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A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot
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kellymeiste(at)jcwifi.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

The yearly renewal of my 601 HD insurance is now due and  was stunned to see my insurance premium jump over 30% this year.

  

 When I asked my agent from SkySmith (underwriter is AIG)  why my rate climbed so much for this year I was shocked to hear their  answer.  I've just converted over to flying as a Sport Pilot with my HD and  they tell me THAT is the reason my rates skyrocketed (see they explanation  below).

  

  " I have been unable to receive a quote from any other  companies as they will not provide coverage to pilots

 flying in the Sport Category."

  

 Apparently no one wants to insure Sport Pilots, and those that will  see a huge profit to be made with this new classification.   

 Has  anyone else found this to be the case, and if so has anyone found a reasonable  Sport Pilot friendly company to insure with?

  

 Kelly  Meiste

 601  HD



    [quote][b]

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Have you gotten a quote through the EAA’s program?  

   

There was a podcast about insurance for LSA on avweb on Feb 1st. It talks about LSA but I don’t know if they factored in Sport Pilot. FWIW here is the link:  

   

“From an insurance perspective, the Light Sport Aircraft category is off to a rocky start. Early numbers suggest you're about twice as likely to have an accident in your LSA than a certified aircraft, but insurance underwriter Avemco isn't hitting the panic button. President Jim Lauerman spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles about what LSA pilots can do to reduce the toll quickly and painlessly.”  

   

http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/197061-1.html  

   

-- Craig  

       

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Kelly Meiste

 Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 7:20 PM

 To: Zenith List

 Subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot  

  

  

     

The yearly renewal of my 601 HD insurance is now due and was stunned to see my insurance premium jump over 30% this year.  

    

   

    

When I asked my agent from SkySmith (underwriter is AIG) why my rate climbed so much for this year I was shocked to hear their answer.  I've just converted over to flying as a Sport Pilot with my HD and they tell me THAT is the reason my rates skyrocketed (see they explanation below).  

    

   

    

" I have been unable to receive a quote from any other companies as they will not provide coverage to pilots  

flying in the Sport Category."  

   

Apparently no one wants to insure Sport Pilots, and those that will see a huge profit to be made with this new classification.    

Has anyone else found this to be the case, and if so has anyone found a reasonable Sport Pilot friendly company to insure with?  

   

Kelly Meiste  

601 HD  

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jimandmandy(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

I have found that EAA and AOPA "programs" are no special advantage because they are still agents that buy insurance on the open market from the same underwriters. Avemco is different, and I find them much easier to deal with.



Jim LoBue

601XL

Corvair



Craig Payne <craig(at)craigandjean.com> wrote:[quote]            <![endif]-->       <![endif]-->     Have you gotten a quote through the EAA’s program?

   

  There was a podcast about insurance for LSA on avweb on Feb 1st. It talks about LSA but I don’t know if they factored in Sport Pilot. FWIW here is the link:

   

  “From an insurance perspective, the Light Sport Aircraft category is off to a rocky start. Early numbers suggest you're about twice as likely to have an accident in your LSA than a certified aircraft, but insurance underwriter Avemco isn't hitting the panic button. President Jim Lauerman spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles about what LSA pilots can do to reduce the toll quickly and painlessly.”

   

  http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/197061-1.html

   

  -- Craig

   

      From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Kelly Meiste

 Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 7:20 PM

 To: Zenith List

 Subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

  

  

   

    The yearly renewal of my 601 HD insurance is now due and was stunned to see my insurance premium jump over 30% this year.

  

     

  

    When I asked my agent from SkySmith (underwriter is AIG) why my rate climbed so much for this year I was shocked to hear their answer.  I've just  converted over to flying as a Sport Pilot with my HD and they tell me THAT is the reason my rates skyrocketed (see they explanation below).

  

     

  

    " I have been unable to receive a quote from any other companies as they will not provide coverage to pilots

  flying in the Sport Category."

   

  Apparently no one wants to insure Sport Pilots, and those that will see a huge profit to be made with this new classification.  

   Has anyone else found this to be the case, and if so has anyone found a reasonable Sport Pilot friendly company to insure with?

   

  Kelly Meiste

  601 HD

  

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psm(at)ATT.NET
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:34 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

After a few years on this list, this is the first time I have seen 

any real discussion of aircraft insurance.  Bravo!



I tried getting information on insurance from Avemco and Falcon 

(EAA's anointed agent), and also spoke to insurance folks at a recent 

trade show.  From my perspective the picture is bleak.



Avemco sent me a quote, but it didn't include most of the coverage I 

wanted.  For example, I wanted my wife named as a student pilot and 

they refused.  Also, they refused coverage for my first flights.



The Falcon guy was cooperative, but I didn't pursue the question 

since I was still a long time from finishing my plane.  I know the 

EAA program includes first flight coverage, but I don't know how 

these guys react to the Sport Pilot issue.



I had an interesting conversation with an agent and also an 

underwriter at the trade show a few weeks ago.  I was left with a 

very sour taste in my mouth.  The underwriter seemed interested only 

in discussing all the reasons his company could find to refuse to pay 

a claim.  One issue offered by the agent in the conversation was 

coverage would be refused if an accident occurred when the pilot 

didn't have a current BFR.   When I pointed out that there are no 

longer BFRs from the FAA's perspective the answer I got was the 

insurance companies demand more from pilots than the FAA 

does.  Another issue raised by the underwriter was "Pilot 

Warranty".  This apparently means the insured owner "Warrants" the 

skill level of the pilot.  If an accident occurs and the pilot is not 

up to the guaranteed skill level then the claim will be refused - 

even if the pilot performed perfectly.



At this point, I am seriously considering not getting insurance for 

my plane at all.  I would like to have some liability insurance, but 

that might not work out either.  I just don't feel like the insurance 

companies are delivering what they sell . . .



Paul

XL fuselage

do not archive

At 07:39 PM 3/7/2008, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  I have found that EAA and AOPA "programs" are no special advantage 

because they are still agents that buy insurance on the open market 

from the same underwriters. Avemco is different, and I find them 

much easier to deal with.



Jim LoBue

601XL

Corvair

gfmjr_20(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:02 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

"Also, they refused coverage for my first flights."

  

 Paul--

    I've had Avemco on my Zodiac---liability only.  They did cover my first flight for liability, however, I believe they indicated that the hull (if I had it) would not be covered until I had 10 hours on the plane.

  

 George May

 601XL 912s 

 

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 


	


Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. Get it now!  [quote][b]

amyvega2005(at)earthlink.
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:49 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

i have not seen that just yet.  the insurance companies seem a little skittish with having pilots fly with no medical, it is an unknown risk.  I have seen guys that got bad strokes, and let their medical laps and are still flying.  Ask them what the rate is if you pass a medical.



Juan



--

steerr(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:44 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Have you talked to SkySmith?  They write insurance for AIG.  

ins(at)skysmith.com.



Bill

Paul Mulwitz wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 After a few years on this list, this is the first time I have seen any 

 real discussion of aircraft insurance.  Bravo!

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:26 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Hi Kelly,

The Sport Pilot allows that a person can drop the medical as an 

annoyance or conceal medical problems from the insurer.

That's probably the short answer and that they don't want to assume more 

risk without compensation.  It's also a great way

for them to increase their profitability knowing the actual risks involved.

I'm really not surprised and will continue to get the medical so long as 

I'm able.



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com

Kelly Meiste wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   The yearly renewal of my 601 HD insurance is now due and was stunned 

 to see my insurance premium jump over 30% this year.

  

 When I asked my agent from SkySmith (underwriter is AIG) why my rate 

 climbed so much for this year I was shocked to hear their answer.  

 I've just converted over to flying as a Sport Pilot with my HD and 

 they tell me THAT is the reason my rates skyrocketed (see they 

 explanation below).

  

 " I have been unable to receive a quote from any other companies as 

 they will not provide coverage to pilots

 flying in the Sport Category."

  

 Apparently no one wants to insure Sport Pilots, and those that will 

 see a huge profit to be made with this new classification. 

 Has anyone else found this to be the case, and if so has anyone found 

 a reasonable Sport Pilot friendly company to insure with?

  

 Kelly Meiste

 601 HD

 *

 *

Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:26 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Larry,

The problem a lot of us older guys have is that we have stuff in the distant past that the FAA medical "Head Water Moccasin" can use to deny a medical, despite having passed an exam. I know that because it happened to me.  He doesn't have to have a reason.  That is his prerogative. In my case he didn't actually deny my medical.  He just said that, in his opinion, I was not fit to fly; but just to show what a great guy I am, I'm going to grant you a "special issuance", good for six years.  That still required a medical exam every two years, two of which I passed.  When it came time for the third exam, I decided not to chance being denied a medical for no reason. So it is not always to "avoid an annoyance or to conceal a medical problem".   

Jay in Dallas

LarryMcFarland <larry(at)macsmachine.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

Hi Kelly,

The Sport Pilot allows that a person can drop the medical as an 

annoyance or conceal medical problems from the insurer.

That's probably the short answer and that they don't want to assume more 

risk without compensation.  It's also a great way

for them to increase their profitability knowing the actual risks involved.

I'm really not surprised and will continue to get the medical so long as 

I'm able.

Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com

Kelly Meiste wrote:

> The yearly renewal of my 601 HD insurance is now due and was stunned 

> to see my insurance premium jump over 30% this year.

>  

> When I asked my agent from SkySmith (underwriter is AIG) why my rate 

> climbed so much for this year I was shocked to hear their answer.  

> I've just converted over to flying as a Sport Pilot with my HD and 

> they tell me THAT is the reason my rates skyrocketed (see they 

> explanation below).

>  

> " I have been unable to receive a quote from any other companies as 

> they will not provide coverage to pilots

> flying in the Sport Category."

>  

> Apparently no one wants to insure Sport Pilots, and those that will 

> see a huge profit to be made with this new classification. 

> Has anyone else found this to be the case, and if so has anyone found 

> a reasonable Sport Pilot friendly company to insure with?

>  

> Kelly Meiste

> 601 HD

> *

> *

leo(at)zuehlfield.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:12 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

I changed to sport pilot last year.  My AIG liability/hull insurance 

went up less than 5%.  I had insured with AIG for 3 years as a private 

pilot.  300 hours total tail dragger time the first time I  insured.  

The first one hundred hours were 50 years ago. - I'm now 73 and happy.



Leo Gates

N601Z - CH601hds TDO

Rotax 912UL



Kelly Meiste wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   The yearly renewal of my 601 HD insurance is now due and was stunned 

 to see my insurance premium jump over 30% this year.

  

 When I asked my agent from SkySmith (underwriter is AIG) why my rate 

 climbed so much for this year I was shocked to hear their answer.  

 I've just converted over to flying as a Sport Pilot with my HD and 

 they tell me THAT is the reason my rates skyrocketed (see they 

 explanation below).

  

 " I have been unable to receive a quote from any other companies as 

 they will not provide coverage to pilots

 flying in the Sport Category."

  

 Apparently no one wants to insure Sport Pilots, and those that will 

 see a huge profit to be made with this new classification. 

 Has anyone else found this to be the case, and if so has anyone found 

 a reasonable Sport Pilot friendly company to insure with?

  

 Kelly Meiste

 601 HD

 *

 *

Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: Re: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Hi Guys,



I have Avemco for my Flight Design CT. I have liability and hull. I have several thousand hours, but my partner only has about 200 hrs. Our premium is based on the pilot with the lowest hours. For full coverage of $112K ours is $1900 a year, paid quarterly. (AIG seems to be a good one to go with, too.) Experimental category or ELSA cost more than SLSA by close to double in some instances. If I made my CT into an ELSA my insurance would be up to $4k. I guess insurance companies trust the work of an A&P with SLSA over the guys that do their own maint. on Experimentals and the SLSA guys have to stay in compliance and can't make aircraft changes at will. At least that's what Avemco told me. 

Avemco writes its own policies where the other companies are underwriters. I believe EAA (I'm a member) goes out to as many as 13 other companies for an underwriter. 

Avemco told me this year that rates were going up at least 10-25% across the board with a lot of companies when you renewed because of too many claims in the Sport Pilot category and the high pay outs. I guess they aren't making enough profit at our expense.   

Avemco does give 5% off for flight reviews each year and another 5% off for viewing a King Aviation Video. 



This is just an observation:

We as a group are flying  more or less high dollar planes ($60K-$130K). The new LSA pilots whether new or PP transitions should get some good instruction as they do land and fly a little different than the heavier GA planes. I would recommend an LSA CFI over some, not all, (no offense to some GA CFI's, some are good) GA CFI's because the LSA CFI's are more familiar with light aircraft and the differences between the GA and LSA flying characteristics. I might be wrong, but it seems a lot of crashes have come from the PP transition pilot with no LSA instruction or GA CFI  over a brand new pilot and of course just about all of these were attributed to pilot error. If we as a group , LSA or Experimental want to keep our insurance rates down then we have to do a better job as a group in keeping our planes in one piece.

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

Last edited by Roger Lee on Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:21 am; edited 1 time in total

notsew_evets(at)frontiern
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Im without insurance til I get my XL flying.  I have had "other" homebuilts 

insured and my broker is Chapparal out of Bermuda Dunes, California.

What was always said to me was, I needed to have the approiate medical for 

the rating I was using.

I asked about Sport Pilot and was told, " If its not required then a medical 

isnt needed".  Just like the Gliders that I ve owned over the years.  No 

medical required....

Of course insurance companies are like lawyers.  Hate them til you need 

them.....



SW

---

jmaynard

Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 394
Location: Fairmont, MN (FRM)

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

On Sat, Mar 08, 2008 at 09:15:03AM -0800, Roger Lee wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Avemco told me this year that rates were going up at least 10-25% across

 the board with a lot of companies when you renewed because of too many

 claims in the Sport Pilot category and the high pay outs. I guess they

 aren't making enough profit at our expense.  [Rolling Eyes]


	


I haven't spoken to Avemco, but both Falcon and AOPA quoted me in the

neighborhood of $3500 the first year for a 170 hour pilot with 10 hours dual

in type.

-- 

Jay Maynard, K5ZC                   http://www.conmicro.com

http://jmaynard.livejournal.com      http://www.tronguy.net

Fairmont, MN (FRM)                        (Yes, that's me!)

AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (getting ready to order)

_________________
Jay Maynard, K5ZC
AMD Zodiac XLi N55ZC

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Austin Meyer, the originator of the X-Plane flight simulator recently 

published his thoughts on the economics of airplane hull insurance:



http://x-plane.com/adventures/37%20Follow_Up.html



Look about half-way down. Basically meyer says that self insurance makes 

more sense than commercial hull insurance for most people. Well worth reading.



Terry

At 01:55 PM 3/8/2008 -0600, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  On Sat, Mar 08, 2008 at 09:15:03AM -0800, Roger Lee wrote:

 > Avemco told me this year that rates were going up at least 10-25% across

 > the board with a lot of companies when you renewed because of too many

 > claims in the Sport Pilot category and the high pay outs. I guess they

 > aren't making enough profit at our expense.  [Rolling Eyes]



I haven't spoken to Avemco, but both Falcon and AOPA quoted me in the

neighborhood of $3500 the first year for a 170 hour pilot with 10 hours dual

in type.

--

Jay Maynard, K5ZC                   http://www.conmicro.com

http://jmaynard.livejournal.com      http://www.tronguy.net

Fairmont, MN (FRM)                        (Yes, that's me!)

AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (getting ready to order)


	




Terry Phillips

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail, flaps, & ailerons 

are done; working on the wings

http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

jmaynard

Joined: 27 Feb 2008
Posts: 394
Location: Fairmont, MN (FRM)

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

On Sat, Mar 08, 2008 at 03:22:02PM -0700, Terry Phillips wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Austin Meyer, the originator of the X-Plane flight simulator recently 

 published his thoughts on the economics of airplane hull insurance:

 

 http://x-plane.com/adventures/37%20Follow_Up.html

 

 Look about half-way down. Basically meyer says that self insurance makes 

 more sense than commercial hull insurance for most people. Well worth 

 reading.


	


He's right about the economics. Unfortunately, those of us who are financing

our purchases must carry insurance to satisfy the finance companies...

-- 

Jay Maynard, K5ZC                   http://www.conmicro.com

http://jmaynard.livejournal.com      http://www.tronguy.net

Fairmont, MN (FRM)                        (Yes, that's me!)

AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (getting ready to order)

_________________
Jay Maynard, K5ZC
AMD Zodiac XLi N55ZC

eldenej(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Certainly an interesting piece. I read it with some care, waiting for his discussion about liability; it never came. My presumption is that the best possible case is never seeing a penny of payout from an insurance company. That would mean you have not had an accident; more importantly, you have not had a judgment leveled against you. I cannot imagine flying "naked" where an accident in which I caused harm to another could wipe out everything my wife and I have built.

  Elden J

  xl/3300

Terry Phillips <ttp44(at)rkymtn.net> wrote:

  [quote]--> Zenith-List message posted by: Terry Phillips 

Austin Meyer, the originator of the X-Plane flight simulator recently 

published his thoughts on the economics of airplane hull  insurance:

http://x-plane.com/adventures/37%20Follow_Up.html

Look about half-way down. Basically meyer says that self insurance makes 

more sense than commercial hull insurance for most people. Well worth reading.

Terry

At 01:55 PM 3/8/2008 -0600, you wrote:

[quote]On Sat, Mar 08, 2008 at 09:15:03AM -0800, Roger Lee wrote:

 > Avemco told me this year that rates were going up at least 10-25% across

 > the board with a lot of companies when you renewed because of too many

 > claims in the Sport Pilot category and the high pay outs. I guess they

 > aren't making enough profit at our expense. [Rolling Eyes]

I haven't spoken to Avemco, but both Falcon and AOPA quoted me in the

neighborhood of $3500 the first year for a 170 hour pilot with 10 hours dual

in type.

--

Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com

http://jmaynard.livejournal.com [quote][b]

Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

I believe he said he did not carry HULL insurance.  He made no mention of going naked.  Just if the plane needs to be repaired it's his risk not the insurance companies.

_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
https://sites.google.com/site/corvairenginedata/

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Ouch!



This is a part of the insurance problem that Meyer doesn't mention and I 

overlooked. My mortgage company, of course, requires homeowners insurance 

on my house. I'd probably carry it anyway. Just couldn't afford to take the 

chance that house would burn down. But in 35 years of home ownership, I 

don't think I've collected more than 3 or 4 thousand in claims. I see that 

I'm lucky that I am not financing the airplane.



Terry



do not archive

At 04:44 PM 3/8/2008 -0600, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  He's right about the economics. Unfortunately, those of us who are financing

our purchases must carry insurance to satisfy the finance companies...

--

Jay Maynard, K5ZC                   http://www.conmicro.com

http://jmaynard.livejournal.com      http://www.tronguy.net


	




Terry Phillips

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

601XL/Jab 3300 s .. l .. o .. o .. w build kit - Tail, flaps, & ailerons 

are done; working on the wings

http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

paulrod36(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  AMEN!  Read and understand, Grasshopper. Airspeed is your friend.  

                                                             Altitude  is your friend. 

                                                                 The  FAA isn't.

  

 After a legitimate problem (Angioplasty and stent in Dec 2001), I recovered  nicely and the FAA started giving me special issuances. OK, no problem proving I  was fit to fly. Until the fourth, when they arbitrarily denied it. No negative  change in condition, just a quick "no". I submitted an appeal containing 14  attachments, beating them over the head with their own records. Used their own  words, which, on a special issuance refer to not violating the rules, and not  having significant adverse changes, and satisfying them that public sfaety is  not endangered, blah, blah. After a while they sent me my LAST  special issuance. No explanation of why the denial, just the routine  paperwork.  One of our local EAA members lost his physical without even a  reason. He fought that one, and won. Again, no explanation. So some of us old  heads have merely learned what you may learn in the future.

     Yes, you can have a heart attack, lose one eye,  both ears, and half your innards, and, if you've never busted a physical, or  even taken one, become a Sport Pilot. Them's the rules. But I'd give odds that  the accident surge is coming from low time SP's in SLA's, and all they need to  do is get more time and experience, and they can fit right in with the rest of  GA as far as an accident rate goes. It's like the thing about old pilots and  bold pilots.  When I was in USAF pilot school (washed out eventually) a  couple of generations ago, my instuctor converted me to his religion-----Devout  Cowardice. Orthodox branch. It seems to have worked.

  

 Paul Rodriguez

 CAC       (Certified Aerial Coward)

 [quote]   ---

psm(at)ATT.NET
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:41 am Post subject: A/C Insurance when flying as Sport Pilot

Hi Paul,



I think (and hope) you are mistaken about Sport Pilots having high 

accident rates because of low experience.  Remember, we all had that 

same level of experience at one point and most of us managed to be 

careful enough to gain more experience.



I agree with your statement about cowardice.  I always used to refer 

to the "4 inch wide yellow streak down the middle of my back" for my 

continued existence while flying small planes.



I hope the accident statistics for Sport Pilots is good enough to get 

the FAA to drop the 3rd class medical altogether.  I believe this is 

possible if:  Sport Pilots don't have a great accident rate; any 

accidents they do have can be explained by poor pilot skills rather 

than poor health; and (shoot me if you must} Republicans take over 

Congress again.  This combination may never happen in my lifetime, 

but I think it is inevitable eventually.  After all, there has never 

been any proof that medical exams help aviation safety one 

iota.  Indeed, we still have airline captains dropping dead in the 

cockpit with their platinum plated first class medical certificate in 

their pocket.



We all need to exercise a reasonable amount of cowardice about our 

condition for flying and many other things.  The whole medical 

certificate program is based on the assumption that a bureaucracy can 

make better decisions about aviation safety than trained pilots 

can.  This is a notion that only Democrats could agree with (oops, 

there I go again getting political).  Even I wouldn't push for 

elimination of medical certificates for commercial pilots, but I 

believe the risks taken by any voluntary passenger in a plane piloted 

by a Private Pilot or Sport Pilot far outweigh the risks of flying 

with a pilot with an expired medical certificate.  After all, the 

NTSB nearly always blames accidents on pilot error, and I have never 

read a report blaming the pilot's medical history.



Paul

XL fuselage

definitely do not archive

 	  Quote: 	
		  . But I'd give odds that the accident surge is coming from low time 

SP's in SLA's, and all they need to do is get more time and 

experience, and they can fit right in with the rest of GA as far as 

an accident rate goes.

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