rickair7777

Yes, your pilot cert (with all ratings) along with your CFI cert can be suspended for a period of time or revoked.

The normal progression for FAA discipline (as I understand it) is as follows. Which level you get to depends on the severity of the violation...

1) Phone Number: You call the ATC sup and talk things over. They may leave it at that and the FSDO enforcers will never know a thing (still do a nasa form to CYA).

2) Stern Talking To: In this case the FSDO is aware of the situation (via ATC or through other means), if it was minor, unintentional, and both you and the fed have a good attitude, it may get dropped at this point. You may get a letter of investigation (LOI), or they may just invite you to come in and chat.

3) Formal Warning: You will get an LOI, the FAA will do a formal investigation and violate you. The warning stays in your file for a period of time (not sure how long), and will ensure harsher treament for any future violations.

4) Suspension: Just like 3) after an investigation your certs will be suspended for 30 days to one year I think. (normally ALL of your certs, although they might let you keep your A&P for a flight violation and vice-versa)

6) Revocation: Just like 3) following an investigation your certs will be permanently revoked. Usually you can re-apply in one year by meeting all training requirements (you already do, except for currency), taking all written tests, and taking all check rides again. In some cases I think they can deny re-application forever.

7) Emergency Revocation: This is for really serious stuff...unlike the previous situations they revoke your certs IMMEDIATELY without any due process. An investigation will eventually follow and the revocation may be reduced to something else or thrown out (but probably not).


In the case of 1) and 2) there is no formal record of any problem, and it shouldn't come back to haunt you.

For 3) through 7) you can appeal to an administrative law judge. If you don't like his answer you can appeal to the NTSB board (the actual appointed political members). Appeals of FAA violations rarely succeed.

In all cases hopefully you realized the violation occured and filled out and mailed the nasa form within ten days...by the time the LOI arrives, it will too late for nasa. When the fed contacts you be sure and tell him that you mailed a nasa form...if he knows he can't get your tickets, he may lose interest and issue a warning or drop it. Also be aware that nasa forms have limitations...one of which is that they don't work for intentional violations. Altitude violation=accidental. Flying with known Mx or currency disrepencies = intentional.

Any professional pilot who thinks he may be in FAA trouble needs to get legal help (AOPA, Union, or aviation Lawyer).