If the FAA has a
history of decisions and actions that are fair, balanced, not abusive,
and with full concern for the rights of the accused, then they have
earned our respect and tentative trust.

The reality is a bit different. We all have anecdotal stories of the
FAA being abusive.

A friend of mine was cited for flying an unairworthy airplane when he
showed up for a CFI initial checkride. The airworthiness items were a
placard that was curled up in one corner and a TSO tag on the seatbelt
that was supposedly illegible (I could read it fine). The plane had
been gone over with a fine tooth comb in preparation for the checkride,
but when a fed wants to get you, he will get you.

However, why mess with anecdotes when we have official findings from
the DOT inspector general? Check it out for yourself.

http://www.avweb.com/pdf/brinell_report.pdf

Michael