I'll give a word of advice: Do NOT carry your aircraft logbooks in your aircraft. If you are ramp-checked and the logs are available, the inspector may require you to produce them. (Only carry your aircraft logs aboard the aircraft if the aircraft is going to crash on the next flight and the aircraft is going to completely burn up.)
Pay close attention to the pilots that are
required to carry their pilot-logbooks on each flight.
Also, the AOPA article (below) has made an error in their list of documents required to be onboard. The "operating handbook" (Owner's Manual) is NOT required to be onboard. BUT... they are correct about the AFM,.... the Approved Flight Manual (AFM)
IS! The Cessna 170 AFM is a one-page, two-sided document, specific to the particular model (170/170A/170B) and MUST be carried onboard the aircraft. If you don't have one, Cessna will sell you one for a bunch of money. Or, if you are a TIC170A Member, you can simply get one from headquarters for the price of photocopy. (Your membership just paid for itself.) I keep my AFM copy folded up and in the same pouch as the Airworthiness Cert., Registration Cert., and my Wt & Bal/Equipment LIst is kept there too.
The charts should be current (or you may have electronic charts if they are current), and the ELT battery will not be accessed if tools are required to get to it. (No disassembly of the aircraft is required during a ramp-check.) The VOR check should be logged every 30 days and kept in a record aboard the aircraft. The equipment list/wt & bal should be up-to-date (no obvious equipment differences than that listed... like different radios, or wheelpants, etc.), and your seatbelts should have TSO datatags that are legible and permanently attached to each belt.
It's also possible that, if the inspector is knowlegeable or has a type certificate data sheet handy, he might look for baggage compartment, fuel selector, compass correction, and operating limitation (usually on the glove box door and instrument markings) placards.
You are also
required to have a gov't-issued photo I.D., your Pilot's Certificate (we don't have licenses in the U.S.) and your valid medical certificate. (In fact, these particular items must be presented to any law enforcement officer, judge, justice, magistrate, or Transportation Security Administration or State Dept. official who asks for them. You don't have to let them hold them. You only have to display them when requested.)
Final word to the wise: Have an important appointment to get to. Soon. Be polite. Do not get conversational. Do not get chatty. (Do not answer questions that weren't asked.) Answer only the questions asked. Thank him when he's finished. Say goodbye to the nice man and walk away.
http://www.aopa.org/members/files/topics/rmpcheck.html
provides the following information about ramp checks:
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Ramp Checks
Pilots are expected to conduct flights safely and remain in compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA conducts "ramp checks" to ensure pilots maintain these expectations. Though generally straightforward, some ramp checks end up with enforcement actions against the pilot. This subject report provides guidance and suggestions on how to properly handle an FAA ramp check.
A typical check involves the inspection of the pilot's airman and medical certificates and aircraft paperwork and an exterior inspection of an aircraft. The inspector may use a "Job Aid" during the inspection; this aid helps demystify the expectations. A cooperative and diplomatic attitude will usually result in a positive ramp inspection.
An FAA ramp check may occur when an inspector:
Observes an unsafe operation in the traffic pattern or in the ramp.
Is notified by ATC of an unsafe operation.
Conducts normal surveillance.
The typical ramp inspection for most noncommercial operations is during normal surveillance. The aviation safety inspector will usually present identification before conducting a ramp inspection. If you suspect you are subject of a ramp inspection and the individual does not present identification, you may ask for it, and the inspector is required to present it.
The check basically involves a review of the airman and the aircraft. The findings from both are usually noted on the FAR Part 91 Ramp Inspection Job Aid.
The inspector is not authorized to detain you if it means missing a flight or making an engagement. They may only keep you long enough to check the required paperwork.
If requested, the pilot is required to present his or her pilot and medical certificates and, if applicable, the logbook. Logbooks are required for the following flights:
Student pilots are required to carry logbooks on all solo cross-country flights.
Sport pilots are required to carry logbooks or other evidence of required instructor endorsements on all flights.
Recreational pilots are required to carry logbooks with required instructor endorsements on all solo flights that exceed 50 nm from the airport at which the training was received; within the airspace that requires communication with ATC; between sunset and sunrise; or in an aircraft for which the pilot is not appropriately rated in the category and class.
Flight instructors with sport pilot ratings must carry their logbooks or other evidence of endorsements on all flights when providing flight training.
All other pilots are advised to keep their logbooks at home. Don't be alarmed if the inspector begins noting this information on his Job Aid. Presenting the documentation is required but not physically releasing the documents.
The pilot certificate is inspected to ensure the airman has the proper certificate and ratings for operations conducted, such as instrument operations requiring an instrument rating on the pilot's certificate. The medical is checked for proper class; conducting commercial operations requires at least a second class medical. If applicable, the logbook will be checked for records of currency (e.g., flight review, instrument currency, and landings and takeoffs for passengers).
The inspector is not authorized to board your aircraft without the knowledge of the crew. They may inspect the exterior and look through windows.
The inspector is authorized to inspect:
The airworthiness certificate.
The aircraft registration.
The operating handbook.
The weight and balance information.
The minimum equipment list (if applicable).
Aeronautical charts (if applicable).
The general airworthiness of the aircraft.
The ELT battery.
A VOR check.
The seats/safety belts.
AOPA suggests cooperating with the inspectors, and the following may help reduce the time and scope of the inspection:
Be courteous and cooperative.
Be busy; FAA inspectors are not authorized to delay you for any great length of time.
Do not volunteer more information than is absolutely required.
Keep in an easily referenced location at least the following information:
Your medical and pilot certificate.
Logbook (only for student pilots).
Airworthiness certificate (displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance (91.203
).
Aircraft registration.
Approved flight manual or operating handbook.
Weight and balance data.
Current charts appropriate for flight (VFR and IFR).
If the ramp check is due to a possible violation, anything you say or do may be used against you.
If you have enrolled in AOPA's Legal Services Plan, call AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA immediately. The consequences for even minor infractions can be far more serious than you might think. If you have not enrolled in AOPA's Legal Services Plan, call AOPA to speak with an aviation specialist about how best to proceed.
For more information, read FAA Order 8700.1, Chapter 56, Conduct A FAR Part 91 Ramp Inspection and AOPA's Overview of FAA Enforcement.
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An excellent article from the AOPA Legal Counsel on a ramp check is:
http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot ... c9605.html
It was the first of the month and my airplane was due annual and in the rush of the pop-up-trip request from the passenger I'd completely forgotten it!)
