FAA: Here to Help?

[@michaelclements4664]

I'm only in 4 minutes and I can already tell this is going to be excellent. I had similar questions when watching the other episode. Thank you for putting this together.

[@dennisnbrown]

I want to know the shop name

[@emilberesford]

Thanks for the video!!

[@christophergagliano2051]

Here's an interesting situation as a DAR I was hired to do an airworthiness inspection on an aircraft and when I looked at the aircraft initially there was a number of issues wrong with the composite landing gear doors and some other composite issues. The shop that contacted me had no experience in composite repair so I had to explain to him that it needed to be repaired before I can do an inspection in behalf of the FAA. The shop owner said do you know anybody that can do that repair and I said sure I can do it for you, but here's the deal. Don't hand me an application for airworthiness until these repairs are done meaning once I get that application I can't work on the airplane. But as an A&p I can work on the airplane make the correct logbook entries and then ask for an application for airworthiness inspection The shop owner was a bit taken back by that but he agreed so I did the work made the logbook entries received the application and continued on with my airworthiness inspection as an FAA DAR. 😎

[@justcommenting4981]

That seems not in keeping with the spirit of such inspection. Not to disparage your craftsmanship.

[@christophergagliano2051]

@@justcommenting4981 I actually had to clear it through my FAA advisor in the Orlando office. After I explained the situation his question was who's repair was going to be better yours or the maintenance shop and I said I've got more experience my repair would be superior. I get your point and nine times out of 10 I wouldn't do the work myself, but composite repair is a bit tricky, if you don't know what you're doing or have limited experience.

[@justcommenting4981]

@@christophergagliano2051 oh no I wasn't doubting your reasoning.

[@Demnier]

"They're only going to et easier from here" feels optimistic

[@tbeevers]

Sounds like an IA at KBMG. Wouldn’t surprise me if it was.

[@dennisnbrown]

If I was the IA at that shop I would quit.

[@xenadu02]

Wonder what the shop owner's insurance thinks about him making airworthiness decisions that override his A&P/IA decisions. I would assume they take a dim view of that given the liability issues - in both directions! If an accident happens or if a customer sues saying they did unnecessary work. He can't claim to be relying on expert judgement of his employees, nor claim he's following standards and practices like they are (per their training). It's just him pulling stuff out of nowhere.

[@nhwilkinosn]

If DAR's aren't allowed to inspect a flashlight, such that showing up with a mirror and flashlight is suspect, how are they supposed to do what their title says, determine airworthiness? Take the a&p's word for it and kick the tires?

[@JFirn86Q]

Only 18 mins in, but people like Fred the Fed really make me annoyed. GA needs all the help it can get... it's just people like me and you trying to enjoy aviation. The shop wanted nothing to do with the plane, and the owner wanted nothing to do with the shop. Yet regs and a vindictive shop prevented a resolution. The FAA guy didn't perform maintenance or referee a business deal, he just allowed the parties to move on. We need more people like that FAA fellow. For commercial aviation and such, sure, the Fred the Fed types can be as governmentally inefficient and bureaucratic as he'd like. Airliners and such are big organizations which have the resources to handle that. GA can't afford such nonsense. I'm not saying to break the rules, but an FAA fellow taking time to help a GA owner should not be admonished.

[@12345fowler]

Airlines have the resource to handle that ? Have you seen or ever heard of the numerous FAA fines amounting to M$ handed over to them for faulty MX or other improper operations ?

[@JFirn86Q]

@@12345fowler Yes, and? You don't think airliners can't handle millions in fines? Sure it hurts, as designed, but it isn't the end of everything. Ticket prices may go up 50 cents or so, no big deal. Airliners are responsible for millions of lives, GA is just you and me. Airliners also have fleets of people to prevent that from happening. GA owners do not.

[@jimsherman8665]

A problem I see with the previous story was the shop owner (who wasn't an A&P or AI), was making airworthiness decisions ("the engine needs a new cam shaft") against the opinions of his A&P/IA and a 3rd party engine shop. IMHO, he's acting like an A&P/IA without the licensing. For Fred the Fed to take quite a hands-off approach is disturbing. Maybe it's a civil matter, but if someones signs and stamps an engineering document without being a PE (Licensed Professional Engineer), gives legal advice without being a member of the state bar, or gives medical advice without having a state license, those are all illegal activities. I'm surprised Fred the Fed couldn't see the Shop Owner was effectively acting like an A&P/IA without the required certification.

[@marknielsen8738]

SERIOUSLY? You WANT the Fed that beloved clown car organization which is "here to help (oh my God)" directly involved? Have you never interacted with the FED, any part of the FED for any reason at any time? Trust me it's less painful to beat yourself with a bat.

[@cellis5111]

funny how "oh thats none of our business thats a private matter" never applies to a pilot

[@TheReadBaron91]

Don’t agree with it, but the shop owner probably through the aircraft out in pieces to make it harder to fly. Too easy for someone to illegally fly without telling anyone and skip the ferry permit. Seen it happen many times. Which is why if I sign an unairworthy annual it gets obviously placarded as such (ie on the yoke), discrepancy list on the pilot seat on top of providing the owner the list. And pictures of everything. Owners will screw you to keep costs down.