Refusing FAA observation
 

Can I refuse a specific FAA inspector access to observe in a sim or on my jumpseat based on a prior event where the inspector was in the wrong. Any references are appreciated.

Call in sick ?

You can, but it will be a violation of 121.548. It's possible there is a legitimate reason, as certain people can "bump" an inspector, so it would be investigated to determine if there was a valid reason, but if not, probably a violation. I'm pretty sure they wrote it in the regs like that on purpose.

Find something wrong with the jumpseat and MEL it. Is the fabric torn? That's a fireproofing hazard. Is the cushion worn, that's a safety hazard as well since the seats are certified to withstand a certain G load in a crash.

I used to write up pilot seats because they were so worn out it would hurt my back. Mx will be forced to MEL the jumpseat.

Bleed the oxygen down to a level you can only depart with 2 people in the cockpit.

is he inspecting you (targeting you for some reason?) or just checking his "I performed an inspection" block on his activity report ?

I still don't know why you can't call in sick that day or the entire week due to an ill family member

Don't be scared of the FAA...if you encounter a FAA bully, just ask them about their flying experience and go from there...It can be the most entertaining experience of your day...

You can't really deny them access to the sim. Best thing there, if there's truly a personality issue, would be to cancel the session and address the issue with management. They can take it up with the POI or higher if they concur.

Just because the guy was wrong once before doesn't mean you can turn him away. If he's repeatedly wrong you could address that pattern with management and the POI.

If you think he's biased or out to get you, you could address that with the company but you'd probably need some sort of evidence.

If it's an actual flight and the guy is intimidating or creating a distracting atmosphere that would seem to give safety grounds for denying him, but hopefully you have a witness and you'd better call your MOD on the spot before you go.

Tough situation. The bad ones can usually be intimidated if you know how, at least in a real airplane. It's not good for their careers if they create issues involving canx or delayed flights.

I had one fed who came on all hard and steely-eyed. It had already been a long day and I wasn't looking forward to it. We're getting ready to go and my FO chat's her up and asks if she's also making the return leg on our out-and-back. She answers no, she has some investment property at the destination and she's staying to check on it...she wasn't even 121, just a piston GA inspector. I told her to go sit in the back. Point being talk to them, see what you can learn.

be my guest....I know of a checkairman that lost his letter because of that tactic....

Yeah that kind of thing is walking the line for sure, you might get away with it once. Maybe. I know a guy who got in trouble because when the fed open the jumpseat it fell apart in his hand. The CA wrote it up of course but the fed (a known tool) complained to the POI and the CA got called on the carpet. First the fed wanted to violate him for sabotaging the JS, but MX backed him up and said the part was just plain worn out (as opposed to suddenly damaged). Then they wanted to bust him for not writing up the jumpseat on previous legs, and he had to fight that by arguing that there's no routine ops check of the JS on any checklist, ie no way he could have known.

Fixed that for you