Wish to train in my own R44

[cherminator]

I want to purchase my own R44 and then take my private pilots license training in it. Someone told me that no one would insure my R44 unless I was already a pilot. Is this true? If not, who will give me insurance on my R44 While learning to fly?

[cherminator]

I live in Canada by the way, if that makes a difference.

[Copterpilot213]

I don't know, but I wish I had that problem!

[Copterpilot213]

Oh I just thought of this... I've heard most people that can afford to buy their own helicopter will go to a flight school and lease it to them in return for free flight training, insurance for the aircraft during the terms of the lease and free maintenance and fuel and such.

[cherminator]

Oh I just thought of this... I've heard most people that can afford to buy their own helicopter will go to a flight school and lease it to them in return for free flight training, insurance for the aircraft during the terms of the lease and free maintenance and fuel and such.

 

The school that has offered to train me in my own machine doesn't train in piston machines as they only have turbines. I guess one option is to ask them to insure the machine for me with their insurance, but I don't want to ask unless I have no other alternatives as they are already offering to do for me something they normally wouldn't do. They mostly train military and police forces from around the world in advanced flight training, especially mountain flying.

[67november]

I don't know where in Canada you're at but I'd suggest you get ahold of rotorheadrob and/or Helilog56 on vertical mag. rob owns a heliflight school using b47g's for training and H56 is a part time instructor when he's not flying sky cranes.

[cherminator]

Thanks to all who responded so far. It looks like Pathfinder will insure me. Dealing with an offshore company has me concerned. I would rather get insurance in North America somewhere I think. Does anyone have any comments, good or bad, about Pathfinder?

[heligirl03]

They're the most prevalent insurer out there. Expect to pay HUGE sums, too. Good luck though!

[Paisley]

Pacific Coast Aviation Insurance - 760-431-3998. They will insure you in the R-44

[Whrilwind50]

Were in Canada are you. There are some options for you in B.C.

[MainRotor]

Pathfinder is said to be Robinson's own company, or run by the same persons. It's an offshore business, so it's legally its completely own entity. But they are the cheapest options you have, just from my understanding and from reviewing their documents.

 

I have no information about other insurance services, but with the Pathfinder one you actually agree to buy the new replacement parts or Helicopter from Robinson in case of an accident less the time you already flew with yours. Say that the total time for an R44 is 2200 hours, now you completely destroy it after 1100 flight hours. That means that they only pay 50% of your helicopter, the rest you have to pay by yourself.

 

I didn't know that they insure you if you don't have a license yet, or in other words that they allow anyone without a license (students) to solo the ship. I would specifically ask them if you can also solo.

[RotorWeed]

I want to purchase my own R44 and then take my private pilots license training in it. Someone told me that no one would insure my R44 unless I was already a pilot. Is this true? If not, who will give me insurance on my R44 While learning to fly?

 

Someone told you a load of BS. Why don’t you contact a helicopter insurance company directly? Think about it, insurance companies write policies every day for flight schools.

Why wouldn’t they write you a policy so you can learn in your private aircraft? Your instructor will have to meet their requirements, and be named on your policy. If you PM me I would be glad to give you Pathfinders contact information.

 

I use Pathfinder for my helicopter insurance, and I have had a positive exprience working with them. They have always answered my questions promptly, and directly.

 

RW

[cherminator]

Were in Canada are you. There are some options for you in B.C.

 

I live in B.C.

[cherminator]

I didn't know that they insure you if you don't have a license yet, or in other words that they allow anyone without a license (students) to solo the ship. I would specifically ask them if you can also solo.

 

I asked them yesterday and they did respond promptly stating that yes, they will insure me even when I solo as long as I have 20 hours of dual time first, with a licensed pilot who has completed the RHC safety course within the past six years and has logged at least 500 hours in helicopters, including at least 50 PIC hours in an R44 helicopter.

 

So that's good news, but I would like to explore "onshore" insurance first.

[cherminator]

Someone told you a load of BS. Why don’t you contact a helicopter insurance company directly? Think about it, insurance companies write policies every day for flight schools.

Why wouldn’t they write you a policy so you can learn in your private aircraft? Your instructor will have to meet their requirements, and be named on your policy. If you PM me I would be glad to give you Pathfinders contact information.

 

RW

 

I have since contacted Pathfinder. I did contact a couple onshore companies and they said they wouldn't insure my own machine unless I already had my license and a couple hundred hours of PIC time. The local Robinson dealer and a flight instructor who uses Robinson's both told me I would not be able to get insurance to train in my own machine as well. I have a local insurance guy looking into it for me through an aviation insurance broker right now.

[Collective Down!]

I used Sutton James for my R22, and dealt with Jamie Buffington.

 

I had about 1000 airplane and 15 helicopter when I first applied for coverage on a 160K hull, and they denied me the first time... I was persistent and called back a couple times and they eventually caved.

 

They don't particularly like owner-operators because there is no oversight, and it didn't help that I was only 22 y/o at the time.

 

But, I only had liablity insurance on it, no hull.

 

The only restriction they put on me was I had to get 25 dual in an R22 before soloing it. No big deal. Not a single other restriction other than that.

 

They don't let you pay as you go, you'll have to pay the entire premium up front, and the deductable is pretty high on the hull damage (about 10 to 15% of the hull value).

 

http://www.suttonjames.com/products/robinson.html

[cavin]

I want to purchase my own R44 and then take my private pilots license training in it. Someone told me that no one would insure my R44 unless I was already a pilot. Is this true? If not, who will give me insurance on my R44 While learning to fly?

 

I got quotes from AOPA and found London Aviation Underwriters Inc. to be the best value on my R44 andthat includes hull coverage.

[Jeff]

I don't know about insurance, but there are a couple of instructors I've seen on here that will pay you to let them be your instructor. That might help defray the cost of insurance.

 

Jeff