Category Archives: aircraft insurance

Beech Skipper?

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What do you think of the Beech Skipper?

Beech Skipper

From a reader – “I am not a pilot yet. Not even a student pilot. I want to start flying lessons sometime later this year.  I am thinking about buying a plane and then receive instructions in it.  After some research, I am inclined towards buying a Beech Skipper.  The plane was only produced from 1979 -1981. What do you think of the Skipper?”

Buying is good.

Well to start, buying an aircraft to learn in, is a great way to go… if you know you like the aircraft before you buy it. The Beech Skipper is a nice trainer, and a comfortable run around aircraft.  While it might not be a great cross-country traveler, it can be used for that if you have the time.  It look’s like only about 350 of the aircraft were built, so production and finding a good one might be an issue.

Fly more than one.

First, I would make sure you fly in a number of different aircraft before you settle on the Skipper.  Many new pilots buy an aircraft and after the first few hours realize they really would rather have a different model.  I would start my lessons and get hours in a few of the different aircraft available.  Cessna, Piper, Beech and many others all have advantages or disadvantages.

Insurance?

From the insurance angle, buying your own aircraft and buying insurance is not a problem if you stay away from complicated (complex), high performance or very expensive aircraft.  The underwriters do not want to put student pilots in aircraft that will increase their chances for claims.

Typically, insurance rates will be about the same for the similar models of trainers.  I would guesstimate that a zero hour, student pilot could insure a trainer for under $1,200.  That number is based on a $20,000 hull value, two seats, fixed, tri-gear, and all metal trainer.  A Cessna 150 would probably be a little less than the Skipper, mainly because of the numbers of aircraft that the underwriters have experience with.

Premium Increases

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Premium Increases, still?

If you have been following the aviation insurance market (or received your recent aircraft insurance renewal) you probably noticed premium increases. We have been telling people 30 to 300 percent. That might sound steep, but we have seen some very big increases.

But don’t take it personal. It is an “across the board” increase.  Even the Cessna 172’s and Cherokees are going up, just not as much as the experimental or retractable gear aircraft.

Premium Increases

Reasons? I have heard everything from, repair parts availability, losses, hurricanes, fires, tornados, Boeing, age of pilots, the cost of automation, reinsurance and more.  The list can go on depending on who you talk to.  But the result is the same: premiums are going up; limits are going down and underwriting is becoming more stringent.

We have seen a large number of companies decline to quote new business based on; pilot age over 69 years, type of aircraft, age of the aircraft and more. Plus, there is one company out there that has been cancelling policies they don’t want anymore.  Many are old pilots in higher performance aircraft which is putting those people in a spot. Now they are at an age and in an aircraft that the other companies will not quote.

It seems bad, but I have seen rates like this before. I’ve been in the business long enough to see the ups and downs in rates.  There was a time when most companies had minimum premiums over $1,000.  And yes rates are up, but today you can still get liability only for some aircraft for around $300.

Anyway, rates are still going up. But compared to most automotive policies the rates are low. If you compare the hull values (and they are agreed values not actual cost settlements) and the limit of liability (usually a $1 million limit) aviation is very competitive to automotive.

What can you do? Keep flying. Hours help. Fly a simple, fixed, tri-gear certified aircraft. They still have the best rates. If not expect to pay more.  You can always lower the hull value, change to ground not in motion or eliminate the hull coverage all together and have liability only. There are a few options to discuss. Don’t let you current insurance expire, especially if you are over 69 years old or have an unusual or old complex aircraft. Once you expire, you become “new business” and they do not have to take you back.

And you can not compare your rates to anyone else. Depending when your friend bought their insurance, even with the increases they might pay less than you. And they would have to be identical to you with the same location, same age, same hours, same ratings etc…

One good thing is aviation underwriting does not use credit ratings to calculate rates like auto and homeowners. And they don’t check motor vehicle driver reports and use that as a factor in aviation insurance.  At least not yet.

EAA SKILLSCORE 2.0

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EAA SKILLSCORE 2.0 PILOT PROFICIENCY TRACKER OFFERS MORE TOOLS TO ENHANCE FLYING SKILLS

More detailed information immediately available to pilots

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 30, 2020) — The newly enhanced 2.0 version of the SkillScore Tracker from the Experimental Aircraft Association has expanded technology that makes more detailed information available so pilots can gauge their flying proficiency and take steps to enhance their skills.

The EAA SkillScore Tracker was introduced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 as the first resource that allows pilots to measure flying proficiency on an EAA web portal or their mobile devices. Using data generated by the CloudAhoy mobile app, pilots can track flying consistency and stability. Using this data, the EAA SkillScore Tracker will generate a comprehensive, personalized and confidential SkillScore, confirming a pilot’s overall strengths or need for additional work. This resource is available to all EAA members.

“The success of the SkillScore Tracker over its first year allowed EAA and CloudAhoy to further develop and evolve the technology to provide even more valuable information for pilots,” said Radek Wyrzykowski, EAA’s manager of flight proficiency. “The goal with this enhanced information is building proficiency and safety for all aviators by suggesting areas of improvement.”

Instead of a single overall score that measures pilot proficiency, SkillScore 2.0 has individual results for specific skill and areas of activity that include:

  • Quality of flight (encompassing such factors as stability of landing approach, maintaining altitude in straight-and-level flight and turns, and quality of FAA-standard maneuvers such as steep turns)
  • Number of takeoffs and landings within the last 90 days
  • Number of flights with a flight instructor
  • Time spent in the air

“Tracking and measuring in an organized manner means that every flight is an even better opportunity for pilots to improve their skills,” Wyrzykowski said. “When coupled with CloudAhoy’s standard app, EAA SkillScore Tracker is the best way to track your progress, without the time and expense of unnecessary effort, so you can continually build your abilities with every flight.”

While the EAA SkillScore Tracker is free to all EAA members, CloudAhoy also offers more in-depth and detailed analysis for premium account holders.

More information about the EAA SkillScore Tracker is available at EAA.org/Proficiency. It is part of EAA Proficiency365TM, where pilots can develop and refine skills that make them a better, safer pilot. EAA Proficiency365TM also features IMC Clubs and VMC Clubs for local flying groups, EAA Virtual Flight Academy, flight planning tool marketplace, and information about the Pilot Proficiency Center pavilion featured each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh including in a virtual way in 2020 during EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Week.