Inspired by recent events;
Aviation is largely a self policing activity. When and how should a pilot deal with another pilot who is doing something illeagal, unsafe, stupid, or inappropriate.
My opinion,
It's NEVER OK to call the FAA unless you are in a formal position of leadership (chief pilot, airport manager, head instructor, ect), the activity is willful and deliberate, and ALL other avenues have been exausted.
If you haven't ever worked in that segment of the industry, keep your mouth shut. I don't want a RJ pilot telling me about how to fly through weather in a Caravan. I promise not to tell Doug how to fly his jet across the ocean. I don't know jack about flying in Alaska, nor have I ever flown in an Ag plane, so I don't have any way to know if that is normal ops or a crazy idiot.
If it's a judgment call that you would have made differently then ASK why they went with he option they did. You will probably learn something. Regardless, each and every one of us draws the line somewhere different, and just because you don't like it doesn't mean that you are right.
If it's somebody you know, then just talk to them. 99% of the time they have a good reason for doing what they did, based on facts that you were not aware of that the time.
If you don't know the person, then find someone who does. Most people completely disregard the opinion of strangers. However, if they hear the same thing from someone they know it carries much more weight. If that person is "older and wiser", then even better.
If that approach is not working, then go up their chain of command, or use the formal methods like the FAA FAST team, or pro standards group from the union. Involve as few official steps as possible. The more informally things can be handled, the better.
If something is urgent or very dangerous, then be as forceful as you need to be. I'm not above slashing tires to keep a plane on the ground if my friend with a family is about to take off drunk.
What are your thoughts?
