You'll often find me making comments regarding aircraft log books and some goofy entries.  I seem to have a knack for finding issues.  However, I recently had a check ride where the log books looked good but the airplane itself had issues.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately depending on how you look at it),  the FAA was there and they got to looking at the airplane and they grounded it.

The problems where easy to spot and presented a clear hazard.  The FAA Inspector had a few words with the applicant and CFI who flew the airplane in and ended it with that.  (Lucky!!!).  A few phone calls where made and a Special Flight Permit was issued so the airplane could be flown back for repairs.  The check ride will have to be rescheduled.

After looking at the airplane myself, I wouldn't have flown it.  The instructor said he did squawk some of the items but he was basically brushed off my maintenance personnel. 

My advice.  If you think there is a maintenance issue that is being blown off, document it in the aircraft log books.  This way an A&P must address it.  For example:  "Pilot seat back will not stay secure in the upright position" or "Dent in tail rotor blade". 

I will tell you that this will tick off the owner/operator & mechanic of the airplane but if you think its a safety issue do it.  Remember the buck stop at you and don't fly the airplane until you are satisfied its safe to do so!  Here's the reg:

§ 91.7 Civil aircraft airworthiness.
(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition.

(b) The pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The pilot in command shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur.

Notice that the reg says "The PIC is responsible for determining whether the aircraft is in condition for safe flight".

That be you!

Fly Safe!

14 CFR Part 61, Subpart C, prescribes the requirements for the issuance of student pilot certificates. (14 CFR Part 61.83) lists the general eligibility requirements, and §61.85 details the application process for individuals seeking a Student Pilot Certificate.
Beginning April 1, 2016, §61.85 becomes obsolete. Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) and Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) will no longer be authorized to issue student pilot certificates. Per FAA Advisory Circular 61-65F, the Student Pilot Certificate Applicant must now make application to either an FAA ASI or AST, 141 Flight School Airman Certification Representative (ACR), a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), or a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). All student pilot certificates will now be issued, without an expiration date, by the Civil Aviation Registry, AFS-760, on a high quality plastic card stock containing tamper-and counterfeit-resistant features, once the TSA has completed their applicant background check.
A Temporary Airman Certificate will not be issued for use while waiting for the permanent certificate to be received. The permanent certificate from AFS-760 must be in the Student Pilot’s possession to exercise solo privileges.
FAA ASI’s and AST’s, ACR’s, CFI’s, or DPE’s may accept a person’s application for an FAA Student Pilot Certificate by using either IACRA or the paper FAA Form 8710-1.
*Important to note is that when a DPE, ACR, ASI, or AST is processing an application for a Student Pilot Certificate, the authorized individual must select the role of “Recommending Instructor.”
In order for an authorized individual to accept a student pilot application using IACRA, the authorized individual must be registered in IACRA as the role of “Recommending Instructor.”
In accordance with § 61.193(b), before processing an application for a Student Pilot Certificate, the authorized individual must ensure the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of § 61.83, as well as verify the applicant’s identity.
If the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements of § 61.83, do not check the accepted box. Check the rejected Student Pilot application box and continue processing the application.
When using a traditional (paper) FAA Form 8710-1 , if it is determined the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements of § 61.83, the authorized individual will check the “Reject Student Pilot Certificate Application” box in the appropriate section on the last page. The
authorized individual will also check the box in the FAA AELP statement at the bottom of the last page on the application, “Does Not Meet FAA Aviation English Language Proficiency.” After verifying the application is complete, the ACR, CFI, or DPE will forward this application to the jurisdictional FSDO for data entry and processing - even if the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements.
Once it is verified the applicant does meet the eligibility requirements of § 61.83, the authorized individual will check the “Accepted Student Pilot Certificate Application” box in the appropriate section. The authorized individual will also select the “Meets FAA Aviation English Language Proficiency” box in the FAA AELP statement at the bottom of the last page of the application. The authorized individual will then send the completed student pilot application to their jurisdictional FSDO for data entry if using a paper FAA Form 8710-1.
Designee Standardization Team, AFS-640