Category Archives: aircraft insurance

NEWLY RESTORED BOEING B-29 DOC COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 AS PART OF INAUGURAL TOUR

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World’s only two flying B-29s set to meet at Oshkosh
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 24, 2017) — A newly restored B-29 has included EAA AirVenture Oshkosh2017 on its inaugural tour schedule, creating the potential to have two of these World War II-era bombers in one place for the first time in more than 50 years.
The B-29 Doc, which has just completed its restoration in Wichita, Kansas, will be on tour this spring and summer. Its appearance at EAA AirVenture on July 24-30, fulfills a long commitment to bring the airplane to the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration when its restoration was complete.
Doc was built in 1945 and for many years was part of a squadron known as the Seven Dwarfs (hence, the name Doc). The airplane was retired in 1956 as the jet bomber age began and sat as a target for U.S. Navy training missions in China Lake, California, until 1998. A restoration group took possession of the airplane from the U.S. government and hauled it back to Wichita in pieces in 2000. After many years of volunteer restoration efforts, the restoration group Doc’s Friends formed in 2013 to supply the financial resources needed to complete the restoration. Docmade its first flight after restoration in July 2016, 60 years after it had been retired.
“This will be a historic year for our airplane and to say we’re excited about our plans to tour in 2017 is an understatement,” said Jim Murphy, manager for the Doc’s Friends Restoration Program.
It also sets the stage for a historic meeting of the world’s only two flying B-29 bombers, as the Commemorative Air Force’s FIFIis scheduled to return to Oshkosh in 2017. If this reunion occurs, it would mark the first time two operational B-29 bombers would be in one place in more than 50 years.
“We’ve been eagerly awaiting the completion of Doc for several years, and its restoration group has always maintained that one of the airplane’s first appearances would be at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This will be a huge moment for EAA members and aviation enthusiasts to potentially see the world’s only two flying B-29s in one place for the first time.”
The appearance of Doc keeps with the tradition of bringing new and significant warbird aircraft restorations to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The annual EAA fly-in convention is the world’s largest annual gathering of warbird aircraft, with more than 350 of them annually flown to Wittman Regional Airport to participate in the event.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA. 

Murphy Moose or Cessna 185?

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Question. 
I’m considering either building a Murphy Moose, or buying a Cessna 185.  I want it for flying in canoes and kayaks to remote locations in North America (last trip was canoeing near the Arctic Ocean).  I’m not yet even a private pilot (but will be by summer).  I want a budget planning estimate of what the operating cost of either of these aircraft are going to cost me, equipped with amphibious floats, for a qualified pilot with low hours.  Can you do that?










Answer. 
Sort of.  I consider the Murphy Moose and the Cessna 185 to be pretty close in operational costs as far as fuel burn, maintenance etc.  A lot will depend on the engine used in the Moose.  Another big difference will be that you will build the Moose and you can do the maintenance if you have the repairman certificate.  The Cessna 185 will need a shop and mechanic to do the repairs.  But the savings you get in maintenance for the Moose will probably be made up in the insurance premiums.  Since it is an experimental aircraft and since it will be on amphibious floats, insurance will be almost impossible or at least very, very expensive.  Not to say the insurance for a low time pilot in a Cessna 185 will be that much lower, it will still be expensive. 
I’d look into calculating the average cost to operate a Cessna 185 or maybe even a 206. Contact me for a free sample cost of ownership Excel spread sheet. 
I’d also contact a few owners and see what they are saying.  I have been told that the Cessna 185 costs about $130 an hour to operate, not counting the floats.  It would be worth your while to do a little research before you make a decision. 
It will also be necessary for you to build up a number of hours as a pilot AND as a seaplane pilot.  The chances for a low time pilot (under 500 total time and 100 seaplane hours) of getting any insurance will be very low. 
That might also make the difference in which aircraft you get.  If you build (or build) the aircraft without having to borrow money, insurance might not be required.

On a side note: Murphy Aircraft feels the Moose is probably closer in operation to a Dehaviland Beaver.   Okay, I have to say, that’s a selling point for the Moose right there. Who hasn’t wanted a Dehaviland Beaver?  I may be a Cessna fan but a round engine aircraft on Amphibs…

SUN ‘n FUN Evaluates Safety Protocol before Annual Fly-In

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SUN ‘n FUN Evaluates Safety Protocol before Annual Fly-In
(March 9, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Thursday morning brought Lakeland’s finest to the SUN n FUN Expo Campus for their annual Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan meeting ahead of the 43rdannual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held April 4-9, 2017.
Representatives from all of Polk County’s emergency response teams attended the meeting, which included an hour long mock drill. Jeff Wharton of the Lakeland Fire Department and Rick Savage, representing Life Net 5, led the course and drill. All SUN ‘n FUN staff members were required to attend the meeting and drill, and the 30-plus participants followed a carefully prepared procedure that has been developed in case of emergency during the fly-in.
The drill included a site-wide power outage and simultaneously a patron who was involved in a hit and run. The drill included Life Net 5 landing a helicopter on the campus to retrieve an injured spectator, Lakeland Fire Department fire trucks, and Lakeland Police Officers responding to the emergency in real time.
SUN ‘n FUN has always been dedicated to the safety of every person who enters of their campus and strives to improve safety regulations every year. John “Lites” Leenhouts, President and CEO of SUN ‘n FUN, knows how important safety protocols are and makes sure his staff is prepared for any emergency on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.
“Safety doesn’t happen by accident,” Leenhouts stated. “It’s the result of trained professionals acting with good judgement and procedures that govern good operations in the air and on the ground. Professionals don’t make mistakes.”
The staff working during the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo utilizes many different techniques to reach the public in the event of an emergency. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for text message alerts, which will alert them to an emergency on the campus. They can also utilize social media to see updates on events in the area. New to the event this year, the campus will have jumbotrons on the airfield to prepare fans for weather alerts and emergency situations. The event will also include a siren on the campus for the first time. The siren will blare when there is a severe weather alert, warning people to move to an inside location on the campus.
Jeff Wharton believes drills are a great way to prepare for an emergency.
“Safety is the main goal for SUN ‘n FUN” Wharton said. “We want everyone to have a good time, but be aware of their surroundings. There are things during the fly-in that are not normal to an everyday theme park like airplanes, golf carts, four wheelers, etc.”
The SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo is prepared for an action-packed show, which will include performances by the US Navy Blue Angels and the world’s largest gathering of P-51 Mustangs in close to a decade. Air show and workshop schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found on the SUN ‘n FUN website at flysnf.org. As always, safety will be a top priority.
For more information on SUN ‘n FUN safety, please contact our office at 863-644-2431.
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SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities, and used to support on-going scholarship funding
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Visit us online for a year full of events 
& mark your calendar for the 43rd Annual
SUN ’n FUN International Fly-In & Expo

April 4-9 | 2017