aviation insurance – Page 4 – Scott Sky Smith Insurance

Airshow season is starting!

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Scott Smith

Airshow Season – Sun N Fun and AirVenture

Airshow season is my a favorite time of year. I use Sun N Fun as my kick off show usually. It is like they say, the “Spring break for pilots”. And i usually write about attending events like Sun N Fun and AirVenture for the Cessna Owners and Piper Owners Magazines. So if you want more details join those two groups and you can get access to the articles. I have also put up a short video here about Airshows.

Anyway, I usually see four major issues which I have noted below (which were in the Cessna and Piper article! These are my opinion only, that I have formed from years of attending airshows and insurance.

Airshow-itus – Getting all excited and making high performance take offs and landing or a fly-by that end up in a mishap. There is something about being at an airshow or a fly-in that gets to a pilot and make them want to impress others. I do believe that being a pilot is a great achievement. Its also a great experience and it is also a huge ego boost. But remember the line from Top Gun, “Your egos writing checks your body can’t cash”, its amazing how many people try to “cash” at an airshow.

Volunteerisms – most events, shows, fly-ins are manned by volunteers. Volunteers make the shows go around. And they are trying to do their best even if they don’t quite no what they are doing. But watch out when they are directing you to park, you are still the pilot and need to have the final decision. Many a pilot has followed the direction of the vested flag bearing volunteer and needed up with a collapsed nose gear or prop strike. They directed, you pay.

Weather – is one of those things that change and at a show like Sun N Fun it can be nice this morning and storming this afternoon, just like AirVenture. Be prepared for weather changes. That includes tie downs and control locks. And if you are tenting… well, maybe you can sleep in the plane?

General population – The regulars, the muggles, whatever people call the “non-pilots”. I know that kind of sounds bad. But one thing about big airshows, especially if the show has a military team (Blue Angles, Thunderbird’s etc.) they draw big crowds. And not all those people are pilots or owners. Many are just aviation enthusiast that like watching “Top Gun” movies and dog fighting on their simulators. That’s okay, a show needs to make money and pilots are small numbers compared to the general public. What that does mean is a lot of the attendees are people that do not know about airplanes and what’s acceptable behavior around aircraft. So watch out for people walking into props, bumping heads on flaps or putting kids on wings. Be alert to those around you!

I also put together a few Airshow season tips that I have heard from customers, friends and my own experiences.

Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly (but you can always buy stuff if needed)
Look at the events website and see what’s happened in past years and talk to past attendees about what to expect
Make sure you have tie downs appropriate for the event and the size of your aircraft
Check your aviation insurance and make sure it has the appropriate coverage use of your plane at the event. If you need additional insureds and a Certificate of Insurance start early. Don’t wait until the last minute and not get a chance to display your airplane
Know the navigation, TFR’s and of course the arrival and departure procedures
Need a rental car? Reserve ahead.
Make sure you have more than one credit card and extra cash. One thing about airshows, they always cost money. One of the first things in my pre-flight is checking my wallet for credit cards and licenses.
If you plan on shopping for aircraft supplies for the year, make sure your weight and balance will handle the return trip. But, don’t worry, you can always send your passengers home on the airlines if needed.

Don’t forget to look me up at Sun N Fun

And AirVenture

EXPERIMENTAL, AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS REMAIN BELOW FAA DECADE-LONG CHALLENGE GOAL

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Scott Smith

Uptick in aircraft accidents in past year a reminder that continual safety focus is essential

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 22, 2019) — While fatal aircraft accident totals in amateur-built aircraft remain at historic lows, a slight increase in the total for the last 12-month reporting period shows the continuing necessity for dedicated educational efforts to push the total even lower, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association.

The Federal Aviation Administration reports that for the 12-month period from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019, fatal accident totals for the experimental category overall, including amateur-built aircraft, racing aircraft, those used for exhibit only, research-and-development, and some types of light-sport aircraft, rose to 52 – five above the FAA’s “not to exceed” goal of 47 for the period. Of that total, 39 fatal accidents were in amateur-built aircraft, an increase of four from the previous reporting period.

FAA measures accident totals on an October-through-September annual basis to coincide with the federal government’s fiscal year. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board earlier this month noted that fatal accidents in all categories of general aviation increased in calendar year 2018 after several years of decline.

“What this increase tells us is that enhancing safety is not simply a target number to be reached, but a continual effort to build on the positive foundation we have already established,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “We are pleased that the accident totals remain below the challenge goal FAA issued to us in 2010, when the agency asked us to reduce the accident rate by 10 percent over the ensuing decade. It is not enough to simply reach a number, however; we must keep a steady focus on making improvements, especially as the number of general aviation flight hours have increased over the past several years.”

Elliott noted that the overall fatal accident numbers for experimental category aircraft remain much lower than other recreational pursuits, such as boating, skiing and snowboarding, and driving all-terrain vehicles.

EAA has worked closely with the FAA and NTSB on recommendations to reduce fatal accidents, including through participation in the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee that EAA has co-chaired for the past three years. Efforts have also included more than 2,500 copies of the one-year old EAA Flight Test Manual now in the hands of amateur-built aircraft owners and the increasing use of an additional safety pilot during initial flight testing in amateur-built aircraft.

“With already very small numbers involved, a few additional accidents can create a percentage-rate anomaly, so it’s important to focus on driving the overall accident numbers lower,” Elliott said. “We must focus on training, situational awareness, and good pilot skills to complement the ever-improving technology that is part of today’s aircraft cockpits.”

About EAA

EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 230,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.

Tiger or Arrow

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Scott Smith

Tiger or Arrow

Received this email about buying a Tiger or Arrow.

Hi Scott, I attended your seminar on “How to buy an airplane”. This will be my first airplane purchase, and I would like to spend around $75,000 or less. I think I’ve narrowed down my options, and I was wondering if I could get your thoughts on the following two aircraft a Tiger or Arrow.

Tiger: 1976-1979 vs. 1990-1993. Are there any advantages with paying more for the later year models? I found many ’76-’79 models with low hours asking between $36K – $65K depending on condition. The ’90’s models seem to be $75K and up. What are your thoughts?

Piper Arrow: The owner of my flight school asked me if I was interested in buying a ’73-’74 Arrow as a leaseback for the flight school. Personally, I do not really need a retractable, and the cruise speed is about the same as the Tiger. But I only fly about 75 hours per year so the flight school would help offset the costs a little. It would be the only retractable (and I think the only low wing – except for one Tiger) for rent in my area, so I expect that it would mostly be rented by more experienced pilots, and according to the flight school owner, also those who are going for their commercial license.

I’ve run the numbers for a lease back on this model, and after all expenses, maintenance and engine/prop reserve, they seem to work in my favor by about $750-1,000 per month, based on 60/hours rental per month at $120/hour. Am I right? What is the best way to evaluate a leaseback scenario?

I really enjoyed your seminar, and I’ve read your book “How to buy a single-engine airplane.” You’re honest with the facts and figures, and you don’t pretend that buying an airplane is not a big deal – it is! I appreciate that! I have 108 total hours, mostly in a C-172. I really like the low-wing models, and I’d like to make trips to Phoenix, so the cruise speed is somewhat significant, 135 knots is nice.

My answers about the Tiger or Arrow

The Tiger is a great aircraft. It offers retractable gear speeds with fixed gear. I owned an AA1A (two seat) for a while and really enjoyed flying it. I have a few hours in a Cheetah and Tiger which I really like.

I am not sure that there is any significant difference between an old and a new Tiger…except for age. I tell a lot of people to buy as new as possible. But sometimes an older aircraft that has all the upgrades and all the avionics that the newer one does might be a better deal. All the goodies without all the extra expense. If you buy old and put new “stuff” in it, you’ll get pennies on the dollar back for the investment.

I think the big factor would be hours, equipment and the condition of the older models. Since the Tiger is a different construction (bonded honeycomb) age can have a dramatic effect on the seams/bonding. You would want to check for damage to joints and seams from any paint stripper and any corrosion. Of course, it doesn’t matter if it is a new or old aircraft that would still be a concern!

As far as the Arrow? It is another good aircraft. It is especially good as a personal run around aircraft and commercial trainer. But because it is a retractable gear aircraft your maintenance and insurance costs are going to be higher. Not only the gear but you also have a constant speed propeller. The Arrow is cheap, as far as maintenance is concerned, but still it will typically cost more than a Tiger… for the same speed and load abilities. Insurance for rental on the Arrow could be $5000 a year or more (depending on the value).

Leaseback. If you put your aircraft on leaseback it becomes a piece of equipment. You will not have the freedom to use it or control its care like your own. But if you use it as a piece of equipment, don’t get personally attached; don’t worry about the details, (like scheduling your flights through the FBO, etc.). It might be okay.

Make sure you know all the details of the contract before you do a leaseback. Many FBO’s require that the owner cover all the expenses. Understand how they figure the cost of maintenance and what type of maintenance will be expected. Just think, at 60 hours month, it will need the 100-hour inspection (a mini annual) every month and a half. How much are they going to charge for the 100 hour inspection? Are parts discounted? Will you get a break on expenses? When you calculate your cost per hour, make sure you take into account the speed at which you will need an engine or prop overhaul or need to comply with AD’s and service bulletins etc.

If it is going to be your personal pride and joy, I don’t think you would be happy as a leaseback. Leaseback does help pay the bills. But it also increases the hours the aircraft is flown. Adding hours, wear and tear and abuse. A commercial trainer will be used to teach people maneuvers, engine outs, landings, etc. All of which add to the wear on an aircraft. It is still being used as a trainer (even though it is being used by current pilots).

Personally, if the cost per hour is a factor, buy an earlier Tiger at a lower cost. Get the most equipment and lowest hours you can and fly it as your own aircraft. If you can fly 75 to 100 hours a year, it would be cheaper per hour to own the aircraft than to rent. And with the Tiger you won’t have the higher insurance and maintenance costs.

Grumman Tiger

Piper Arrow

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