I started on my 185 with 6.00x6 tires fully inflated. When I switched to 8.50x6 at 22 psi. to meet the requirements of my TrickAir penetration skis STC, my landings improved instantaneously. The small hard tires absorb nothing. The bigger tires forgive.

In a few winters of flying I’ve learned to three point, wheel land, and the “interrupted three point method. I like that term. Quite descriptive. I’ve managed some strong crosswinds, but don’t go looking for them yet.

Flying all summer on amphibs makes me rusty on wheels.

The insurance situation continues to devolve.

After a year or two with AVEMCO, I went with some broker or another last year. He gave me a cool Yeti tumbler with my N number on it. Premium was something in the low 3’s, as I recall. AVEMCO had quoted about $3600 or a little more.

Wanting to get a jump on my April renewal, I called AVEMCO yesterday. $5000!!! I did increase the hull value by 10% or so, but that’s a 50% increase in premium. That’s for 1M/100K (as much as they’ll sell me), 1700TT, 500TW, 400TIT, 50/12 mos, $250k hull. I’m turning 60 this year, and the plan was to get with someone I can keep, so I’ll have something of a relationship to trade on when I get to the accursed 70. But $5000 for 100K sublimits, with no end in sight and a hot Skywagon market, makes me consider trading down.

I’d like to get with a broker I can keep for the long term — someone who does a lot of Skywagons. I’ve heard that BWI isn’t what it once was, but I don’t know what that means. Their “Skywagon Program” looks interesting. They’re closed until next week. I’ve gotten recommendations from SGOTI for Ladd Gardner. Beyond that, there’s AOPA and EAA/Falcon, who presumably have a strong interest in piston GA.

Any suggestions from this list or suggestions for others?

There are several reputable insurance guys here on BT. They are the agents, not the underwriters/carriers or whatever name applies in insurance gobbledy gook.

There is simply not enough bad I can say about the insurance industry so finding reasonableness is going to be tough.

I will simply say that I use Frank Kimmel, Kimmel Aviation out of Greenwood, MS. The Kimmel family cut their teeth on Ag Aviation Insurance many years ago but now reach out to just about everything. I think Frank told me he has 4,000 active accounts.

From a supply/demand perspective, think about it. For the last 18 months there has been a frenzy of aircraft buying and rapidly inflating prices. Insurance was not an option in 95% of the cases. The suppliers of aircraft insurance are looking at the perfect seller's market. I doubt loses have much to do with it.

Jg

I have had great results with Frank. He owns a 180, has thousands of hours in tailwheel planes...

That’s a new name to me. Thanks.

Hi Stuart,

I sold my 1984 C-185 to Ladd Gardner 6 years ago and he still has it (stupidest thing I ever did but that is another story). He is a great guy but I have not used him for my insurance on my Baron and Aerobat because I am trying to stick with Falcon. I am 68 and was told it was best not to jump around so as I age it might help getting insurance

I did use BWI the entire 12 years I had my 185 and they were great but as I mentioned, that was 6 years ago so things may have gone south. The last couple of years I dealt with I think Matt who I think is Bill's son but again, I am 68 and the memory is not what it once was.

Good luck it that is even possible in todays insurance market

Mine is on BWI, I'm happy with them. I'm paying low $3k for 250,000 hull. That's all the hull they cold give me, although I think the plane is worth more now. Its with USAIG.

Andy

I was considering buying a 180 and of course a big concern was finding reasonable insurance. BWI quoted me very reasonably for a new pilot with just over 100 hours. They even laid down their required path to lower insurance i.e. TW endorsement, time in type, etc. and told me how much I would be able to reduce it if I met those requirements in the first year.

I don't think this is true. If you look through the accident reports, there is almost always a 180 or 185 groundloop within the last month. And most of them are only getting parted out, not rebuilt.

The insurance folks need to revise their requirements to a time in type and also XXX takeoffs and landings.

Tim

I insure my Wagon and Supercub through BWI.

The appeal to insuring with them is their 180/185 program. If you have two planes insured with them it cuts the premium for the second or lower value plane in half. Downside is it takes away the open pilot requirements and changes them to named pilots only.

Not a problem for most but I have buddies with wagons and cubs that I don’t mind them taking my plane around the patch. It’s a pain to get their hours to “name” them. You’ll end up letting someone fly your plane essentially uninsured.

Ya...be careful of this notion. If you were to tell your insurance company that you let people unnamed pilots fly it they will undoubtably cancel your policy. What they really mean is "we will insure it only if you don't allow unamed pilot's to fly it" vs. it will not be insured when unnamed pilots's fly it.

ASsk me how I know.

Leigh Smith flew down yesterday and proceeded to kick my ass all over the Houston area today. The winds are 10-14 knots and we only landed crosswind. Its raining and just over all nasty. To finish off the day we did 3 landings back where the plane is based at TX42 which is a 35 foot wide asphalt strip. I saw improvement throughout the day only to be humbled with less than graceful arrivals back at home base. I need a drink or ten. Actually, I just need rest and to tattoo AILERON on the inside of my eyelids. Holy %#$@ what day.

I don't think this is true. If you look through the accident reports, there is almost always a 180 or 185 groundloop within the last month. And most of them are only getting parted out, not rebuilt.

The insurance folks need to revise their requirements to a time in type and also XXX takeoffs and landings.

Tim

We’ve had solid cold and got good ice and big snow storm on the way

Time to change her shoes!

“ tattoo AILERON on the inside of my eyelid” Isn’t that what he accomplished today?
Drink a glass of water with each of those other libations. I seem to remember rudder and aileron. I think they are tattoo’d on both eyelids…. If the TD can be flown again tomorrow you did great….