Just sent this to SAFE
We are getting a rash of these, seems like. Folks keep asking me for advice.
I think SAFE would be a good resource -
1. When the inspector "asks" for your license verbally, what do you do?
(Hint - if you voluntarily give it up, remember that was probably not required, but now you have no license!)
2. Should we get all communications in writing?
3. Should we volunteer early and often to take the checkride, and have access to an aircraft (taildragger?) to do it in? (Hint - YES, especially during Covid!)
4. If you refuse to give up your ticket and volunteer for the 709 ride, can they legally and involuntarily pull your ticket? (Hint - I do not know - but I suspect not)
5. More and more, CFIs need to know this cold. I never heard of these things until about four years ago, and so far we have had three taildragger and one Varieze ride either accomplished or demanded, just in my admittedly small and select group. It is arbitrary - a ground loop resulting in an almost totaled Cub did not engender any action at all. A wingtip scrape requiring only an inspection did require one. Same FSDO.
Regards - Bob