Dude! You're Busted!

Dude! You’re Busted!

Mark Kolber

Monday, June 22, 2020 at 08:56 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA enforcement process involves five phases: a triggering event (like a pilot deviation), investigation, resolution at the FSDO level, formal enforcement, and potential appeals.
For unintentional deviations, the FAA primarily utilizes its Compliance Program, which focuses on corrective actions to address the issue and typically avoids a permanent violation on the pilot's record.
Intentional, reckless, or fraudulent conduct, or failure to comply with the Compliance Program, can escalate to formal enforcement, leading to certificate suspension or revocation and a permanent record of violation.
Pilots are advised to seek legal counsel early in an FAA investigation to navigate the process, understand their rights, and ensure appropriate responses.

See a mistake? Contact us.

AIRMET Tango for turbulence was spot on. You’re given “climb and maintain six thousand,” but with the bumps you accidentally enter 7000 in the altitude preselect. Passing through 6,300 feet, you hear your call sign and, “verify level at six.” You stop the climb and head back down. All seems good until 10 minutes later you hear your call sign again. “Possible pilot deviation. Advise you contact Chicago Center Quality Assurance. I have a phone number. Advise ready to copy.”

I think of the FAA enforcement process as having five distinct phases: the triggering event, investigation, resolution at the FSDO, enforcement, and appeals. My goal is to give you a basic understanding of the process so, if it happens to you, it won’t be a surprise.