I keep hearing this but I don't see any significant difference between NW and TW insurance for the same qualifications and same hull value.Judging by the differential in insurance costs between an -8 and and -8A, you would make the insurance companies very unhappy if you were able to successfully stamp out all nosewheels.
The insurance guys are either pocketing all of that extra money from you taildragger drivers, or you guys are ground looping a lot more than you're letting on.
Yes I did.You walked into that one, buddy!"Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!"
I keep hearing this but I don't see any significant difference between NW and TW insurance for the same qualifications and same hull value.
Jay, did you have significant tailwheel time? When I asked about insurance I was told that the first year's premium would be fairly high, since I'd have very little TW time, but it would go down after I had some number of hours (50 or 100) in tail draggers.When I bought my 8A in 2013, the differential between nosewheel and tailwheel was almost $1000/year for insurance.
It's not insignificant.
When I bought my 8A in 2013, the differential between nosewheel and tailwheel was almost $1000/year for insurance.
It's not insignificant.
So what does this say about our military and commercial airline pilots?
They fly what they're paid to fly?
Jay, did you have significant tailwheel time? When I asked about insurance I was told that the first year's premium would be fairly high, since I'd have very little TW time, but it would go down after I had some number of hours (50 or 100) in tail draggers.
Jay, did you have significant tailwheel time? When I asked about insurance I was told that the first year's premium would be fairly high, since I'd have very little TW time, but it would go down after I had some number of hours (50 or 100) in tail draggers.
And this is why I intend to log TW time whenever possible for the foreseeable future. I'm going on 15 hours now and I'd like to have as much experience as possible, both for financial and practical reasons. (and by practical I mean "don't bend the plane you just spent five years building")
Yup, plus we'd probably never be skilled enough to fly a beastly Vans TW
Just askng. I wasn't trying to imply anything or criticize... bear in mind I have no TW endorsement, no TW training, have never taken off or landed a TW airplane, and am building a tail dragger. ::shrug::I had zero tailwheel time. Thus, the difference in insurance.
I'm sure once you've proven to the bureaucrats that you can fly a tailwheel safely, the insurance price difference shrinks, but for most pilots it's a significant savings to buy the -A model.
Just askng. I wasn't trying to imply anything or criticize... bear in mind I have no TW endorsement, no TW training, have never taken off or landed a TW airplane, and am building a tail dragger. ::shrug::
I did know the insurance cost would probably be pretty brutal the first year.
Just askng. I wasn't trying to imply anything or criticize... bear in mind I have no TW endorsement, no TW training, have never taken off or landed a TW airplane, and am building a tail dragger. ::shrug::
I did know the insurance cost would probably be pretty brutal the first year.
Reminds me of the NW Antique Aircraft Association. This show drew as many as 300 antiques, many the only examples flying, and was one of the most popular antique fly ins in the country.
I showed up with my '42 Aeronca L3 and was delegated to the back line. "Antiques have round engines", I was told.
Last year, I think there where 15 airplanes in attendance, including my Champ (one a workmanship award, how ironic). I think there where three or four round engines. The directors are now begging for anyone to show, in anything.
A couple year ago they even asked our RV formation group, West Coast Ravens, to entertain. We did, and nobody appreciated it.
Lee Bottom could be headed down the road to obscurity. Stupid.....
I really did consider the 8. There's really nothing I don't like about the 8 for solo flying. What tipped the scales for me is that my wife and I have many miles on our Harley, and while she says she doesn't mind riding tandem, I would just prefer side by side seating. Simply put, I'd rather have my honey beside me than behind me.Too bad your are committed to the 7 or I would have helped you decide to go with the 8.
In February I bought a completed 8 in Arizona far away from my home. Knowing I would buy an 8 I sought out training in Citabrias then finally got checked out by the best, Mike Seagar in his RV-7. I felt prepared until I flew the 8 for the first time. Holy cow!
I tried for three days in Arizona to 3 point the 8. I think I actually did maybe twice. Still wasn't pretty. All the other attempts scared the living **** out of me. The density altitude was at around 6000 and I never experienced that kind of ground speed before, plus I was coming in way too fast.
On the third day, I read how to land an RV-8 here on VAF. Saw tons of posts from guys like David, Dan, Paul and others I've come to trust and respect over the years. Now I wheel it on and its amazing. Occasionally I can convert a bad wheelie into a nice 3 pt. Takes awhile to get that confidence back.
Like David said, its challenging and fun. I'm having a blast. Got to pay attention and keep those feet alive. So glad I made this decision.
Now I understand why my insurance is so high.
I could of got my insurance way lower, like $300.00, had I received an additional 10 hours (Total of 20) training in type. Looking back on my experience, I wish I would have done that since I'm a low-time newbie.
Likewise, as Van's has recognized diversity in both aircraft models and landing gear design has made for an effective (stable or growing) business model.
Landing gear placement is a choice by the design engineer. Some airplanes make sense to have the "taxi" wheel in front and others in back. The RV series is one of the very few designes that seems to have little compromise for the location of the third wheel.
I do not want to stamp out people that want to paint their airplane orange with green poka dots so why would I want to stamp out people that have chosen a different gear arrangement, especially since it has very little performance or safety compromise. OSH would really be boring with row after row of white, low wing, 4 cylinder, tail wheel aircraft.
If you don't walk into something once in a while, you're not walking enough!