Category Archives: Airventure

Is oil analysis a good idea

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This is a good question for not only aircraft owners but ,boat and performance car owners. too.

Question. Is oil analysis a good idea or just a waste of money?
Answer. 
I think it depends on the engine.  Most mechanics would probably agree that a high time engine would benefit from oil analysis.  If you are trying to extend the time between overhauls (TBO),  oil analysis is a must.  Flying your aircraft past TBO can save you a few bucks in the near future but can (but not always) increase the actual cost of the overhaul in the long term.  It could be one of those “pay me now or pay me more later”!  Extended use might damage parts instead of just wearing them down.  

But oil analysis and regular oil changes can help the owner monitor some of the internal conditions of the engine.  Which also means if you start a new engine on the oil analysis program from the very start you can continually monitor the engines wear throughout the years of operation. 

Typically, the average oil change would be sufficient for most owners to check the oil for any contaminants.  The mechanic or owner  who does the oil change should cut the filter, or inspect the oil screen and look for any type of contamination.  If you are looking at an aircraft to buy, and you have the time, an oil analysis would probably offer you finer (no pun intended) details than just the filter or screen test.  In fact, if you find something in the screen or filter it will probably indicate wear or damage that may be significant and might be a indicator that you should do oil analysis.

So in the end, no I do not think it is a waste of money.

APOLLO PROGRAM’S 50TH ANNVIVERSARY BRINGS ASTRONAUT REUNION TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crew members from numerous Apollo missions expected to attend
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (January 31, 2017) — Astronauts from the Apollo missions that put humans on the moon for the first time are expected to be at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo program.
The 65th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The reunion is expected to be the largest gathering of Apollo astronauts at Oshkosh since the memorable 1994 “Salute to Apollo” program that brought together 15 of the men who were the faces of the American effort to put men on the moon. Many of the activities will be centered on AirVenture’s Apollo Day on Friday, July 28, which is highlighted by a major evening program at Theater in the Woods.
“A number of Apollo astronauts have already committed to the event, as have other people closely involved with America’s space program during that era,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This will be a rare, unforgettable gathering of the people who met the challenge of flying to the moon and safely returning, representing hundreds of thousands of individuals who contributed to its success. You may never get another opportunity to see the people in person, up close, as you will at Oshkosh this summer.”
It is expected that crew members representing many of the Apollo missions will attend. Those who have already confirmed their attendance include:
Frank Borman (Apollo 8)
Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7)
Fred Haise (Apollo 13)
Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and Apollo 13)
Al Worden (Apollo 15)

Additional astronauts are expected to confirm their attendance in the coming weeks. Further details on events and schedules will be announced as they are finalized.
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.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Images of the Apollo astronauts can be found on the EAA media FTP website:
http://media.eaa.org               ID: eaamedia          PW:airventure2012                 (AirVenture 2017 folder/Apollo 50th file)
 

Do you need commercial drone insurance?

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Depends on what you are doing with the drone, your appetite for risk and how deep your financial pockets are. There is an anonymous saying I like “flying is not inherently dangerous, but crashing is”. If you have a risk of crashing you might have a need for insurance.
Risk can be handled in a number of ways. You can take the risk on yourself (self-insure), you can stay away from risk (don’t fly), reduce the risk (better training, safety systems, only fly on calm days) and you can transfer the risk to someone else.
Insurance is basically transference of risk. You are transferring the risk of your drone to the insurance company for a fixed smaller amount of premium. They hope you will not crash and they not have to pay a claim. But for that privilege they have requirements that you are to follow.
eagledroneWhen do you need to consider buying insurance for your drone?
Are you flying as a hobby or recreational use?
If you are flying your drone as a hobby or recreation and you are not operating in the commercial drone category, most likely your homeowners (if you have one) policy will cover the liability insurance. Homeowners might even cover the drone for theft or other losses other than crashing. You would be subject to the homeowner policy deductibles. I don’t sell typical homeowners so I can’t tell you the details, but make sure you contact your homeowner’s insurance company and ask to know for sure.
Are you flying for hire?
Commercial drone insurance is usually considered aviation insurance.
Reason I am saying aviation is because once you decide to make the transition to commercial operations, the homeowner insurance companies really do not want the risk. Aviation insurance companies already understand aircraft risk so the transition to drones is actually a little bit easier. In fact, many of the aviation insurance companies have been providing drone coverage for years but on a bigger scale. Just in the past couple of years did they start ripening their “doors” to smaller more general aviation drone operators.
Commercial drone insurance coverage
1. Liability
2. Drone hull coverage
3. Extra scheduled equipment
Typically, liability coverage in an aviation insurance policy will be for property damage and bodily injury. You need to know the basic insurance definitions to understand the coverage. The following definitions were taken from various policies and simplified as best as possible.
“Property damage” means any physical damage to “tangible” property. This coverage does not cover the aircraft itself, any of your own property or property that you are in charge of. This is just for the property belonging to others that was damaged by the accident. This damage might include the loss of use of the property. Example; houses, automobile, crops etc.
“Bodily injury” liability means the physical (bodily) injury to or the death of a person.
What does aircraft liability insurance protect you from? If you have an accident in your aircraft, the liability coverage will protect you from lawsuits from people who are injured, any of the heirs from anyone that is killed in the accident AND from anyone that has property destroyed or damaged.
But it is important to remember that the commercial drone insurance policy limit is typically the maximum the insurance company is responsible for (payments and legal defense).
Hull coverage is the protection you are buying for the actual cost of the drone and equipment attached to the drone. Aviation insurance is generally an “agreed value” policy. That means if you have a total loss, the claims department will pay the stated value of the “drone” on the policy (minus your deductible). This is different from your auto insurance. As an owner it is your decision to value the drone at a reasonable level. Most underwriters will allow you to pick the value based on the type of drone and equipment and the age. Or they may request that you provide proof of the value (receipts etc).
That’s the basics of the type of coverage that are available for commercial drone insurance. For more information or with any questions, contact me, Scott Sky Smith “Name on the door”.