Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 700; Flight Crew Type 45
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
Engine oil pressure maxed out during flight. Requested ATC to direct me to nearest airport. ATC sent me to ZZZ1. I landed safely. In light of this event; I believe the FAA should not exempt club aircraft from the same maintenance schedules required by training/school aircraft. A law should be implemented that aircraft for rent; for example; through a club; should require the exact same maintenance requirements as training/school aircraft. In talking with the owner of the plane; owner and his son both knew there was an engine oil pressure [gauge] issue; but allowed me to rent his plane and fly it. I noticed [gauge] was slightly high during run-up. The needle went full deflection after reaching cruise. I believe this situation could have been avoided if the [club] came down harder on aircraft owners to maintain their planes. It should be mandated to impose stricter maintenance schedules on club planes for rent. The airplane owners in the club have very little incentive to spend the money to keep the planes properly maintained; beyond the annual inspections. Pilots suffer due to owner thriftiness.
Single pilot reported that engine oil pressure exceeded operating limits resulting in a divert and successful precautionary landing.