I am a low-hour private pilot. I took off this afternoon carrying a passenger and did something dumb while departing the pattern. Tower called me and said “The next time you do abc, be sure you [maneuver] xyz.” I said roger, and thanks.
I have heard the stories of being directed to call a number or being met by someone on the ground at arrival. None of that happened. My passenger and I completed an hour-long sightseeing flight and then a normal landing and taxi back to parking.
If it matters, I rent the aircraft from the flight school where I earned my PPL. I have no indications that I got any kind of violation, but how long will it take to know I did NOT get one? Like how long before I can rest easier knowing I am wisened and embarrassed, but only wisened and embarrassed and not also somehow on the naughty list?
Thanks for your time and help.
@Fenella Lorch
If Tower was going to report you to the FSDO, they would have given you the “Brasher warning” ("[Aircraft identification] POSSIBLE PILOT DEVIATION, ADVISE YOU CONTACT [facility] AT [telephone number]"). Since they didn't, just remember next time to do xyz and not abc. IOW, “Go, and sin no more.”
But just in case, submit an ASRS report detailing what happened, what you did wrong, and what you now know you should have done – just in case.
@Ronald Levy thanks for your time and help. Since I'm new I lack experience in these things and probably overblow the severity of my error.
So, is it safe to say that since I didn't get a Brasher warning at the time, that I won't?
Like, is there some kind of after action review after the fact where like two days from now they review some kind of video or archival radar / transponder returns and realize “Hey! Two days ago she did this really goofy maneuver and Tower had to educate her… let's tell her now today she made a possible deviation!!”
Like I said, embarrassed and wisened for sure, and more than anything else eager to put this fully behind me and, as you say, eager to go and sin no more.
Again, thanks for your time and help for this newbie!!
@Fenella Lorch
Nah, they don't have time for that. But file the ASRS anyway.
@Ronald Levy neglected to mention in my earlier reply that I had already submitted. Thanks so much for your time!!
@Fenella Lorch
AOPA normally recommends that you keep proof of the NASA-ASRS filing for at least 6 months. That is the amount of time FAA has to open an investigation on an incident; after which, it would be considered a stale complaint per part 821 of the Transportation code, title 49 in the CFR's.