CFI's or professional pilots post your opinions please...

I am a CFI at a small part 61 flight school, aside from our school there are a couple of self employed flight instructors who operate on the field. Last month a student and aircraft owner quit flight his training.

This student was under the guidance of one of the free lance instructor's on the field. This instructor expressed to me that it was probably a wise choice as he was having difficulty understanding the material, his study habbits were weak, and he seemed to have an "anti-authority" complex.

Recently, especially early in the day or late in the after noon i have noticed this ex-student drive out to his airplane with a friend or family member and depart the airport with this person on board. As you are aware, student pilots no matter how experienced are not allowed the privilage of carrying passengers.

His actions are in complete disregard for not only the safety of his passengers but for the pilots in the area as well. I feel that the Federal Aviation Regulations exists as a means of protection to those who dont know any better, and it is our duty and obligation as pilots to respect and obey the regulations.

The airport is a small town strip, and needless to say the place would probably be placed under tight supervision by the FAA should a report be filed, however It is my intent to report this students actions to the Feds.

Being a small airport... do you folks feel like a case of "Small airport syndrome" should be reported?
I want to have multiple points of view for this situation before i personally call any three letter agencies! (i guess i just need to hear other opinions since nobody else at my airport seems to have an opinion or care in the world about this situation.)

Thanks

To right Hagar, you can't put a price on safety!!!
Its one thing to risk your own life, its v.much another when its other peoples

Ozzy

Doug, I think your first instinct was right.  If the guy was that lax in his studies under one instructor, it's not likely he would be any different under another.  I think the way to go would be to report it to the FBO or the tower and let them handle it.  If it doesn't solve the problem, THEN file a report.  It may be the ex-military in me, but I do believe in following the chain of command in situations like this.  I do think that no matter what, having seen this, you have an obligation to report it.  If he does have a legitimate licsense, the property authorities only need to see it and the matter will be solved.

BTW, I am neither a CFI or pilot...

well i have decided what i should do after hearing your thoughts and gathering my own... I hate to put anyone at risk of losing their airplane or steep FAA fines, im just to nice i guess

***but i would hate worse for this person to kill one of my solo students, my friends or me!

I have a friend who is a pilot examiner in another town, i will call him and see if a spur-the-moment ramp check would be in order.

Thanks for your replies!

this is one of those cases where being nice isnt an option peoples lives could be at risk. Its better to be safe than sorry, and if it annoys him so be it, if he has the legal documents then it wont be a problem, a simple showing of them will end it there and then. If he doesnt then he's breaking the law and he deserves to be taken out of the air.