Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hi everyone,

I have found a T-18 locally (New England) for sale, it matches my mission and it seems in great shape. I'm working with the seller, but in the mean time, I've gone through the lost of Thorp Ambassador list and can't seem to find an active CFI betweren here and Texas that's willing to teach in a Thorp. My insurance broker attempted to get quotes from 5 different insurance companies, and only two replied. The best rate I could get was $1904/yr, (insuring the hull value for a $25k purchase price) and I must get 10 hours dual with an instructor that has at least 750TT, 250 Tailwheel, and 25 in type. This all seems pretty ridiculous to me. It's not like insurance companies will negotiate on any of this, so I'm not really sure what to do. I was thinking full hull coverage would be a little more than half that, and the restrictions on the CFI seem pretty unreasonable/so far impossible to find.

I am a CFI, ATP with 7200TT and 90 tailwheel.

Thanks in advance,

- DAN

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N394AC
S/N 1087

Would they insure you after so many hours PIC? IOW, if you self insure for the first XX hours would they insure you?

Not saying it is the ideal situation, but have known several people with RV's that basically just flew the aircraft until they met the requirement to get insurance.

It's getting a bit ridiculous.

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Rob
RV-3 SN 45 (project)
S-18 SN 46 (build in progress)
RV-6A SN 24654 (flying)
KEWK

Thanks for the reply.

Are Thorps more accident prone than other aircraft or are rates just going nuts? I have a friend who has thousands of hours in taildraggers, and hundreds in an RV-6, I'd feel more comfortable with someone like him. I understand the T-18 is 10-15 kts faster on final than the RV, but they've gotta be pretty comparable right?

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N394AC
S/N 1087

They are comparable in every way… except they handle better.
Insurance is outrageous in every facet of life.
If you do not want to self insure as mentioned above, let me know. I’ll do it, or find someone who will.
Cubes

Any way that I can send you a message Cubes? Found a different thorp that I need assistance getting home, also in NH.

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N394AC
S/N 1087

If Cubes is unable, I might be able to help. Trouble is, I'm a million miles away (Oregon) and not inexpensive (aka, I value my time highly). Cell fife-zero-tree - 887-088niner if you want to get in touch.

CFI, Zillion tailwheel hours, at least 500 in the three T-18s I have owned or currently own.

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Philip Mandel
N118BC
S/N 957
Beaverton OR

Hey everyone!

I’m the proud new owner of N394AC SN 1087. I did find a CFI with a ton of RV time and 5 hours in a T-18, and he brought the airplane home for me. Then we did a couple hours of dual, and I’m up to about 4 solo in it. I took my wife up last night.

I have to say, it’s a lot less nippy on the ground than I thought it would be. I’ve been doing mostly no flap or half flap wheel landings, and have been using most of my 3500 home strip, but every landing is getting better. I will be a lot more active in the community now that I have some experience to build off of.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice and offered help!


Hopefully in a few more hours I’ll be able to list myself as a Thorp CFI.

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N394AC
S/N 1087

Awesome! Congrats. I’m glad it worked out.
Cubes

Pictures of your new bird please!!!!

P.S. At least your fuel gauge is still in compliance with the regulation. As the fuel gauge is only required to be accurate when the tank is empty.

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N394AC
S/N 1087