Arctic,

There is no doubt that there are inspectors out there who aren't very familiar with the airplanes they are tasked with inspecting. But, I would point out that in a ramp inspection, all they're really doing is verifying the pilot's credentials and the airplane's paperwork. Now, if they also observe some obvious violation.....

And, anyone knows that a routine traffic stop by a state patrolman can go a couple of different ways if there is a minor violation.....and a lot of which way it goes has to do with attitude. Is that right or wrong? I dunno, but my experience with ramp checks has always been that they were VERY professionally conducted and administered in a friendly and courteous manner. And, i used to get ramped pretty regularly at FAI. There was a period of time where the FSDOs were supposed to complete a certain number of ramp checks each quarter, and I was a convenient target. I think one summer I was ramped probably ten times. Were these things productive? Nope, other than it kept the inspectors focused on a legal airplane and pilot so they didn't bother others, I guess. Did they bother me? Not really. None of them took more than ten or fifteen minutes.

I too have had a few frustrations with FSDOs over the years in trying to get paperwork sorted out, and the speed with which they deal with paperwork applications is generally glacial at best. THAT process could definitely be streamlined.

If you believe that two FAA Inspectors are going to be parked at the TKA airport ALL SUMMER, I've got a few black helicopters flying around I could send your way....

MTV