Category Archives: Airventure

F-35, F-22, F-16 DEMO TEAMS

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F-35, F-22, F-16 DEMO TEAMS BRING SPEED AND POWER TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2020 AIR SHOW SCHEDULE

Current military aircraft to fly solo performances plus memorable Heritage Flights

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 31, 2020) — Current military fighter jets are among the most popular draws every year during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air shows, and the 2020 schedule lives up that reputation with demo teams with three of the top fighters in the U.S. military fleet. This year’s Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention features demo teams flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II throughout the week.

The 68th EAA fly-in convention, the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“As we continue to plan for a full AirVenture event this summer, EAA members and other attendees overwhelmingly tell us that they love to see the speed and power of modern military aircraft on display,” said Dennis Dunbar, director of AirVenture air show operations. “The pilots of these aircraft love flying at Oshkosh as well, as they know they are performing in front of one of the most knowledgeable and appreciative air show audiences they’ll find anywhere.”

The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will fly its own performances and participate as part of the Air Force Heritage Flight program, which matches current military aircraft with legendary warbirds from previous eras such as World War II. It comes to Oshkosh from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team demonstrates the abilities of the Lockheed Martin F-22, which was introduced by the Air Force in 1997 and is one of the premier air superiority fighter jets in the world. The demo team’s headquarters is at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will also fly both solo and Heritage Flight performances with Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe piloting. Capt. Wolfe is the Air Force first female F-35A Demo Team pilot and commander. It is based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

Exact dates and times of each demo team performance will be announced as they are finalized for AirVenture week, which features nine air shows over seven days, including two night air shows.

Don’t let your aviation insurance lapse!

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Aviation insurance lapse?

Don’t let your aviation insurance lapse or expire just because you are not flying or the cost of your insurance. With the corona virus issues in the country, many pilots have parked their aircraft.  Which is fine in some cases, but it might not be the best for everyone.

There have been changes happening daily in aviation insurance underwriting for the last year or so.  One of which is the aviation insurance premiums are increasing.  We have see 10% to even 100% premium increases (depending on the plane and pilot).

But it’s not just the premiums increasing, the underwriting requirements are also changing.  Depending on your aircraft and your age, if you let your coverage lapse, you might not get quoted again. Aviation insurance is not an automatic renewal, you need to start over each year.

If you have a unique or low production aircraft you might have difficulty getting a company to quote the aircraft.

This is also especially important if you are close to 65 years old or older!  Make sure you contact us (or your broker) before you let your insurance expire.  There are aviation underwriters that will not quote new business for pilots older than 65.  Once you cancel or let a policy expire, you become “new” business. At that point, the insurance underwriter that you let expire does not have to take you back.

There are options to keep the coverage in place even if you are not flying.  You could keep ground not-in-motion coverage on the hull to protect it from fire theft and storms.  Or you can reduce the coverage to liability only.

The idea is to keep the policy in place and not have the risk of not being able to get coverage in the future.

Questions, contact SkySmith at – ins@skysmith.com or 515-289-1439

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Coronavirus and Flying

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Coronavirus and flying your own aircraft.

Coronavirus and flying.  If you haven’t heard, Coronavirus is causing a few issues with aviation events, like Sun ‘n Fun (go to their website to get the details), which have been postponed or cancelled.

And of course, there are non-aviation events around the world that are being closed, postponed or cancelled.  It appears that traveling on airlines and crowds are two of the big issues.  Most of the “news” right now is about Coronavirus and flying on the airlines. The risks associated with large terminals with hundreds or thousands of people in close proximity.

While that is a problem for the majority of the public, there is more to aviation than just the airlines. Which brings up how important personal aviation is now! General aviation is a great way to fill in the gaps of travel.

Sure, we all need to practice safe behaviors and “social distancing” to protect ourselves and others.  Which is why flying your own aircraft is a way to actually keep you away from the crowds. For example, you only fly with known passengers and crew instead of people you have never met. It really gives a pilot a lot more control in this situation.

Just think, no more long security lines, mingling with hundreds or even thousands of other people, waiting to get on a commercial flight.

Remember, small local airports have fewer people and easier access.  Think about it, you can usually go through the gate to your airplane and fly out without much, if any, personal contact.  Yes, walking through the FBO there may be people, but its a lot fewer than at the commercial terminals.

Even in a time when the rest of the media would have us stay isolated and locked inside our homes, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to sneak out to the airport, stay away from crowds and go fly around the pattern, maybe make a few landings, just to relax and clear your head. Oh and don’t forget to wash your hands.

coronavirus and flying