Category Archives: experimental aircraft

Medicals needed?

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Most companies require a current medical if you are to be insured.  Does that mean you don’t have insurance if you don’t have a medical?  No!  If you are not using the aircraft in a way that needs a medical, why would you need to have a medical?
If you are unable to maintain a medical, but you still own an aircraft it could still be insured.  If you are not flying the aircraft and you have coverage while “not-in-flight” and the aircraft is damaged by a big storm, you should still be covered.
Many of the aviation insurance companies follow the guidelines of the FAA.  I even tried to find an FAR that said you had to have a medical (or a pilot’s license for that matter) to taxi or own an aircraft.  I was unable to locate anything specific to that.  (Just think, if that was the case, many of the corporate owners or the owners that hire a pilot, would not be able to have any coverage). 
For an example, say you are the aircraft owner and you don’t have a medical and you are taxiing your aircraft around the airport.  A good owner keeps the engine, tires and brakes limbered up.  And let’s assume that you have full coverage for ground and flight.  Now, what if you happen to have a minor mishap during that time, such as you hit a taxi light or drop in a hole and damage the prop, you should have coverage.  Should have coverage and the insurance company not wanting to pay are two different things.  Most aircraft insurance policies have a section that states that the operator of the aircraft has to meet the requirements of the policy.  The requirements usually include a medical.  But a medical is not required to taxi or start the aircraft only to fly the aircraft.  If you were not on the runway, not flying or haven’t been flying, should they pay?  I think so.  And will they pay?  Probably.  If the company has provided the correct coverage for the aircraft and the aircraft is not in a situation requiring a medical, they should be responsible! 
If you were out flying and the aircraft had an accident, you’d void the policy without a medical.  So just because you are on the ground doesn’t mean you don’t have to meet the policy requirements.  The earlier example is a situation, where you were not in flight and not intending to fly. 
Of course, this is a “gray” area.  If the pilot is taxiing to the pumps for fuel to make a flight, he doesn’t have to have a medical, but going down the runway he does…I just thought of something else.  Many people think they can get around this by having a friend in the aircraft that does have a medical.  Problem is if they are not qualified, listed or meeting the open pilot warranty they are not covered in the aircraft.  If the other pilot is not an instructor they can’t be “giving dual”.  Additionally, that “friend” will be the one at risk of being the pilot in command in the event of an accident or claim.  Very few people I know want to have an accident (and possibly a violation) on their pilots record for a friend who just happened not to have a medical!  Usually the friendship ends up being very short.

Next SkySmith Webinar!.

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EAA Webinar..

August 20, 7 p.m. CDT: Keeping Flying Affordable, Scott Sky Smith – Tips, tricks, and new ideas that pilots and owners can use to keep their aircraft flying affordably. Covering basic cost of ownership, ownership alternatives, owner-assisted annuals, insurance tips, training issues, simulators, and other ways to reduce maintenance costs.

To find out more about upcoming EAA Webinars and to register, visit the webinars page.

Miss a webinar? All webinars are recorded and loaded onto the EAA Webinars Channelwithin 24 hours.

What happens when you make an engine change?

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So you’re thinking of making a change.  Many modifications are available for your aircraft, but one of the most expensive (and some claim “most valuable”) is a new larger engine!
Before you run out and borrow the money for that fantastic conversion, check with your aviation insurance agent and see what will happen to your insurance rates.  Typically, they will probably say “I don’t know!”   Engine conversions have not always been a regular thing.  Conversions were always popular with homebuilders, but not with certified aircraft.  Today, more and more people are adding a different sized engine to their aircraft, hoping to increase the performance.
The first and most important question to consider is “is there an STC or will my aircraft be listed as an experimental.  If you are putting an engine in your aircraft that has not been certified or has not went through the FAA supplemental type certification (STC) process you’re asking for an increase in premiums, sometimes substantial.  In my experience, the premiums have increased anywhere from 10 to 25 percent. 
Examples?  There have been a number of companies that have put automotive engines into certified aircraft.  V-8 Chevy engines in a Skymaster, Subaru engines in 150’s and even the Camair engine in a Piper Arrow.  None of these conversions used certified aircraft engines and had their airworthiness certificates modified.  They were reclassified in the experimental category. 

In other cases where the aircraft was using certified aircraft engine and the aircraft was listed in the experimental category, the rate again increased between 10 – 25%.
But what happens if you decide to put a new, bigger engine in your aircraft by way of the STC program?  Numerous companies have engine conversions available that provide increased horsepower without making the aircraft an experimental.  I contacted a few underwriters, in those cases, most said that the premiums would probably not change significantly if at all.  The key here is “as long as it was an FAA approved STC conversion”.
If there were changes, what would they change?  The open pilot warranty might be more restrictive. The deductibles might be higher.  And definitely the value would be different!  But other than that…not much would change.  Of course all of this hinges on the insurance company and underwriter. 
What will you need to do, insurance wise, if you make the conversion?  Whether you convert to a bigger engine or just install a new engine, you need to re-evaluate the aircraft value on your policy.  Most companies will increase the value of your aircraft IF they can prove the higher value based on the aircraft value guides.
So what does this all mean?   Simply, if you decide to change the engine in your aircraft, whether it is the same or different horsepower, the insurance rates should not change if the conversion is done using an FAA approved STC.  The value of the aircraft will change, which in turn will increase the premium you pay.  Besides that, go for it!  The performance should be worth it.