Caveman
Well Known Member
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.
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.