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		bultaco956(at)yahoo.com Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:06 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				Dear fellow Yak listers:
   
  As an all too frequent lurker I can't help weighing in on the flying is a "privilege" vs. right discussion that comes up repeatedly from time to time and resurfaced again with the Pardue accident.
   
  It boils down to this:  the FAA and Administration (DOT, TSA, etc.) have long asserted that a flying and a pilot's license is a "privilege."  This use of the term in this manner by the FAA is, in my opinion, legally incorrect and plainly infensible.  A privilege is legally defined as a benefit or advantage enjoyed by a person beyond the common advantage of other citizens; such privileges are typically legally waivable by the owner or holder (attorney-client privilege, doctor-patient privilege, executive privilege, marital privilege, privilege against self incrimination; or more commonly, the "privileged" class).  Sometimes it is used in a more commmon manner to describe a right granted by others that is revocable at the will of the grantor (e.g., the privilege to pass across the lands of another).
   
  I'm not sure where the misuse of the term with regard to flying started but the FAA has asserted that flying is "privilege" as long as I have been a pilot, some 30 years.  
   
  There is no support for the FAA's position in the law.  A pilot certificate is a government issued "license," not a "privilege."
   
  The Supreme Court and the other U.S. Court have long and correctly recognized that a pilot's license is a protected property "right" that may not be infringed without due process of law.  It is well established in the law that individuals have a property interest in government issued licenses and permits.  See Illinois v. Batchelder, 463 US 1112, 1116 (1983)(driver's license); Mackey v. Montrym, 442 US 1, 10 n.7 (1979)(same); Tur v. FAA, 4 F.3d 766, 769 (9th Cir. 1993)(airman certificate); Pastrana v. United States, 746 F.2d 1447, 1450 (11th Cir. 1984).  The revocation or suspension of a pilot's license, or airman certrificate, implicates a consitutionally protected property interest and that interest may not be impaired in an arbitrary manner or without notice and hearing and upon substantial evidence.  The importance of the protected interest is enhanced when  one's vocation or advocation is involved (think commercial pilot license).
   
  I have had the past "privilege" of representing the United States (and the FAA) in federal courts as a U.S. Department of Justice HQ Aviation Branch attorney and continue to practice aviation law today in another institution.  I have been practicing and flying for over 25 years and have argued this issue a number of times, including not too long ago in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.  The federal judges don't even blink before treating pilot's licenses as a protected right and affording appropriate individual constitutional protections.  The FAA is usually represented in federal court by the Department of Justice.  You may hear FAA attorneys spout off outside of court about flying being a "privilege," but I do not recall ever hearing Department of Justice attorneys use that language, especially before Judges in federal court.  
   
  I tell the FAA attorneys that I deal with every chance I get (now that I am out of government) that they are flat wrong to describe flying as a "privilege."
   
  You can argue about whether the FAA enforcement process could be handled better, but when FAA enforcement cases are subject to federal court review (as every enforcement case can be if the pilot chooses to push it), the FAA is strictly held to due process standards.  I recently had an ATP revocation case thrown out by the U.S. Court of Appeals (for the 9th Circuit) for failure to follow due process.  Such a result is not that unusual.
   
  Flying is a constitutionally protected right (thanks to God and our founders) and in my view we will get more respect from federal officials, the public and the FAA if we start treating it as such.
   
  Hope this helps.
   
  Jay Wells, JD, LLM, CFI
  1983 CJ6A
   
  [PS - this is not a soliciatation.  I don't take private clients.  Disclaimer: Nor is it legal advice - your situaiton may differ.]
   
   
   
 
 
  [quote][b]
 
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		Jetj01(at)aol.com Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:15 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				Mr Wells,
 Well played!
 Jj
 
 Sent from my iPhone
 
 On Apr 11, 2012, at 4:03 PM, jay wells <bultaco956(at)yahoo.com (bultaco956(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:
 
 [quote]   Dear fellow Yak listers:
   
  As an all too frequent lurker I can't help weighing in on the flying is a "privilege" vs. right discussion that comes up repeatedly from time to time and resurfaced again with the Pardue accident.
   
  It boils down to this:  the FAA and Administration (DOT, TSA, etc.) have long asserted that a flying and a pilot's license is a "privilege."  This use of the term in this manner by the FAA is, in my opinion, legally incorrect and plainly infensible.  A privilege is legally defined as a benefit or advantage enjoyed by a person beyond the common advantage of other citizens; such privileges are typically legally waivable by the owner or holder (attorney-client privilege, doctor-patient privilege, executive privilege, marital privilege, privilege against self incrimination; or more commonly, the "privileged" class).  Sometimes it is used in a more commmon manner to describe a right granted by others that is revocable at the will of the grantor (e.g., the privilege to pass across the lands of another).
   
  I'm not sure where the misuse of the term with regard to flying started but the FAA has asserted that flying is "privilege" as long as I have been a pilot, some 30 years.  
   
  There is no support for the FAA's position in the law.  A pilot certificate is a government issued "license," not a "privilege."
   
  The Supreme Court and the other U.S. Court have long and correctly recognized that a pilot's license is a protected property "right" that may not be infringed without due process of law.  It is well established in the law that individuals have a property interest in government issued licenses and permits.  See Illinois v. Batchelder, 463 US 1112, 1116 (1983)(driver's license); Mackey v. Montrym, 442 US 1, 10 n.7 (1979)(same); Tur v. FAA, 4 F.3d 766, 769 (9th Cir. 1993)(airman certificate); Pastrana v. United States, 746 F.2d 1447, 1450 (11th Cir. 1984).  The revocation or suspension of a pilot's license, or airman certrificate, implicates a consitutionally protected property interest and that interest may not be impaired in an arbitrary manner or without notice and hearing and upon substantial evidence.  The importance of the protected interest is enhanced when  one's vocation or advocation is involved (think commercial pilot license).
   
  I have had the past "privilege" of representing the United States (and the FAA) in federal courts as a U.S. Department of Justice HQ Aviation Branch attorney and continue to practice aviation law today in another institution.  I have been practicing and flying for over 25 years and have argued this issue a number of times, including not too long ago in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.  The federal judges don't even blink before treating pilot's licenses as a protected right and affording appropriate individual constitutional protections.  The FAA is usually represented in federal court by the Department of Justice.  You may hear FAA attorneys spout off outside of court about flying being a "privilege," but I do not recall ever hearing Department of Justice attorneys use that language, especially before Judges in federal court.  
   
  I tell the FAA attorneys that I deal with every chance I get (now that I am out of government) that they are flat wrong to describe flying as a "privilege."
   
  You can argue about whether the FAA enforcement process could be handled better, but when FAA enforcement cases are subject to federal court review (as every enforcement case can be if the pilot chooses to push it), the FAA is strictly held to due process standards.  I recently had an ATP revocation case thrown out by the U.S. Court of Appeals (for the 9th Circuit) for failure to follow due process.  Such a result is not that unusual.
   
  Flying is a constitutionally protected right (thanks to God and our founders) and in my view we will get more respect from federal officials, the public and the FAA if we start treating it as such.
   
  Hope this helps.
   
  Jay Wells, JD, LLM, CFI
  1983 CJ6A
   
  [PS - this is not a soliciatation.  I don't take private clients.  Disclaimer: Nor is it legal advice - your situaiton may differ.]
   
   
   
 
 
  
 [b]
 
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		brian(at)lloyd.com Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:45 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 2:03 PM, jay wells <bultaco956(at)yahoo.com (bultaco956(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:
  	  | Quote: | 	 		      Flying is a constitutionally protected right (thanks to God and our founders) and in my view we will get more respect from federal officials, the public and the FAA if we start treating it as such.
  
  | 	  
 
 Thank you Jay. Clear, succinct, and well stated. 
 
 -- 
 Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL
 3191 Western Dr.
 Cameron Park, CA 95682
 brian(at)lloyd.com (brian(at)lloyd.com)
  +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica)
 +1.916.877.5067 (USA)
 
   [quote][b]
 
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		dsavarese0812(at)bellsout Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:17 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				VERY well written and very informative Jay.  Thank you for your posting.
 Dennis
 
 A. Dennis Savarese
 334-285-6263
 334-546-8182 (mobile)
 www.yak-52.com
 Skype - Yakguy1
 On 4/11/2012 4:03 PM, jay wells wrote:
  	  | Quote: | 	 		   Dear fellow Yak listers:
  As an all too frequent lurker I can't help weighing in on the flying 
  is a "privilege" vs. right discussion that comes up repeatedly from 
  time to time and resurfaced again with the Pardue accident.
  It boils down to this:  the FAA and Administration (DOT, TSA, etc.) 
  have long asserted that a flying and a pilot's license is a 
  "privilege."  This use of the term in this manner by the FAA is, in my 
  opinion, legally incorrect and plainly infensible.  A privilege is 
  legally defined as a benefit or advantage enjoyed by a person beyond 
  the common advantage of other citizens; such privileges are typically 
  legally waivable by the owner or holder (attorney-client privilege, 
  doctor-patient privilege, executive privilege, marital privilege, 
  privilege against self incrimination; or more commonly, the 
  "privileged" class).  Sometimes it is used in a more commmon manner to 
  describe a right granted by others that is revocable at the will of 
  the grantor (e.g., the privilege to pass across the lands of another).
  I'm not sure where the misuse of the term with regard to flying 
  started but the FAA has asserted that flying is "privilege" as long as 
  I have been a pilot, some 30 years.
  There is no support for the FAA's position in the law.  A pilot 
  certificate is a government issued "license," not a "privilege."
  The Supreme Court and the other U.S. Court have long and correctly 
  recognized that a pilot's license is a protected property "right" that 
  may not be infringed without due process of law.  It is well 
  established in the law that individuals have a property interest in 
  government issued licenses and permits.  See Illinois v. Batchelder, 
  463 US 1112, 1116 (1983)(driver's license); Mackey v. Montrym, 442 US 
  1, 10 n.7 (1979)(same); Tur v. FAA, 4 F.3d 766, 769 (9th Cir. 
  1993)(airman certificate); Pastrana v. United States, 746 F.2d 1447, 
  1450 (11th Cir. 1984).  The revocation or suspension of a pilot's 
  license, or airman certrificate, implicates a consitutionally 
  protected property interest and that interest may not be impaired in 
  an arbitrary manner or without notice and hearing and upon substantial 
  evidence.  The importance of the protected interest is enhanced when 
  one's vocation or advocation is involved (think commercial pilot license).
  I have had the past "privilege" of representing the United States (and 
  the FAA) in federal courts as a U.S. Department of Justice HQ Aviation 
  Branch attorney and continue to practice aviation law today in another 
  institution.  I have been practicing and flying for over 25 years and 
  have argued this issue a number of times, including not too long ago 
  in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.  The federal judges 
  don't even blink before treating pilot's licenses as a protected right 
  and affording appropriate individual constitutional protections.  The 
  FAA is usually represented in federal court by the Department of 
  Justice.  You may hear FAA attorneys spout off outside of court about 
  flying being a "privilege," but I do not recall ever hearing 
  Department of Justice attorneys use that language, especially before 
  Judges in federal court.
  I tell the FAA attorneys that I deal with every chance I get (now that 
  I am out of government) that they are flat wrong to describe flying as 
  a "privilege."
  You can argue about whether the FAA enforcement process could be 
  handled better, but when FAA enforcement cases are subject to federal 
  court review (as every enforcement case can be if the pilot chooses to 
  push it), the FAA is strictly held to due process standards.  I 
  recently had an ATP revocation case thrown out by the U.S. Court of 
  Appeals (for the 9th Circuit) for failure to follow due process.  Such 
  a result is not that unusual.
  Flying is a constitutionally protected right (thanks to God and our 
  founders) and in my view we will get more respect from federal 
  officials, the public and the FAA if we start treating it as such.
  Hope this helps.
  Jay Wells, JD, LLM, CFI
  1983 CJ6A
  [PS - this is not a soliciatation.  I don't take private clients.  
  Disclaimer: Nor is it legal advice - your situaiton may differ.]
  *
  *
 
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		dougsappllc(at)gmail.com Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:42 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				Geeze, a interesting, informative, timely post which is not angry or inflammatory, a very unique and most welcome post indeed.  
 
 Thanks Jay, well done!
 Doug Sapp
 
  On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 3:14 PM, A. Dennis Savarese <dsavarese0812(at)bellsouth.net (dsavarese0812(at)bellsouth.net)> wrote:
 [quote] --> Yak-List message posted by: "A. Dennis Savarese" <dsavarese0812(at)bellsouth.net (dsavarese0812(at)bellsouth.net)>
  
  VERY well written and very informative Jay.  Thank you for your posting.
  Dennis
  
  A. Dennis Savarese
  [url=tel:334-285-6263]334-285-6263[/url]
  [url=tel:334-546-8182]334-546-8182[/url] (mobile)
  www.yak-52.com
  Skype - Yakguy1
  
  
  On 4/11/2012 4:03 PM, jay wells wrote:
  
  	  | Quote: | 	 		   Dear fellow Yak listers:
  As an all too frequent lurker I can't help weighing in on the flying is a "privilege" vs. right discussion that comes up repeatedly from time to time and resurfaced again with the Pardue accident.
  It boils down to this:  the FAA and Administration (DOT, TSA, etc.) have long asserted that a flying and a pilot's license is a "privilege."  This use of the term in this manner by the FAA is, in my opinion, legally incorrect and plainly infensible.  A privilege is legally defined as a benefit or advantage enjoyed by a person beyond the common advantage of other citizens; such privileges are typically legally waivable by the owner or holder (attorney-client privilege, doctor-patient privilege, executive privilege, marital privilege, privilege against self incrimination; or more commonly, the "privileged" class).  Sometimes it is used in a more commmon manner to describe a right granted by others that is revocable at the will of the grantor (e.g., the privilege to pass across the lands of another).
   I'm not sure where the misuse of the term with regard to flying started but the FAA has asserted that flying is "privilege" as long as I have been a pilot, some 30 years.
  There is no support for the FAA's position in the law.  A pilot certificate is a government issued "license," not a "privilege."
  The Supreme Court and the other U.S. Court have long and correctly recognized that a pilot's license is a protected property "right" that may not be infringed without due process of law.  It is well established in the law that individuals have a property interest in government issued licenses and permits.  See Illinois v. Batchelder, 463 US 1112, 1116 (1983)(driver's license); Mackey v. Montrym, 442 US 1, 10 n.7 (1979)(same); Tur v. FAA, 4 F.3d 766, 769 (9th Cir. 1993)(airman certificate); Pastrana v. United States, 746 F.2d 1447, 1450 (11th Cir. 1984).  The revocation or suspension of a pilot's license, or airman certrificate, implicates a consitutionally protected property interest and that interest may not be impaired in an arbitrary manner or without notice and hearing and upon substantial evidence.  The importance of the protected interest is enhanced when one's vocation or advocation is involved (think commercial pilot license).
   I have had the past "privilege" of representing the United States (and the FAA) in federal courts as a U.S. Department of Justice HQ Aviation Branch attorney and continue to practice aviation law today in another institution.  I have been practicing and flying for over 25 years and have argued this issue a number of times, including not too long ago in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.  The federal judges don't even blink before treating pilot's licenses as a protected right and affording appropriate individual constitutional protections.  The FAA is usually represented in federal court by the Department of Justice.  You may hear FAA attorneys spout off outside of court about flying being a "privilege," but I do not recall ever hearing Department of Justice attorneys use that language, especially before Judges in federal court.
   I tell the FAA attorneys that I deal with every chance I get (now that I am out of government) that they are flat wrong to describe flying as a "privilege."
  You can argue about whether the FAA enforcement process could be handled better, but when FAA enforcement cases are subject to federal court review (as every enforcement case can be if the pilot chooses to push it), the FAA is strictly held to due process standards.  I recently had an ATP revocation case thrown out by the U.S. Court of Appeals (for the 9th Circuit) for failure to follow due process.  Such a result is not that unusual.
  
  Flying is a constitutionally protected right (thanks to God and our founders) and in my view we will get more respect from federal officials, the public and the FAA if we start treating it as such.
 
   Hope this helps.
  Jay Wells, JD, LLM, CFI
  1983 CJ6A
  [PS - this is not a soliciatation.  I don't take private clients.  Disclaimer: Nor is it legal advice - your situaiton may differ.]
 
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 [b]
 
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		crobin(at)skyvantage.com Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:10 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				RE: Jay Wells..
 
 THAT is fresh air my friends!
 fly RedStar
 Cory.
   [quote][b]
 
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		cjpilot710(at)aol.com Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:32 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				So my license is better than a privilege - - - its a right?  Yep.  Thank our Founding Fathers for that. 
  Jim "Pappy" Goolsby (shit 57 years as a pilot, and I still haven't figured  out the regs) :-]
   
   In a message dated 4/11/2012 7:10:50 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  crobin(at)skyvantage.com writes:
   	  | Quote: | 	 		  RE: Jay    Wells..    
 
    THAT is fresh air my friends!
    
 
    fly RedStar
    
 
    Cory.
  | 	  
  [quote][b]
 
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		mark.bitterlich(at)navy.m Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:44 pm    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				Concur.  
  
 "Fly your own airplane".  
  
 Mark
  
 
 ________________________________
 
 From: owner-yak-list-server(at)matronics.com on behalf of cjpilot710(at)aol.com
 Sent: Wed 4/11/2012 7:29 PM
 To: yak-list(at)matronics.com
 Subject: Re: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right?
 So my license is better than a privilege - - - its a right?  Yep. Thank our Founding Fathers for that. 
 Jim "Pappy" Goolsby (shit 57 years as a pilot, and I still haven't figured out the regs) :-]
  
 In a message dated 4/11/2012 7:10:50 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, crobin(at)skyvantage.com writes:
 
 	RE: Jay Wells.. 
 
 	THAT is fresh air my friends!
 
 	fly RedStar
 
 	Cory.
 	
 	
 	="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List
 	s.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com
 	p://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
 
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		billaustin(at)blomand.net Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:29 am    Post subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right? | 
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				Thanks Jay.  
  
 From: jay wells [mailto:bultaco956(at)yahoo.com] 
 Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 4:03 PM
 To: yak-list(at)matronics.com
 Subject: Pardue/Breckenridge - Flying is a right, . . .. right?
  
 Dear fellow Yak listers:
 
  
 
 As an all too frequent lurker I can't help weighing in on the flying is a "privilege" vs. right discussion that comes up repeatedly from time to time and resurfaced again with the Pardue accident.
 
  
 
 It boils down to this:  the FAA and Administration (DOT, TSA, etc.) have long asserted that a flying and a pilot's license is a "privilege."  This use of the term in this manner by the FAA is, in my opinion, legally incorrect and plainly infensible.  A privilege is legally defined as a benefit or advantage enjoyed by a person beyond the common advantage of other citizens; such privileges are typically legally waivable by the owner or holder (attorney-client privilege, doctor-patient privilege, executive privilege, marital privilege, privilege against self incrimination; or more commonly, the "privileged" class).  Sometimes it is used in a more commmon manner to describe a right granted by others that is revocable at the will of the grantor (e.g., the privilege to pass across the lands of another).
 
  
 
 I'm not sure where the misuse of the term with regard to flying started but the FAA has asserted that flying is "privilege" as long as I have been a pilot, some 30 years.  
 
  
 
 There is no support for the FAA's position in the law.  A pilot certificate is a government issued "license," not a "privilege."
 
  
 
 The Supreme Court and the other U.S. Court have long and correctly recognized that a pilot's license is a protected property "right" that may not be infringed without due process of law.  It is well established in the law that individuals have a property interest in government issued licenses and permits.  See Illinois v. Batchelder, 463 US 1112, 1116 (1983)(driver's license); Mackey v. Montrym, 442 US 1, 10 n.7 (1979)(same); Tur v. FAA, 4 F.3d 766, 769 (9th Cir. 1993)(airman certificate); Pastrana v. United States, 746 F.2d 1447, 1450 (11th Cir. 1984).  The revocation or suspension of a pilot's license, or airman certrificate, implicates a consitutionally protected property interest and that interest may not be impaired in an arbitrary manner or without notice and hearing and upon substantial evidence.  The importance of the protected interest is enhanced when one's vocation or advocation is involved (think commercial pilot license).
 
  
 
 I have had the past "privilege" of representing the United States (and the FAA) in federal courts as a U.S. Department of Justice HQ Aviation Branch attorney and continue to practice aviation law today in another institution.  I have been practicing and flying for over 25 years and have argued this issue a number of times, including not too long ago in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.  The federal judges don't even blink before treating pilot's licenses as a protected right and affording appropriate individual constitutional protections.  The FAA is usually represented in federal court by the Department of Justice.  You may hear FAA attorneys spout off outside of court about flying being a "privilege," but I do not recall ever hearing Department of Justice attorneys use that language, especially before Judges in federal court.  
 
  
 
 I tell the FAA attorneys that I deal with every chance I get (now that I am out of government) that they are flat wrong to describe flying as a "privilege."
 
  
 
 You can argue about whether the FAA enforcement process could be handled better, but when FAA enforcement cases are subject to federal court review (as every enforcement case can be if the pilot chooses to push it), the FAA is strictly held to due process standards.  I recently had an ATP revocation case thrown out by the U.S. Court of Appeals (for the 9th Circuit) for failure to follow due process.  Such a result is not that unusual.
 
  
 
 Flying is a constitutionally protected right (thanks to God and our founders) and in my view we will get more respect from federal officials, the public and the FAA if we start treating it as such.
 
  
 
 Hope this helps.
 
  
 
 Jay Wells, JD, LLM, CFI
 
 1983 CJ6A
 
  
 
 [PS - this is not a soliciatation.  I don't take private clients.  Disclaimer: Nor is it legal advice - your situaiton may differ.]
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
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