he asked for my airplane?s Hobb's meter time and serial number. Overall, it was a fairly painless 10 minute process. Both of us were courteous. I just thought I'd share this experience in case anyone was wondering what the ramp check process was like.

Jerry Cochran · #2 03-24-2010, 12:58 PM

Was he as courteous as well when you asked to see his credentials?

Thanks for the report, and would like to ask those who have been ramp checked to weigh in with reports...

JDRhodes · #3 03-24-2010, 01:00 PM

I know the regs allow it, but it bugs me...

Jerry Cochran · #4 03-24-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDRhodes

I know the regs allow it, but it bugs me...

Yah, it would bug me too, but it's not that "the regs allow it", but that it is your right to do so. Something on the order of: "Sir, may I respectfully request a peek at your credentials?"

Way back when, I neglected to look at an alleged "Flight Instructor"s creds, and turned out he was not one at all. Gave me a nice lesson tho, in more ways than one...

n5lp · #5 03-24-2010, 01:24 PM

A number of years ago I was ramp-checked at a fly-in at Lubbock Texas, along with everyone else who flew in. Mine went about like Joe's; no problem. FAA policy at the time was that there was not supposed to be mass ramp checks at fly-ins.

Well, it did teach me one thing. Don't ever again go to an otherwise very pleasant fly-in breakfast at Lubbock International.

DBone · #6 03-24-2010, 01:26 PM

I was ramp checked at 11pm at my home airport after returning from a day trip with my girlfriend 4 years ago (tower was closed for the night). I was a little surprised by 2 men approaching the plane at night before I was even out of it yet. They said "We're from the FAA, and we would like to do a ramp check." I said, almost joking, "How do I know you guys are really from the FAA?" They whipped out their credentials, so they were definitely legit.

I got nervous and asked if I had busted Class B or something, and they gave a very generic response "nope... we're just here to make sure that everybody that's up there (pointing to the sky) is supposed to be up there."

One guy asked for the typical stuff (W&B, Cert, A/W) while the other walked around the airplane. I never even got out of the cockpit.

After about 10 minutes, the whole thing was over. I had to sign their "log", and they left. Pretty painless.

N8RV · #7 03-24-2010, 01:31 PM

I survived a couple of them many years ago without incident. However, the whole concept still galls me. Yeah, yeah ... I know the whole thing about "flying being a privilege, not a right", but cops can't pull you over while driving just to see if you have a driver's license.

I have a gut feeling that it's just going to get worse in time ...

apkp777 · #8 03-24-2010, 01:32 PM

The last time I was ramp checked was changing the nose wheel on a MD-80. The FAA guy said "hey, you got a procedure for that tire change". I said sure, pulled up a crumpled sheet of paper with the correct M.M. page. The whole time the captain was in the plane holding the tiller hard left (trick for changing the tire without a jack, but not in the manual). He never asked for my A&P, we shot the breeze a bit. No problems. I gave the captain a pat on the back for not flinching with the tiller. He knew what was happening. I doubt I'd gotten in any trouble if he asked where my jack was. But who knows. As long as you are respectful (whether you feel they deserve it or not), I don't think there's much to worry about.

Most of the FAA inspectors I have met are pretty descent. Sounds like you had a good one as well. Still makes your heart skip a beat though.

N941WR · #9 03-24-2010, 01:41 PM

My wife's uncle was with the FAA before he retired. He was visiting from OK and couldn't wait to see the RV and as soon as he did, he ramp checked me. Does a ramp check by a retired FAA inspector count?

His back was hurting so he never did get to go for a ride but promised to go up after I get it back in the air.

After we returned home he called to say he was stunned at how well the plane climbed with me and my wife onboard and the little O-290 up front (and I wasn't even doing a max rate climb).

erich weaver · #10 03-24-2010, 01:44 PM

There seems to be an increasing amount of ramp checks recently - they have occurred twice in the last several months at Santa Ynez, CA (IZA), which is untowered and relatively small. Be prepared and be courteous.

erich