"Larry Dighera" wrote:

But the fact is that the FAA has virtually unchecked power
over your aviation activities and enforcess arcane, often nonsensical
regulatons according to the whims of non-accountable bureaucrats.

Actually, FAA bureaucrats must abide by the same regulations and
orders that govern airman activities.

But who has the enforcment power and what are the limits of the airman's
rights to appeal?

Additionally, their actions are
transparent through the use of Freedom Of Information Act requests,
and district personnel are accountable to regional personnel.

Justice under FAA rule is all a matter of understanding the FAA
organizational structure, regulations, orders, Advisory Circulars, and
politics involved.

Yes, in some cases a very persistent victim may expose FAA persecution
and malfeasance; it's been done. But it's still a case of "you might
beat the rap but you won't beat the ride." If an inspector decides to
get you, he can choose from the entire FAR's to make your life
miserable--or put you out of business.

And keep in mind at all times, that no bureaucrat
wants to have to do more (paper) work than necessary.

Bureacrats have to justify their existence.

If you do not treat such an organization as a danger to be avoided,
you are simply asking for trouble.

What experiences have you had that caused you to form such a cynical
opinion of the FAA?

I have had none, directly, as I avoid the FAA as I would the plague.
One of my friends has had a bad experience, though: he was grounded at
an airport away from home because an inspector said his airplane's tail
number was painted in an "insufficiently contrasting color." It was a
factory paint job. My stories of other FAA misbehaviors are third hand,
so I will not repeat them, although I trust the proximate sources. I'm
sure you are aware of some of the more notorious ones, yourself.

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM