Dealing With The FAA

Dealing With The FAA:
What Do Do If You Think You May Have Accidentally Done Something The FAA Didn't Like And They Ask You Contact Them Informally Verbally

The FAA's "Get Out Of Jail" Free Card....
If you ever "ding" your Mooney, aggravate ATC somehow, or do something you wish the FAA wouldn't ever hear about.....you had better know all about the hard to find, "NASA ARC 227B Incident Reporting Form". While we hope you will never have to use it, we furnish the form on-line is hard to find anyplace else on the net...and when you need it, you will really need it!

Background:
When it comes to informal FAA request for you to contact them relative to a recent flight situation, opinions vary but it is generally assumed that "on the spot" diplomacy, common sense, and a contrite attitude is an excellent way to head off future, more serious enforcement problems. Generally speaking, it takes a given amount of paperwork for a tower or ATC controller to start some type of "official" FAA enforcement action. If you can nip this in the bud with a phone call or visit, you are probably far better off than not. So, most sources contacted feel that complying with their verbal request to "call the tower" or call ATC or the FSS upon landing" etc. is an opportunity for you to put the issue to rest then and there.

However, in our opinion occasionally your call could be used to establish your guilt and/or verify the identity of the PIC (pilot in command), so that a future written report can be issued. Remember, these are administrative actions and your rights are very limited when compared to the typical legal process in court etc. So, there is no clear path of sure-fire advice, but given the scope of the situation it is generally thought that compliance to their verbal request is best. In fact, many times all you will get is a scolding so sometimes it is best to take the initiative to call ATC or the tower soon after landing just in case the FAA personnel may be contemplating pursuing further enforcement action.

MOA Pilot Magazine PDF Reprints "From The Experts" On This Topic
Note: Adobe Acrobat software is FREE on-line and is the same software we utilize to furnish The MOA PILOT Magazine on-line. You will be required to have Adobe Acrobat to download these articles as well as our magazine.

September '01, The MOA PILOT Magazine: "Please Call The Tower...." By Robert Perry Smith, Esq. How to deal with a FAA request to call the tower or "THE Letter" from an aviation savvy attorney.