rorythedog Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 has anyone ever been ramp checked? what was it like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregwatts Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I have......If your docs are in order, no problem. If you are nice, polite, and cooperative, it will be easier for you. They normally ramp check commercial operators......not recreational flyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rorythedog Posted January 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: gregwatts I have......If your docs are in order, no problem. If you are nice, polite, and cooperative, it will be easier for you. They normally ramp check commercial operators......not recreational flyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTK Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I've never been ramp checked. But based on what I hear it is not something I look forward to! And it makes me wonder and curious really. Why is it such a negative experience. Are they out to get us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
231Pilot Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 About six years ago I was checked by local airport security on a Thanksgiving morning at KGPT before flying to KAWM. Asked to see license and registration, didn't ask for any other papers. Made the comment that not many people were flying on Thanksgiving morning. I responded that it looked like I'd have the full attention of the controllers, should have a safer flight. After that, she (security) just smiled and said have a nice flight. I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbit64 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I was checked by Fed's quite a few times while flying part 121 (airlines). Most times the Feds were looking to just check you pilot cert. and medical. On occasion they would ride the jump seat for the leg. I even had a Maintenance Inspector stroll up for a ride while me and the captain were trying to figure out a maintenance question. The fed walked in to the cockpit, saw all the reference books open and went looking for us. (we were both out looking at a gouge in a tire) He asked what our intent was (we called for a replacement) and then sat and gave us a maintainer's point of view and actually taught us a bit. No stress if you're doing the right things. I have had a negative experience down in Baton Rouge,LA but I chalked that up to a personality defect issue and smiled, realized I'd not see this knuckle head again and it became a bar story. Most Fed's are just doing a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregwatts Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: rorythedog were you flying your mooney when you were checked? was there a special circumstance or was it a random check? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve65E-NC Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I had my E open on the ramp doing an oil change when an FAA Inspector walked up. He was polite but it was clear that he hoped he had a "live one". Luckily I had my Mooney Service Manual close on hand and a lycoming engine manual and I knew my maintainence rights. I think if I had not had instructions, or something that looked like instructions, on hand I would have been in trouble. I did not have the aircraft logs on hand and probably would not have produced them on the spot even if I had. In the end he just asked that I fax him a copy of my log entry when complete. I asked my IA to help me make it in proper form (and learned in the process). I faxed off the entry and heard nothing more. The interaction was professional and polite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trjymr Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Will someone refresh my memory on everything that must be on board... Weight and Balance license medical registration owners manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregwatts Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: trjymr Will someone refresh my memory on everything that must be on board... Weight and Balance license medical registration owners manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlunseth Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Now AROW . No Radio license needed. Airworthiness Registration Operating limitations (in the Airplane Floght Manual) Weight and balance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OR75 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 AROW and they will likely want to see the steel tag with the plane S/N. (under the elevator on mooney's) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danb35 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I was ramp checked on my first solo flight as a student pilot. FAA guy walked up to the plane as I was getting ready to fuel it and said, "Hi, I'm here to help you." He looked at my medical and logbook, I showed him the a/w cert in the plane, and that was all he seemed to want to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorealOne Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Riddle me this - if my POH lives on my iPad now, would that pass FAA scrutiny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnicolette Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: borealone Riddle me this - if my POH lives on my iPad now, would that pass FAA scrutiny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjsny78 Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I got ramp checked and they just did a walk around inspection of the plane, asked for my license, medical, registration, and airworthiness certificate. They also wanted to see my compass correction card for some reason and asked when my annual was. They took some notes and left. They were very nice but I having never been ramp checked before was taken back a bit and admittedly did not cooperate fully at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregwatts Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: Bnicolette Yes All I carry is my iPhone with all the necessary charts (both IFR and VFR sectionals), approach plates, AFD, and my POH/AFM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I was ramp checked once, it was a friendly and courteous despite my inability to product the required documents at first request. But comments like "I am here to help you" indicate a motivation to find something wrong. Ramp checks are mandatory for ATC and most of them just want to get it out of the way, but some feel they have a responsibility to find problems. your opinions may differ (from mine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becca Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: Cruiser IBut comments like "I am here to help you" indicate a motivation to find something wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
201er Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Quote: borealone Riddle me this - if my POH lives on my iPad now, would that pass FAA scrutiny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetdriven Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 as long as the POH is the specific one registered to your airplane with the correct weight and balance, and equipment list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlunseth Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Quote: Bnicolette Yes All I carry is my iPhone with all the necessary charts (both IFR and VFR sectionals), approach plates, AFD, and my POH/AFM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
231flyer Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Twice, once in 2000 at KBJC and again in 2006 at KFTW. AT BJC the FAA guy walked up after I had landed from TX and asked to see my registration. I had recently re-registered the A/C and he said it raised an alarm in their system when I filed an IFR flight plan. I had had my pink copy and that was the end of the conversation. Very pleasant even apologetic guy ....maybe because I had my family in the 231. I detected a RPM fluctuation(dirty spark plug after an annual) on takeoff from KDTO and decided to make a precautionary landing at Ft Worth Meecham. FAA guys were waiting for me as I taxied to the mechanic. Asked for AROW, License, and medical. I had a photocopy of my medical and they asked me to Fax them the original (did not understand the difference but did not argue). Guys were pleasant but seemed they were trying to fill their quota of monthly ramp checks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTK Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Quote: 231flyer Twice, once in 2000 at KBJC and again in 2006 at KFTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
231flyer Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks AllSmiles. I have been flying since 1992 so I should be due my next ramp check within the next couple of years.......just smile and be friendly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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