I happened across this little gem of a quote. I’ve posted about attorneys before who have said that you should never talk to police or insurance companies without an attorney present. Of course, sometimes it’s necessary to talk to those people, and you should have an attorney, and attorneys want you to have an attorney. But, it’s cheaper not to have an attorney, and not talk to those people.

Pilots will make mistakes, and face discipline from the FAA, such as fines or license revocation. Should you start talking to the FAA or any other government entity? Here’s what a former FAA investigator advises:

“I am a former FAA inspector. When I was a fed we had to give out a copy of the Pilots Bill of Rights (PBR) with all written correspondence. If we sent a Letter of investigation (LOI) we had to include a PBR. The PBR, in part stated that they don’t have to respond to the LOI and we can’t infer guilt by their non response.

This can be important because sometimes we had nothing but an N# to work with. No way of knowing who was at the controls. If we send an LOI to the registered owner and get no response we were likely at a dead end.

If we get the registered owners phone number and call them, they pretty much always acknowledge having flown the airplane at the time in question. They admitted to an incriminating key fact that they did not have to admit to because the PBR was bypassed. I asked around about this PBR being bypassed on phone calls. All agreed this seemed to not comply with our mandate to notify pilots of their rights.

I started telling pilots this PBR info when I called them. Some where smart and just said ok, thanks, goodbye. This guy was on video so he would be Identified as PIC already but still, answering a call from the feds is not a good idea. I think it would be best to be very polite and friendly, but say now is not a good time, I’ll call you back. You never know what stupid thing may inadvertently come out of your mouth.

If they do have a way of placing it you at the controls then lots of apologetic ass kissing can help. If you dig in your heels and get nasty some will take it as a challenge and throw the book at you.

I am really glad I am not a fed anymore.