Periodically the subject of ramp checks and checkrides with the FAA comes up and many have had varying experiences with the FAA as to their attitude and fairness. I myself have had to schedule a retest for my A&P certificates due to the local FSDO's decision to retest 1400 mechanics who received their certification testing through the single DME here in San Antonio. This DME had been testing mechanic applicants for a number of years during which the FAA supposedly monitored and audited his operation and records. For me it's little more than a hassle/inconvenience, but to many others who are busy earning a living as a mechnanic, it's more.
One of our glider pilots had an unfortunate accident in a motorglider earlier this year in which the tail departed and he had to activate the ballistic chute to save himself. The FAA has questioned his piloting ability and has required him to take a 709 ride to prove his competence. This was expected.
I'll not go into details but I personally observed the process and it was abundantly clear to me that the pilot examiner was determined to pink slip this pilot from the getgo. The examinee could have been Chuck Yeager or Neil Armstrong, no matter what, this guy was going to issue a pink slip because he just knew in his heart that the examinee had screwed up and that belief would be reinforced by a failed 709 examination and ticket suspension/revokation.
The major lesson to be learned from this is: the FAA is not your friend. Say little, as everything you say will be used against you and often it will be the only evidence the FAA will get. If you've just had an accident, you may be suffering from shock and say things that are wrong and actually impede the safety investigation. Consult an aviation lawyer. Do not hand over your license when "asked" to surrender it. You can let the FAA physically examine it but be sure to make it clear that you are not surrendering it. If you are required to surrender it, insist on seeing official paperwork requiring you to surrender it. They will try to intimidate you to voluntarily surrender your license because it saves them the effort of due process. Know your rights and insist on them.
I apologize to those FAA employees who are fair and reasonable. I am sure there are many I would be honored to drink a beer with but at least in my FSDO, I wouldn't trust any of them as far as I could throw them.
