Category Archives: aviation insurance

What to buy, a Cessna 150 or 172?

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What to buy, a Cessna 150 or 172?

150 or 172 150 or 172

Interesting question I was asked.  Should I buy a Cessna 150 or 172?   A four place aircraft would be nice, but what about the extra cost?  Is it worth it?  And the question isn’t just about Cessna aircraft.  It can also be about the Piper Tomahawk (or even the Cherokee 140) and the Cherokee 180 and a number of other aircraft.  Actually, it can be about any number of aircraft. Do you want a two seat or a four seat.

Both aircraft are very similar when it comes to maintenance costs and fixed costs.  Just because the 150 are smaller aircraft doesn’t mean they are substantially cheaper to own.  If you think about the difference between these two aircraft…there aren’t many, except for size.  The four place aircraft will have a bigger airframe and engine.  But the basic components (and construction) are about the same.  The same is true with the maintenance.

The initial purchase price can be lower for a 150, but many of the older 172’s are in the same price range.  When you buy lower priced four-place aircraft, you are buying an older age, which could increase the maintenance costs.

The biggest difference will probably be in the fuel burn and the insurance cost.  The fuel burn is about double in a four-place compared to a two-place aircraft.  The insurance premium increases because of the extra liability with the two additional seats and the increase in hull value.

But really, do you really need the extra room and higher useful load?  Don’t get your wants and needs confused.  A Cessna 150 will do almost every thing a Cessna 172 will, but on less fuel and at a slower speed. I flew a Cessna 152 from Iowa to New Orleans. It was along trip, fun and kind of cramped, but it still did the job. I also know a couple that took their Cessna 150 and flew from Iowa to Mexico. They toured the country of Mexico for a couple of weeks. Never had any problems getting in or out of airports or worried about the fuel they could obtain.

And think about how many people fly with you on a regular basis.  If its just you and your dog, the 150 will be all you need.

The final decision will depend on you personal situation, but don’t give up on a good two seat aircraft if that’s all you need.

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

insurance lapse

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