Category Archives: aircraft insurance

Warbirds in Review during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

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Heroes and historic military aircraft have their stories shared at Warbirds in Review during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 22, 2025) — Warbirds in Review, an unparalleled presentation series during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that brings together historic airplanes with pilots and aircraft owners, returns in 2025 with guests that encompass 80 years of aviation and military history. The 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The twice-daily series of “up close and personal” stories will be held July 21-26 at the Warbirds in Review aircraft ramp, located within the EAA Warbirds of America area on the AirVenture grounds. The series is open to all attending AirVenture.

“Warbirds in Review features veterans, aviation legends, and aircraft that simply cannot be seen together in one place anywhere else in the world,” said Connie Bowlin, past president of the EAA Warbirds of America, who organizes the series. “Many of these veterans maintain that they were just doing their jobs and nothing heroic or extraordinary, but that could not be further from the truth. Their stories and unique perspectives on the aircraft showcased at Oshkosh are insightful, poignant, and important for the public to hear.”

The aircraft and personalities scheduled as of May 22, 2025 (subject to change without notice):

Monday, July 21

  • 10 a.m. – North American B-25 “Panchito” – Larry Kelley and family members of the late Doolittle Raiders Richard Cole, David Thatcher, and Robert Hite
  • 1 p.m. – Cessna L-19 Bird Dog – POW Col. (Ret.) Bill Reeder; and Col. (Ret.) Charlie Finch, Catkiller 19; plus Gerry Asher (Fort Worth Aviation Museum); and John Carlton

Tuesday, July 22

  • 10 a.m.- North American P-51 Mustang Air Racers (Thunderbird, Bardahl Special, and Plum Crazy) – Justin Zabel, Warren Pietsch, Vicky Benzing, Clay Lacy, and Steve Hinton Jr.
  • 1 p.m.- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – Butch Schroeder, Craig Davidson, and David Burroughs.

Wednesday, July 23

  • 10 a.m. – Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe and North American P-51 Mustang – Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph Peterburs (who shot down an Me 262 in combat during World War II); plus Mike Spalding and Keegan Chetwynd, Military Aviation Museum
  • 1 p.m. – Republic P-47 Razorback Bonnie and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt – Bernie Vasquez and Maj. Nick “Rock” Sand

Thursday, July 24

  • 10 a.m. – Lockheed P-38 Lightning Jandina III – Jason Muszala and Robert “Robbie” Robbins
  • 1 p.m. – Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat, F6F Hellcat, F4F-3 Wildcat, and F8F-2 Bearcat – Rod Lewis and Steve Hinton Sr.

Friday, July 25

  • 10 a.m. – Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver – Ron Fagen, Evan Fagen, and Ray Fowler
  • 12:30 p.m. – 75th anniversary of the Korean War with Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, and Douglas A26 Invader – Jim Tobul, Kevin Sinibaldi (Military Aviation Museum), and Roger Woolsey
  • 1:30 p.m. – Parade – Veterans Tribute

Saturday, July 26

  • 10 a.m. – Beech QU-22B – David Valaer

Cessna 182, good for low time pilot?

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Cessna 182, good for low time pilot?

cessna 182

Recently I had a call asking “should a low time pilot buy a Cessna 182”?  The caller was concerned because they only had 75 hours total time and all of that was in a Cessna 172. On top of that, they had a chance to buy a Cessna 182 that has very low time and is a clean airplane, should they be concerned about their low total time when moving up to a 182?

My quick thoughts. The Cessna 182 is a great aircraft. It offers an excellent platform for instrument (IFR) training, is a respectable cross country aircraft and is reasonably cost effective to operate. As a private pilot, your first year will be a little more expensive to insure because of your low hours, but that’s about it.  Yes, it does cost slightly more to maintain than a Cessna 172, but the difference is slight, mainly in the fuel burn and engine costs.  The Continental six-cylinder, 470 engine (or the Lycoming 540 in the new models) are very reliable engines.  Parts are in supply, aftermarket items and service is available almost anywhere you can fly to.

About the only thing that seems to bother the 182 are the fuel bladders in the pre-1979 aircraft and the nose gear impacts that low time pilots inflict during training. The 182 gets quite a few hard landings on the nose, typically when they are full of fuel and lightly loaded with passengers and baggage.  A pilot tends to run out of elevator in the flare a little higher than they should and drop them on the nose.  Nothing that cannot be corrected with a good dose of training at different loads.

As with any other aircraft, a good pre-buy inspection for damage history, corrosion and maintenance should be done before the purchase.  Also line up an instructor that has a fair amount of time in the Cessna 182 and they can show you how well the aircraft can really perform. Oh, and if you are used to the Cessna 172, the 182 will just require more arm muscles in the flare.  The heavy control pressure will be notable for the first few hours, after that, it’s a typical Cessna!