Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 11:27:32 -0800
From: erosiak@postoffice.pacbell.net
Subject: Lancair Insurance
To: "lancair.list@olsusa.com" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
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There have been many posts on the Lancair insurance association subject
most positive, some negative, and each side has it's merits. First, I
think Lancair has done as much as it can to keep insurance available to
all Lancair pilots, so hats off to them. They have a factory build check
and a first flight program. And I am sure by necessity, have responded
to Lancair type crashes. It's very possible that as the kit manufacturer
they are reviewed under a FAA magnifying glass as a result of most.

Yes there is "safety in numbers" as they say. However, as Dave Morss
pointed out there is also a concern with creating a potential monster
that the insurance companies (plural seems like a misuse as there really
aren't that many companies that will insure a Lancair) can point to and
say you didn't jump through that hoop.

Insurance companies are in business to do what all other companies are
in business to do; make money. They aren't doing us a favor taking our
insurance premiums. They are betting that we won't crash, and we are
betting that we will. Simple as that. There is no difference in this
insurance premise for any risks, be they auto, home or life insurance
either.

The Bonanza Organization and The Cessna Pilot's Association have been
been used as examples of groups which provide a discounted insurance
plan. This is true, but lets be honest here, neither Beech or Cessna
have aircraft that can perform like most Lancair's. Yes, there is the
Turbo Bonanza and the T210, but none of these compares to a IV, IV-P,
Legacy, many 360's and some ES's (Baron 58 may be an exception here).
Further, being a member of the CPA, I can tell you they use their
membership numbers to provide "better rates" for their membership. There
are discounts in numbers, and Beech and Cessna have them in number of
units produced. Most of these aircraft are familiar to the insurers,
however you still must pass some form of training process to become
insured. One very important point here. While I am not familiar with the
Beech org, lets not forget that CPA has full time paid employees to
administer the benefits of belonging.

I am not saying the Lancair Association is a bad idea, but I do have
some questions. Who is going to coordinate it long term? Who will deal
with the insurance companies desire to change checkout procedures or
problems with a certain type of Lancair? Unless there is a spokesperson
for our unified front I don't see why the insurers would listen to us.

When it comes to saving money on insurance or simply not getting
canceled, here are a few much more basic questions I have:
1. How much time did you take to check out in your Lancair? Was it
insurance company driven, or did you stay at it with an approved Lancair
instructor until you were feeling confident in the aircraft? In my case
for my ES I was required two hours with a known Lancair Instructor, with
a sign-off, but in reality it took me much longer to feel confident.
Next step for me is to spend as many hours as required to get my
instrument competency back. I know that will take me some time, and I
intend to spend it wisely.
2. How many of you Lancair drivers are instrument rated? If not why not?
This would no doubt help the insurance premium long term.
3. If you are instrument rated do you take an IPC each year? If not why
not? While you are at it throw in some flight maneuvers which will keep
up your confidence and allow you to become a better pilot.
4. How many have not flown with an approved Lancair check pilot since
you became officially checked out in your aircraft? If not, why not?

My concern here is this, all of us humans want to find the 'silver
bullet'. You know, "take a special pill after you ate that hot fudge
sunday and you won't gain any weight". The silver bullet doesn't exist.
The Lancair Association may be a great step forward but all of us need
to ensure that we provide the basics so it can be successful. If you
couldn't honestly answer any of the questions above positively, be
careful that you aren't looking for that nonexistent "insurance silver
bullet"... it doesn't exist. Go out and get with an instructor, get your
instrument rating, or take an IPC if you have one, or just get some
dual. Guess where the weak link is in the the aircraft insurance chain?
Just some food for thought.

Sorry for the long diatribe.........

Ed Rosiak
Super ES


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