Foreign jets to be grounded?

[Chris]

Heys guys. I just spoke with the guys at Air Response. They overhaul our engines for our B-17 and B-25. Their FAA rep was at their shop the other day doing inspections and such and Eddie Packard told me that the conversation rolled around to some of the Foreign built jets like the MiGs and Aerovodochodys. The FAA rep told him that they were going to make the grounding of all foreign built jets a priority regardless of whether they were pre or post moratorium. Along those lines, Ray Bachman is selling his L-29 and MiG 17 so I'm wondering if there is any truth to this RUMOR. Have any Wixers heard anything to this end or are there any Feds who check out this site? I'm up to my neck doing a MiG-15 and I sure don't want this effort to be wasted. Help!!!!!!

[PhantomAce08]

Why on earth would they have a problem with these jets? What does it matter if they fit regulations?!?

[Tigercat]

Damnable government pencil-pushing fu*king as*holes!!!!

[Steve T]

Wow...I feel sorry for all those airlines operating Airbus products...

Seriously, what a daft idea...one that could virtually eliminate jet Warbirds from the NA circuit if it transpires that the Canadian-built Sabres and T-33s are considered "foreign" also...

S.

[Mike]

Hmm, L-29s and L-39s, MiGs, Hunters, Gnats, JPs / Strikemasters, Iskry, Canadian CT-133s and Sabres, Saetas, Vampires & Venoms, Drakens, Magisters........

Not gonna be a whole lot left, if that's really the true situation.

[bdk]

Sounds unlikely to me. I would expect to hear something from the EAA about this if there was any substance to it. Just hearing this from "some guy" with the FAA doesn't lend much credence to the rumor. How is it that this FAA guy was confided in but nobody else knows about it?

[tom d. friedman]

sounds as if the faa's thinking is a double standard, & they are also talking out of both sides of their mouth too!!! can they chew gum & walk at the same time?? what a bunch of bean counting b.s. from our illustrious protector from above.

[Chris]

Like I stated before, If it is just a rumor, then great. I figured I'd come to the Wixers to see if anyone else had heard something like this. If nobody has, then that may be all it is, just a rumor. I certainly didn't intend to upset anyone or get into Fed bashing. You guys brought up some good points though. The EAA does seem to stay on top of this stuff really well so If it were based in fact, I'm sure they would have put out notices to all the warbird community like they have in the past regarding over regulation. I feel better after getting your guys viewpoints though so I'll keep right on going and see if we can't get this thing back in the air.

[RickH]

Apparently there was some informal discussion about it at ICAS. Consensus was that it would be tough for them to single out one category of aircraft. Seems to be wishful thinking with some at the FAA. Apparently it has stemmed from the L-39 crashes, though I don't think there have been any for a while.

[Sabremech]

Since this is the only place I've heard this topic raised, I'wouldn't get too worked up. Very doubtful this will ever happen. Too many people with alot of money invested to happen quickly.

[Matt Gunsch]

in the eyes of the FAA, it would be a perfect job if it wern't for the airplanes.

[Boneyard]

in the eyes of the FAA, it would be a perfect job if it wern't for the airplanes.

Matt, you should try owning and flying aircraft over in the UK or Europe.
EASA and the CAA see GA as the spawn of the Devil!

[P51Mstg]

Very doubtful this will ever happen. Too many people with alot of money invested to happen quickly.


Honestly, having been around government and the administrative system (like the FAA), their rule making powers are broad and VERY powerful. The amount of money people have invested doesn't matter to them. They will come back with you should have spent you money on something else.

Remember what they did to Bob Hoover and what it took to get that mess straightened out. Suppose they did do it to jets, would every jey owner be willing to put up enough cash (say the value of your airplanes) to hire REAL lawyers who know what they are doing to fight it? I've been there and when it comes time to put up the cash, a few do, but most would rather rid eon their coattails.

I hope it doesn't happen, but you never know

Mark H

[mgeorge51]

I remember a quote from a local FAA guy "We can't ground the pilot's so we have to ground the airplanes". This does reflect too many of the FAA employee's attitude of what they believe is their job. This quote was at the same time the locals were trying to ground my pre-moratorium jet before the moratorium was in place. Turns out they were reading from a proposed rule and applying it as gospel. Add this to the above attitude and it cost me 6 months of flying and $1,000 in legal fees. I remember the lawyers words to the FAA. Show me the page and paragraph and sentence that you are using to hold the airworthiness certificate. When this couldn't be done I had the certificate back within a couple of hours. Years ago I was told that the entire moratorium was started because one jet owner told some people that complained of his noisy jet that it was too bad. They subsequently called their congressman and all foreign experimental aircraft were temporarily stopped from being imported to this country.
My advice is to don't make any unneccesary waves while flying (be nice to your neighbors) and support the orginisations who help fight for our rights EAA and AOPA.

[RickH]

mgeorge51, there other groups out there fighting for your rights, too. In some cases more than at least one organization that you named.