Witmo
Pattern Altitude
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2006
- Messages
- 2,385
- Display Name
Display name:
Tim
Had a question in the morning concerning adding ground instructor to a certificate so I called our local FSDO. Had to leave a message because everyone was apparently too busy to answer the phone. Later that day an ops inspector returned my call. When I asked him what I needed to do to add a ground instructor rating to my "license," he proceeded to lecture me on the difference between a "certificate" and a "license." Then he admonished me to go to faa.gov and all the information is "clearly posted." After I mentioned that there is no explanation of the process other than some sample questions for the required tests and a pointer to IACRA, I asked what then? He then told me I needed to be familiar with this process in order to be an instructor and then he lectured me on knowing all of Parts 61, 91, 141 etc. He finally told me I needed to make an appointment at the FSDO after completing IACRA.
No wonder they don't have any time to answer the phone as they are too busy lecturing instead of answering civil questions. He spent 95% of the time berating me for not knowing "the process" and expecting to be an instructor. I suppose I'll just tell students when they ask a question that they are going to be pilots and are expected to know this stuff without any help. I'll just point them to the regulation and tell them: the answers you seek are all here, now stop bothering me."
Another observation I have is the FAA appears to be extremely security conscious for a government institution serving the public. Walk-ins are not allowed due to "security." You have to make an appointment before being allowed into the hallowed halls of a FSDO. What makes them so needful of "security." I can walk into just about any other public government office without an appointment but not a FSDO. Are they all playing foosball and drinking beer during office hours and they need time to sanitize the place before visitors?
No wonder they don't have any time to answer the phone as they are too busy lecturing instead of answering civil questions. He spent 95% of the time berating me for not knowing "the process" and expecting to be an instructor. I suppose I'll just tell students when they ask a question that they are going to be pilots and are expected to know this stuff without any help. I'll just point them to the regulation and tell them: the answers you seek are all here, now stop bothering me."
Another observation I have is the FAA appears to be extremely security conscious for a government institution serving the public. Walk-ins are not allowed due to "security." You have to make an appointment before being allowed into the hallowed halls of a FSDO. What makes them so needful of "security." I can walk into just about any other public government office without an appointment but not a FSDO. Are they all playing foosball and drinking beer during office hours and they need time to sanitize the place before visitors?