3rd class medical required for a 162

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:42 am

Hi,

I've just relocated to northern VA and one of the flight schools up here is operating Cessna 162s. Naturally, I want to fly them as a sport pilot with a DL as my medical. They have stated that their insurance company requires a 3rd class in order to operate a 162 solo. Anybody have experience with educating them on the matter? I've already asked for their insurance company to validate this, as I believe it may be a simple misunderstanding on the topic.

any help is greatly appreciated.

drseti · Post by **drseti** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:59 am

Most reputable insurance companies recognize the DL as the appropriate medical certificate for flying an LSA. My guess is that this is an FBO imposed policy, which they're merely blaming on their insurance company. Sounds to me as though they really don't want to rent their 162!

newamiga · Post by **newamiga** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:10 am

A couple data points. My insurance coverage on my S-LSA offers an open pilot policy, saying that any private pilot or above can fly my plane with my permission. I asked if this could be extended to any sport pilot, or a sport pilot with a certain number of hours in type. The insurance broker told me that there were no insurance companies who would extend this to sport pilots. I declined the open pilot option solely from a cost perspective. I know this is a different situation than FBO's renting. I do however know of two flight schools out in the Denver area who rent to SP's with Skycatchers and three with other LSA's.

Carl

drseti · Post by **drseti** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:18 am

Carl, the open pilot clause on my policy allows even student pilots to fly it solo, with proper endorsements. Of course, this is a commercial policy, so costs $$$$. But saying that no insurance company allows this is obviously wrong.

3Dreaming · Post by **3Dreaming** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:21 am

theskunk wrote:Hi,

I've just relocated to northern VA and one of the flight schools up here is operating Cessna 162s. Naturally, I want to fly them as a sport pilot with a DL as my medical. They have stated that their insurance company requires a 3rd class in order to operate a 162 solo. Anybody have experience with educating them on the matter? I've already asked for their insurance company to validate this, as I believe it may be a simple misunderstanding on the topic.

any help is greatly appreciated.

When I started offering sport pilot training I ran into the same problem with my insurance company. A student could fly without the medical, but as soon as they were a sport pilot the insurance required it. My agent tried to get them to change, but in the end I switched companies.

As a side note I had always been told I couldn't get insurance to allow solo in a tail wheel airplane, but the first company would insure that with no concerns.

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:24 am

I was a business aviation adviser for 3 flight schools in NC that had LSA's, so this topic isn't new to me. This school seems less than happy to ask their insurance company if it's okay, and more happy to tell me to go get a medical or "stick with dual instruction". Their attitude honestly makes me want to get my ppl elsewhere if they aren't willing to go to bad for their students on something like this.

drseti · Post by **drseti** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:25 am

Skunk, if there are any alternatives at all, then I would encourage you to vote with your wallet.

newamiga · Post by **newamiga** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:26 am

Yeah I suspected it to be incorrect Paul.. it seems that the whole insurance thing is you may eventually get what you asked for if you are persistent enough. As it is, I have two other named pilots on my plane without paying extra, but one is a CFII with over 3000 hours and the other is an ATP who flies for airlines.

Carl

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:37 am

Just spoke to them, and I truly think it's a situation of ignorance - sad part is that they have 3 sky catchers and don't allow sport pilots to solo unless they have a 3rd class medical. Funny that they will allow a sport pilot, so long as they have a 3rd class, so they are treating it more as a recreational license.

These aircraft are about 35 minutes away, next closest is 1:15. I've also indicated that they will be losing my instruction business whenever I get my medical worked out for my ppl and instrument, also.

Merlinspop · Post by **Merlinspop** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:23 am

Skunk -

Sounds like you're talking about KJYO. The school there is very highly respected for the quality of Private Pilots they produce. I suspect they're not in a big hurry to embrace the Sport Pilot as they might see that as threatening the business that they do very well.

There's another school at KGAI if you're closer to the American Legion bridge, or if you're down closer to the Woodrow Wilson, you might find Helen's bunch over at Bay Bridge more convenient. Unfortunately, I think that's about it for LSA instruction in the greater DC area. There used to be a guy out in Winchester who taught in a Champ, but I'm not sure he's still there.

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:35 am

Bruce - this group isn't Av-Ed - those guys would be phenomenal, but i'm down near RMN, so HOVA in Richmond is actually closer than JYO or GAI.

These 162's are at HEF/JYO/Warrenton (identifier escapes me). We'll see how this all shakes out.

Merlinspop · Post by **Merlinspop** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:45 pm

theskunk wrote:Bruce - this group isn't Av-Ed - those guys would be phenomenal, but i'm down near RMN, so HOVA in Richmond is actually closer than JYO or GAI.

These 162's are at HEF/JYO/Warrenton (identifier escapes me). We'll see how this all shakes out.

Given the Tecnam presence, one would think that HOVA would be an excellent option.

theskunk · Post by **theskunk** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:00 pm

HOVA at Hanover county only has a P92 Eaglet on the line :-/

dstclair · Post by **dstclair** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:02 pm

newamiga wrote:Yeah I suspected it to be incorrect Paul.. it seems that the whole insurance thing is you may eventually get what you asked for if you are persistent enough. As it is, I have two other named pilots on my plane without paying extra, but one is a CFII with over 3000 hours and the other is an ATP who flies for airlines.

Carl

My policy has an open pilot clause with a minimum of 500 total hrs and 5 hrs in type for 'appropriately rated pilots'. No extra charge.

rsteele · Post by **rsteele** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 3:05 pm

I suspect you are referring to Aviation Adventures. They are a well respected flight school. I've never heard anything bad about them on the DC Pilots list (which you may want to subscribe to if you are moving to the area). However, I've also heard they have a medical requirement. I can't physically get into a 162, so I never pursued it.

Are you tied to the 162? There was another guy operating in the Warrenton area that used to give lessons in a Champ. I had a couple and I can tell you it's a hoot to fly. I don't know if he is still giving lessons or not. He is a SP instructor, not a PPL instructor if it matters, but has years of flying experience. PM me if you want his contact info.

Ron

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