Originally Posted by
Michael9000
You may have misread my question...
"Do they have authority under 61.3(L) & 61.51(a) to demand this inspection given that I am a passenger on a plane who just happens to have a certificate?"
In other words, do they have such authority over passengers? Could they draw a certificate out of the hat and make that pilot produce his logbook without specific cause?
Not an aviation lawyer here, but the specific statue quoted 61.3(L) reads:
(l) Inspection of certificate. Each person who holds an airman certificate, medical certificate, authorization, or license required by this part must present it and their photo identification as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section for inspection upon a request from:
(1) The Administrator;
(2) An authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board; or
(3) Any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.
(4) An authorized representative of the Transportation Security Administration.
So, yeah, it appears they can ask you for no, or any, reason. Making you drive to the FSDO to do so makes it look like an excuse to get you in their office answering questions, which is why you should probably have a lawyer present.