Category Archives: aircraft insurance
NEWLY RESTORED BOEING B-29 DOC COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 AS PART OF INAUGURAL TOUR
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?
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…