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Has the FAA done a deal with EASA to do ramp checks on N-regs?

France has a great airspace structure and a good supply of GA-accessible airfields. And a lot of it – especially the southern half – is really scenic – more so than a lot of places in Europe. I don’t think anyone would think otherwise. Plus of course incomparably better food than the UK Flying to France is a great icing on the cake for GA flying and represents a lot more value than doing burger runs within the UK.

But there seem to be gradual developments which are a bit disturbing, especially with this very targeted attack being of much concern to anyone applicable.

But also I am sure if you are a French local who knows the language and its subtleties, the way the society works there, and maybe even knows the law, you will be as happy as I would be when faced with a police inspection here in the UK. Except for the waste of my time, I would be totally unconcerned if I got one here. So I bet they don’t do many inspections on F-regs because they are very likely to get somebody who knows the rules.

If we can get some perspective from a French pilot (many of them read EuroGA daily) that would be really interesting.

The removal of Customs/Immigration from about 50 airfields is a separate issue, the motivation behind which remains a mystery since a lot of the airports lost a lot of business immediately, while the cost to the French would have been close to nil since they almost never visited any of them.

Administrator
Shoreham EGKA, United Kingdom

Peter wrote:

You get GA ramp checks? At which airfields and what did they do?

No ramp checks, just the friendly “Welcome” visit from the Customs & Immigration Officiers – last time was @ Exeter and they came out in pouring rain to escort me and my pax to their office for passport & visa checks.

FAA A&P/IA
LFPN

Peter wrote:

But there seem to be gradual developments which are a bit disturbing, especially with this very targeted attack being of much concern to anyone applicable.

I really don’t think there is any “targeted attacks”, but rather a tick up in the general vigilance.

I also seriously doubt that there are any FAA – EASA ramp check “deals” either.

Just like the Customs & Immigration scene in the UK, the level of vigilance seems to be more geared to “other” political affairs rather than a witch hunt against GA.

That said, there are defiantly other entities that are out to get us !

FAA A&P/IA
LFPN

Peter wrote:

So I bet they don’t do many inspections on F-regs because they are very likely to get somebody who knows the rules.

Yes, and this scheme was created by the head of the French GA-police. Be careful when you meet him, he’s out to get us all.

Well in 36 yrs of Flying in the US I got ramp checked by the FAA once in 2003.

KHTO, LHTL

C210_Flyer wrote:

Well in 36 yrs of Flying in the US I got ramp checked by the FAA once in 2003.

And you escaped from jail and fled to Europe ?

FAA A&P/IA
LFPN

By the way Hungary is the most GA friendly country in Europe. Just to set the record straight.

With two notable exceptions LHBP and LHDC One operated by a German consortium and the other by monkey see monkey do Hungarian consortium Xanga.
Both airports way under capacity but yet keep GA out with ridiculous fees.

KHTO, LHTL

Michael 16-Oct-15 10:05 #46
C210_Flyer wrote:
Well in 36 yrs of Flying in the US I got ramp checked by the FAA once in 2003.
And you escaped from jail and fled to Europ

And to think Im not even Muslim.

True story I was asked to show my passport recently as I was checking into a hotel. Kidding around I said “Hey I thought your not suppose to be checking passports anymore!” “Yes she said but thats for migrants” So I said, “well Im from Syria!” She says, “well ok then” She was serious and I wasnt but I didnt have to show my passport.

Good thing I didnt keep pushing by telling her to wear a burka. She might have caught on.

Peter we need more emotional inserts

Last Edited by C210_Flyer at 16 Oct 10:17
KHTO, LHTL

I see many “ramp checks” being carried out in the UK by different agencies.
Anyone flying to the UK without knowing about the infamous “GAR” or giving notice of their arrival will be in for a visit from UKBF (customs and immigration) on arrival. Special Branch (Police) can also be involved.
UK CAA have been carrying out more inspections of UK aircraft but that is more an airworthiness/maintenance audit and usually with advance notice (but can take place on a parked aircraft without warning if you believe what is on the internet).
Whilst UK say they will carry out SAFA checks, I have only known of this to happen in France. I have been onboard a G registered aircraft that was checked in France and it was all very much as per the checklist earlier in the thread.
I thought I was going to be ramp-checked when I arrived at the same time as the infamous helicopter but that time they were more interested in the airliner that landed just after me full of people returning from holiday.

Last Edited by KevinC at 16 Oct 11:41

Glad to teach you a new phrase Aviathor :-) I agree I suppose it wasn’t really insulting to say ‘wind your neck in’ and it was never meant to be. Regardless I won’t be using that line again. It would have been far worse for example to offer a ‘Glasgow Kiss’

Joking aside and reading the posts it does look like GA pilots are being treated unfairly in France. Best option looks to be to Boycott the place, if they can’t follow the rules fairly then why bother ? Only other option is to petition EASA about the substandard treatment and maybe talk to the FAA if N reg is being singled out. Whether either of them will do anything to assist is another matter. Would be sweet justice though if the FAA started to ramp check each and every French reg aircraft / airline that lands in the US

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