Wings, Wheels and Water

Survey? Hiring a surveyor.

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Need a survey?

How do I find a “qualified” surveyor? If you are buying a boat that is: over 10 years old, made of wood or steel, or is over 26 feet in length, you will probably need to get a survey.  even if you are not borrowing money, a survey is a good idea.   Oh and often the insurance company will require a recent dry survey for a new purchase.

Start by looking up the organizations that certify surveyors.  Three major associations train and certify surveyors:  National Association of Marine Surveyors  (www.namsurveyors.org), U. S. Surveyors Association  (www.navsurvey.com) and Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (www.marinesurvey.org).

A good marine surveyor should not only be qualified and a member of good standing in a professional survey organization, but also a member of the American Boat & Yacht Council (www.abycinc.org).  This organization is “a not-for-profit membership organization that has been developing and updating the safety standards for boat building and repair for 50 years”.  Surveyors that are also members of the American Boat and Yacht Council should be up to date on safety standards in the industry.

You can do a few things before hiring a surveyor.

The following are a few areas that a boat owner should check:

Exterior – Damage, loose rivets, leaks, delaminating, cleats, running lights, finish

Interior – Leaks, rot, access, electrical, safety

Engine – Wiring, oil, cables, bellows, fuel, filters

Drive units – Chips, damage, corrosion, propeller

Trailers – Tires, bearings, lights, wiring, pads, rollers

More than likely when you go to sell the boat the buyer will be required to have a survey.  Make sure that you keep the boat in good shape.

Take care of some of that owner maintenance yourself.  An owner should perform or have performed regular inspections of their vessel a few times each year.  If it is a trailer-able boat, check it each time it comes out of the water.  Seasonally moored vessels are checked at least at the start and end of the season (and sometime in-between).  Owner maintenance will help reduce the “gig” or repair list on a survey.  The better the maintenance on your vessel, the less the survey will find needed repairs.

Need a copy of self survey that you can use for your own maintenance review? Send em an email for a free copy.

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Drones? Let’s talk drone insurance.

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Let’s talk drones.

Drones, now that you have one what do you do with it? There are only so many videos of your yard or your roof you can take. So you start taking videos for other people, making money by making videos.

Being Paid.  Good idea, but if you are being paid to fly your drone you will be considered commercial by the FAA and the insurance underwriters.

No liability coverage. That means the liability that is included with your home owners insurance or any liability coverage you may have as a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics will not cover your commercial flying.

That’s where we come in.  We have been specializing in the aviation insurance business for over 30 years.

Aviation Insurance Companies. And many of the aviation insurance underwriters are providing coverage for the drone industry (and have been for a number of years).

The basics of drone insurance.

Most important coverage you will need is the liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury.

What is liability? If you cause an accident, or have an accident that damages a third parties property or injures someone, liability is the coverage you will need.

Why do you need it? Often a company that hires you will require you to have liability insurance.

Premiums

Premium averages around $700 for 1 million dollar policy for property damage and/or bodily injury. Lower and higher liability limits are available.

Drone hull coverage. If you need the drone itself insured, I would call that drone hull coverage. As a guideline, drone hull coverage rates average 5% of the equipment’s value with 5% deductibles.

Example – a $3,000 hull value for the drone and camera would be about $150 in premium (plus the liability of $700) for a total annual premium of $850.

Should you buy hull coverage? Whether you buy hull coverage kind of depends on the value of your equipment and what you are willing to risk.  Many opt for the liability only option.

Premiums are average and can change based on the pilots experience, type of drone and how it is used.

Do you need a 333 No you don’t need the 333 Exemption, Part 107 or a pilot license to buy insurance. Although each company has different requirements and those requirements could include additional training, naming a licensed pilot (107 or other), copy of your 333 filing, etc.

Check out my YouTube video here.

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RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMONG CLASSIC JETS COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

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RARE BRITISH AIRCRAFT AMONG CLASSIC JETS COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

British Meteor, Venom, and Vampire to join U.S., Canadian, Soviet jets at event

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (December 14, 2017) — Some of the oldest jet aircraft in existence will be flying over the flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 as the world’s largest fly-in convention brings together a rarely-seen gathering of these early jets.

The 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event annually welcomes more than 10,000 airplanes and 500,000 people from 80 nations to celebrate the history and future of flight.

Among the airplanes expected to participate is a rare British Meteor, currently the oldest flying original jet in existence, which will arrive from the United Kingdom. British Venom and Vampire jets will be part of the gathering, as will American designs such as the T-33 “Shooting Star” and F-86 “Sabre,” as well as a Soviet-era MiG-17.

“Classic jets have been part of the EAA AirVenture warbirds lineup for a number of year, but to include rare British aircraft such as the Meteor, Venom and Vampire makes the 2018 gathering even more special,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Many people have never seen some of these jets fly in-person, which is why bringing these airplanes together is another reason EAA AirVenture 2018 is a can’t-miss event for aviation fans.”

“Oshkosh is known as the place where everything that flies is welcome and is appreciated by attendees, so to bring these rare jets to the AirVenture flightline is among the highlights of our odyssey to save, restore, and fly these magnificent airplanes.” said Marty Tibbitts, President of the World Heritage Air Museum of Detroit, Michigan, which is bringing the British jets to Oshkosh in 2018. The museum’s mission is to rescue military jet aircraft from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Other early jet aircraft will be coming from members of the Classic Jet Aircraft Association as well as private owners throughout North America. These enthusiasts are encouraging all owners of vintage jet aircraft to fly to Oshkosh in 2018 to make this reunion one of the largest ones even undertaken.

“The opportunity to be a part of the air shows and programming at Oshkosh is one that all classic jet owners should attend,” said Zach McNeill, Classic Jet Aircraft Association president. “These airplanes have unique histories and so many individual stories. The best place to share them is at Oshkosh, where worldwide aviation fans are eager to hear and appreciate more about these airplanes.”

The F-86 and T-33 aircraft communities are also urging their members to bring their aircraft to AirVenture, where they will participate in the daily air shows, displays on the Boeing Plaza main showcase ramp, and up-close presentations as part of the Warbirds in Review program. Complete details, including air show participation, will be released as they are finalized.

“We’re looking to create a reunion of these legendary jets at Oshkosh that is rarely seen by the public,” said Paul Keppeler, who owns and flies both a T-33 and F-86 jet aircraft. “There is something about being part of the Oshkosh experience that creates unforgettable moments, and we want as many of these jets as possible to be there this coming summer.”

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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