Douglas W. Johnson, MD PA

8265 Riding Club Road

Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 642-6016 phone

(904) 202-7020 fax

Lancair1@bellsouth.net

www.frogdocs.com

There were several issues presented today that require my additional comments on the insurance/training issue.  AIG cannot possibly demand that each and every one of those aircraft inspected by Lancair need to be reinspected.  Now, keep in mind that in my last post I stated that if the aircraft has been sold then a re-inspection would be required.  Further, while I greatly respect Jeff Edwards' enthusiasm for this subject, I do disagree with certain of his assessments.  Tim Wilson's day job has become essentially one totally devoted to scheduling inspections.  When and if Lancair inspections become too numerous for Tim to handle, you can be assured Lancair will expand the number of inspectors to handle the demand.  While the cost for such an inspection can be "significant," what is the value to the owner of finding a potentially devastating flaw and thereby preventing property damage and personal injury?

Now on to the issue of instruction.  No doubt, Jeff is a knowledgable source who has cited statistics which should assist the insurance industry and the FAA in determining what is the root cause of accidents.  What neither Jeff nor Pete can do is look into the mind of the pilot at any time much less at a time immediately prior to or during any flight.  They cannot be there when the pilot decides that he or she will disregard the requirements of Part 91 regarding a current BFR, instrument approach currency, night or day landing requirements, or even a current medical.  The pilot is the problem and the pilot needs to be trained and reminded of the hazards of flight.  That pilot needs to know that it is the initial go-no go decision that is the most important decision he can make for the entire flight.  It is through repetative training that this issue is driven home!  Now, what Jeff and Pete must do is find a way to effectively communicate.  This issue is bigger than the both of them.  In their communications, they must come up with a common syllabus and a common check list with which to teach and from which to report on those items taught during the training.  This common check list, when completed and delivered to Lancair, will be the basis for the issuance of  the insurance inspection form.  I invite Jeff to coordinate his efforts with Pete before setting a date for a meeting of any kind wherein he wishes Pete to participate.

Finally, please do not assume that Lancair is working with AIG because it is insured with AIG.  That is not the case.  I have spoken with Starr Insurance, now managed by Jim Anderson, who refuses to insure Lancairs due to its loss history.  I have not sought out other insurance companies but, as I reported in my last post, I did hear that Avemco was starting to insure Lancair aircraft.  I would ask that all report here on the LML our experiences with other insurance companies.  You want insurance at reasonable rates?  Start training now and fly like you have been trained. 

This is not a personality contest...its not "I like Pete" or "I like Jeff."  Its all about getting a common training syllabus and a common check list which Lancair can endorse and use as a standard from which to issue an insurance certificate. 

Joe