Wings, Wheels and Water

EAA SKILLSCORE 2.0

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EAA SKILLSCORE 2.0 PILOT PROFICIENCY TRACKER OFFERS MORE TOOLS TO ENHANCE FLYING SKILLS

More detailed information immediately available to pilots

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 30, 2020) — The newly enhanced 2.0 version of the SkillScore Tracker from the Experimental Aircraft Association has expanded technology that makes more detailed information available so pilots can gauge their flying proficiency and take steps to enhance their skills.

The EAA SkillScore Tracker was introduced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 as the first resource that allows pilots to measure flying proficiency on an EAA web portal or their mobile devices. Using data generated by the CloudAhoy mobile app, pilots can track flying consistency and stability. Using this data, the EAA SkillScore Tracker will generate a comprehensive, personalized and confidential SkillScore, confirming a pilot’s overall strengths or need for additional work. This resource is available to all EAA members.

“The success of the SkillScore Tracker over its first year allowed EAA and CloudAhoy to further develop and evolve the technology to provide even more valuable information for pilots,” said Radek Wyrzykowski, EAA’s manager of flight proficiency. “The goal with this enhanced information is building proficiency and safety for all aviators by suggesting areas of improvement.”

Instead of a single overall score that measures pilot proficiency, SkillScore 2.0 has individual results for specific skill and areas of activity that include:

  • Quality of flight (encompassing such factors as stability of landing approach, maintaining altitude in straight-and-level flight and turns, and quality of FAA-standard maneuvers such as steep turns)
  • Number of takeoffs and landings within the last 90 days
  • Number of flights with a flight instructor
  • Time spent in the air

“Tracking and measuring in an organized manner means that every flight is an even better opportunity for pilots to improve their skills,” Wyrzykowski said. “When coupled with CloudAhoy’s standard app, EAA SkillScore Tracker is the best way to track your progress, without the time and expense of unnecessary effort, so you can continually build your abilities with every flight.”

While the EAA SkillScore Tracker is free to all EAA members, CloudAhoy also offers more in-depth and detailed analysis for premium account holders.

More information about the EAA SkillScore Tracker is available at EAA.org/Proficiency. It is part of EAA Proficiency365TM, where pilots can develop and refine skills that make them a better, safer pilot. EAA Proficiency365TM also features IMC Clubs and VMC Clubs for local flying groups, EAA Virtual Flight Academy, flight planning tool marketplace, and information about the Pilot Proficiency Center pavilion featured each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh including in a virtual way in 2020 during EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Week.

 

Virtual AirVenture

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Get ready for a Virtual AirVenture!

Look for my online webinars Tuesday, July 21, 2020  at 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM CDT and Saturday, July 25, 2020 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

More details below.

EAA SPIRIT OF AVIATION WEEK SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF FLIGHT

July 21-25 lineup includes top aviators, dozens of forums, ‘best of’ moments

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 7, 2020) — Highlights from across the world of flight will entertain and educate aviation enthusiasts on July 21-25 as part of the extensive schedule for EAA’s Spirit of Aviation Week. That initial schedule was unveiled today as part of the free online experience hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association.

With already more than 170 scheduled events, the five-day online aviation fest includes streamed and on-demand content, encompassing nearly every facet of aviation, with a focus on educational, informational, and entertaining moments. EAA’s special interest groups will also be heavily involved, bringing highlights that include homebuilts, warbirds, vintage, aerobatics, ultralights, and much more at EAATogether.org.

“The support and participation from across the entire aviation community, including NASA and the U.S. Air Force, has allowed us to create a schedule that truly reaches across the entirety of flying highlights,” said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “The content throughout the week is more than something to watch – it is a week where everyone can truly be engaged as an active participant.”

Among the features scheduled throughout the week are:

  • Discussions and content covering homebuilts, vintage aircraft, warbirds, ultralights, chapters, learning to fly, hangar flying, air shows, military aviation, spaceflight, and more
  • Forums across multiple channels ranging from how-to content and learning to fly to aviation history and technical insights
  • Multiple live workshops each day on aircraft building and restoration skills
  • Pilot proficiency content for FAA WINGS credit
  • Interviews with aviation personalities, plus favorite EAA archive material – some of which has never been seen publicly

“While nothing can replace the in-person Oshkosh experience, Spirit of Aviation Week brings multiple channels of highlights throughout each of the five days,” Pelton said. “In that way, it is like being on the AirVenture grounds, where every turn brings a new possibility to discover and engage in everything about aviation. Wherever you are during Spirit of Aviation Week, this experience reminds us that we are indeed #EAATogether.”

More activities will be added in the coming days, so check back for additional highlights to come.

About EAA

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 240,000 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.

Factory Approved School for Liability Only?

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Factory Approved School still required for Liability Only?

While discussing liability only insurance on a pressurized aircraft the question was,  “All I want to buy is liability insurance for my new aircraft. But the underwriter still requires that I attend a Factory Approved School. What gives?”

Typically, when you own or buy certain aircraft the aviation insurance underwriters require you to have Factory Approved School. Either initial  ground and flight or recurrent. This school requirement usually needs to take place within twelve months from the flight.  So, if you are looking at a pressurized or cabin class aircraft you will be required to attend Factory Approved School.

Why they still require school?

Just buying liability insurance doesn’t eliminate the insurance companies’ responsibility. Remember that buying insurance of any kind is a part of risk management. Liability in its pure definition is an “unlimited exposure” to the pilot.  If the buyer does not feel comfortable in self-insuring the risk (the chance that they may be responsible for hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in the event of an accident) they need to transfer that risk to someone else (the insurance company).  But when you transfer the risk, you also transfer control to the underwriting.  The underwriters can require or mandate that the insured participate in training or get additional dual or even fly solo for a certain number of hours.

The majority of the claims are for damage to the aircraft itself (the hull). Many buyers feel that by not buying physical damage (hull) protection for the aircraft hull they can alleviate the training requirements.  But that is not true.  The insurance company may still be on the hook for paying a claim if you crash or damage the aircraft.  While they may not be responsible for damage to your aircraft, they are still responsible for paying claims related to the bodily injury and property damage to third parties.  That “liability coverage” is usually a larger payout for the insurance company than the hull coverage (although, not as often).   And since the insured is still the pilot, the insurance company still wants them to be qualified and competent in the aircraft.

You wouldn’t want a lawyer or surgeon to work on your behalf and not maintain their currency or training, would you?  A pilot should have the same attitude.  How many aircraft owners would want to fly in an airline crewed by pilots that only get training once every few years? Professional pilots are usually required to get training on a regular basis (some as often as every six months) and they fly more hours than the average general aviation pilot.

The insurance companies look at the statistics and the numbers on the bottom line, if training helps reduce claims and helps save money in a particular model or style of aircraft, they’ll require it.  And there is always the option of not getting the training and being self-insured.  Very few states require the owner of an aircraft to buy insurance coverage.

Factory Approved School