My Father (an airline pilot) was once riding in the jump seat on a 727 years ago departing out of Miami. 

 

ATC put them on a course directly for a big nasty looking thunderstorm.  One of the pilots requested a deviation and got a “standby” response.  Time went by, with no deviation from ATC.  As they got closer and closer, my Father suggested they tell ATC they were going to make a turn now and that ATC had one last chance to influence the direction -- right or left.  I guess I won’t be so afraid to declare an emergency.  I should also probably pay attention to equipment that can document what I see for future (and likely) defense purposes.

 

I was talking with a gentleman yesterday about kit building, FAA scrutiny and the like and he said that it seems that the FAA is trying to enforce rules without regard to circumstance, just blanket enforcement.  With requiring controllers to tattle on pilots to reversing direction on kit building enforcement, I hope this is only a small temper-tantrum designed to garner attention, and that it will pass and things go back to normal again….

 

Kevin