Category Archives: aircraft sales

SUN ‘n FUN Planning 2015 annual event

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Presented by Visit Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, the 41st Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo will be held April 21-26, 2015 in Lakeland, Florida.  An anticipated crowd of 200,000 people during the event will include more than 500 credentialed media, 500 exhibitors and guests from 80 different countries. 
An International Jet Team, U.S. Military Jet Team and Warbirds will keep attendees entertained and educated.  CEO & President John R. “Lites” Leenhouts is directing staff and volunteers to design this event as one that offers exciting ‘finds’ on the grounds and in the air that have been suggested by the aviation community.  Themes used each day will combine Florida Day, World Aerobatics, Education, International Hospitality, Warbirds, Formations, Aviation Potpourri, Military, Florida Resident Day and more.  “Dinner with Legends” (a fund-raising event for year-round education programs and scholarships), will feature big names from the sporting community who are also pilots.  Lectures, workshops, continuing education credits for teachers, international food vendors, youth activities, and rides on aircraft like the Ford Tri-Motor round out the week for all attendees.
In 2015, there will be a mid-week twilight illuminated aviation airshow as well as a Saturday spectacular include fireworks.  The 40th anniversary for Air America will be celebrated in the Veterans Plaza.   Celebrating “A Brighter Future through Aviation”, there will be an unveiling of a new “Piedmont Education Experience” as the only fully-functional aircraft classroom on a high school campus in the world.  The Boeing 727 will also have a Bernie Little Memorial community meeting space.
For further information about how to become involved at SUN ‘n FUN as a volunteer, sponsor, partner, exhibitor, vendor or advertiser, visit www.sun-n-fun.org or call 863-644-2431.
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Aviation education experiences are offered year-round for students of all ages on the SUN ‘n FUN Convention Campus.  Proceeds from any event at SUN ‘n FUN, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, are returned to STEM-based education programs and activities.  Take time to visit Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum with your family.  

Hamilton Takeoff Watch.

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Need a new watch? This is a cool option. Wear it on your wrist, stick it on your dash or panel…pretty versatile!

I was at 2014 AirVenture and got an invite to a Hamilton Watch press function. Hamilton has put a big emphasis in aviation by supporting airshow pilots, aviation movies and even training high altitude rescue helicopter pilots.  I was able to meet a few of the companies leaders and I am impressed.  Glad to see them involved in aviation. 

The Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition writes the next chapter of Hamilton’s long history of aviation

Hamilton is taking its close cooperation with Air Zermatt, the Swiss mountain rescue service, to new heights with the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition. This pilot watch, which simultaneously acts as a wrist-, cockpit- and table watch, has been created to meet the needs of the rescue team. This dynamic watch is detachable and can be placed in the dashboard of a helicopter or airplane cockpit, as indicated in the presentation box which makes aviation references with a reconstructed dashboard and texts such as “No Step” and “Pull to Open”. Synchronized with the Hamilton brand’s strong aviation heritage, dating back to 1919, the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition combines high-tech modernity with inspiration from the Hamilton elapsed time clock produced during World War II and then considered the most complicated aircraft clock. For the 1,999 wearers in possession of one of the numbered pieces, this watch is the perfect portable cockpit with a constant presence on the style radar screen.

For further information:

Aircraft annuals and the insurance company

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Thinking of flying your freshly “out of annual” aircraft to the mechanic for the annual?  Check your insurance coverage first!  Many insurance companies will not provide coverage for the aircraft if it is not in a current airworthiness status.
But wait!  It is licensed; it does have a current airworthiness…well not quite!  If the aircraft is out of annual and the owner gets a ferry permit, some people feel that makes it legal to fly.   Sort of.  Yes it is legal, by the FAA, to fly under the restricted permit.  All you have to do is follow the rules. 

BUT…the insurance company doesn’t always agree.  You could have the correct paperwork in the aircraft, the approved pilot and still not be covered.  The insurance policy often has a clause that will not provide coverage for the aircraft if it is not within current airworthiness.  In many peoples opinion this is a gray area of the airworthiness.  Airworthy means different things to the insurance company than to the pilot. 
What can you do?  Call the agent and get a little information.  Ask a few questions.  Check to see if the policy has any language about FAR’s.  Many companies have an exclusion in the policy that will not provide any coverage for any situation where the insured is found in non-compliance with the FAR’s.  We have found a few companies that don’t have any language pertaining to FAR’s (but they do have language that excludes out of annual aircraft).
With an aircraft that runs out of annual during a trip (poor planning for whatever reason) the coverage will probably be null and void.   Don’t put yourself into this type of situation.  The aircraft needs to have a ferry permit issued by the appropriate FAA Flight Standards District Office.  To do that requires that the aircraft have an entry in the logbooks from a mechanic stating that the aircraft is airworthy for a ferry flight.  Most of the time this means it does not have any outstanding AD’s that could jeopardize the flight, the flight has to be “Day VFR” and that only the required crew be on board.  In that situation having your friend fly along is not required.  Getting dual in the aircraft because you have never flown it before might be required for you, but not for the operation of the aircraft. 
If you want to fly and be insured with an aircraft that is out of annual the underwriter can put a note in the insurance company file and you’ll be okay.  Don’t be surprised if they charge you extra for this little bit of service.  If the aircraft has been out of annual for a long time, say over a month; make sure that you have a good relationship with the agent and the underwriter.  It might take a little work for the agent to get the underwriter to provide coverage.  Underwriters don’t like to cover aircraft that have been out of annual for a long time.  The risk is too high for failure and claims. 
If you bought an aircraft that was out of annual, you might not be able to get coverage at all.  Many insurance companies have decided that they will not take on a new risk that is not ready to fly.  That means the aircraft might be a good deal as is, out of annual, but you can’t bring it home insured.  If you want to buy an aircraft in this situation, call the agent first and let him know what the situation is.  We have been able to get coverage in a limited number of cases provided the aircraft has not been out of annual very long and the pilot was qualified to fly the aircraft. 

Whatever the situation, make sure you check you policy before you fly an aircraft that is out of annual… or hundred hour inspection, but that’s a different story.