One solution might be to buy a flying Sonex, if you have a CFI willing to instruct in it. Then you can get as much instruction as you or the insurance company wants and then sell it to another Sonex builder... as long as the insurance company is willing to at least offer insurance for dual instruction.
I purchased my Sonex in Sep '15; I had Zero Sonex flight-time and had liability only (AOPA) for first year at about $700. Second year I added hull coverage for $25k hull (with only 20 Sonex flight hours) for only about $50 more. My wife was diagnosed with Stage 4 TNB cancer the week after I flew the Sonex home, so I've had very little time to fly. I logged 2 hours back in October '16 and then none until last weekend. AOPA wanted me to get five hours with a CFI having 25 hours in type due to not flying this past year. I told them the EAA LODA list shows no such CFI exists (who have a LODA). So we negotiated a solution: I get 3 hours PIC on my own prior to current coverage expiring and they charge me $90 more. A no-brainer! So, I got my BFR last Saturday and flew my Sonex on Sunday and Monday logging over 3 hours in my plane (which was great, BTW...I really enjoy flying it and the Corvair ran smooth as silk). Moral of my story: take liability if that's all you can do. Then, build time and get hull coverage when possible. And, don't hesitate to negotiate. Cheers, Speed
Plans built Sonex #50 (2002); now with Corvair-100hp and Aux Wing tanks (2009); 4th owner (2015). N77ZZ @ KHWY ... "Speed" (my old Air Force callsign)
Following-up on this thread, I want to report that we've had some good discussions with Avemco Insurance Company, and we're happy to announce that they have been added to our web site today: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/index.html ... nce-112917
Like First Flight Insurance Group, Avemco accepts orientation flight time in-type with regular pilots (no requirement for flight time with a CFI), or time in similar handling aircraft.
Taildragger Waiex in progress, tail done, wings done, about to mate wings to fuse, then cowl, canopy, paint (photos): flush rivets, turbo aerovee, acro ailerons (I built my RV7A and happily flew it for about 500 hrs)
markschaible wrote:Avemco accepts orientation flight time in-type with regular pilots (no requirement for flight time with a CFI), or time in similar handling aircraft.
I've had Avemco insurance for a number of years now. Good company and easy to deal with.
Dale Williams N319WF @ 6J2 Myunn - "daughter of Cleanex" 120 HP - 3.0 Corvair Tail Wheel - Center Stick Signature Finish 2200 Paint Job 165.2 hours / Status - Flying Member # 109 - Florida Sonex Association