Trent Palmer Says His FAA Penalty Could Pressure Pilots

YouTube personality and backcountry pilot says if his certificate suspension is upheld, people may be forced to make dangerous landings.

Trent Palmer told his side of the story on his YouTube channel -- and to FLYING. [YouTube Screengrab]

Key Takeaways:

YouTube pilot Trent Palmer received a 60-day FAA certificate suspension for alleged violations of low-altitude flight regulations (FAR 91.119 and 91.13) during a low-pass inspection of a friend's backyard airstrip.
Palmer argues that low inspection passes are standard and necessary for safe off-airport landings, and that the ruling, if upheld, could make such operations illegal and pressure pilots into risky landings.
The case has sparked discussion and concern within the aviation community, including AOPA, regarding its potential implications for the future of backcountry flying and the interpretation of regulations concerning low-altitude operations.

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The FAA’s short-term certificate suspension of YouTube pilot Trent Palmer has prompted discussion about federal aviation regulations governing backcountry flight operations and could, according to Palmer, pressure pilots to perform risky landings to avoid potential penalties.

Sitting in a hangar in front of his red Kitfox, Palmer took to his popular aviation YouTube channel Thursday, outlining his version of events that has spanned more than two years and has left him a step closer to temporary grounding by the FAA.