FAA monitoring online videos

[Sonex1517]

I wanted to post this in case anyone missed it.

This is notice the FAA posted about online videos people post and seems to be a notification that they are actively monitoring them.

Worth considering what you post may have ramifications you did not expect....

http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900.292.pdf


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[fastj22]

I was warned about this from my RV friends years ago. The Feds are just looking to violate someone.

[MichaelFarley56]

You'd think if they have all day to sit around and watch Youtube videos they could do something important, like third class medical reform or a revamp of the FAR's (like they've been promising). But then again it's the FAA...

[SNX1508]

If I do something illegal and post it online, I am asking, and should be, violated.

[DCASonex]

You'd think if they have all day to sit around and watch Youtube videos they could do something important, like third class medical reform or a revamp of the FAR's (like they've been promising). But then again it's the FAA...

That memo is their way of justifying their having fun viewing those videos, and getting paid to do so.

David A.

[seanmb]

Let's be fair here; this Notice is rather tame and reasonable.

It is not telling FAA employees to actively look for violations, but what to do when they receive a notification/complaint. (First paragraph)
On the whole it is directed more at the R/C aviation community, and gives guidance to deal with those reports with just a form letter to a possible violations rather than administrative action.
For a possible Maned flight violation, it refers to existing procedural documentation, with a statement that the Internet Video alone is not ordinarily sufficient evidence to support an action.
With all the news on 'drones', I'm sure that the FAA is getting hit with a wave of reports from internet lawyer/cop wannabes who want enforcement against these 'lawbreakers'.

[fastj22]

When my hangar mate Zack was selling his Sonex on Barnstormers, he included a picture of him and a friend inverted. I told him that wasn't wise, since it was clear neither were wearing a parachute. He agreed and took the picture down.

[LarryEWaiex121]

Biggest problem with this entire issue is the FAA really doesn't have the personnel and time to investigate a lot of day to day operations.
The result ends up being visits to airshows, gatherings, etc. Kind of like the cop on the beat that's being reviewed for how many speeding tickets got issued the last month. Therefore folks get ramp checked and the like. No one likes it because it seems sneaky and underhanded.
I can imagine that on any given day if someone wants to dig far enough there will be something to bitch about in the paperwork on most airplanes. AD missed, radio station license, log entry, transponder or pitot check, etc.
My honest feeling towards this notice they put out is, its meant to "draw close" the eyes of those who full well know they are in open violation and put them on notice that their actions are subject to review for cause. I fully don't expect to see a FAA rep standing behind every other hanger or sitting for hours reviewing the latest posts to YouTube. If something is grossly out of line, they pretty much have to act or risk being hounded for blatently turning a blind eye. Its a double edged sword.
Personally, I wish folks would quit doing really, really stupid things but being human nature that's a frivolous thought. :)