Minimum Experience and VLJ's (was Eclipse 500)

Mike,

You make some good points. However, I know of a couple of "deep pocket"
pilots that have their aircraft in LLC's and then simply
"self-insure". Since they have more money than experience, no
insurance company will insure them, so they take on the risk
themselves...and we are talking King Airs in this cause vs. a VLJ.

BJ

Mike Rapoport wrote:

I don't know about VLJ (actually nobody has ever gotten insured in one!) but
for turbines like MU-2, CJ-2 they want to see ATP, 2500TT, 1000 multi and
100 make and model minimium. This is from my experience trying to insure a
MU-2. It is possible to get coverage with less but there will only be a
couple of companies quoting and it will be expensive with a lot of
restrictions. These restrictions can be very expensive to comply with. It
is very ezpensive to fly off 100 or more hours with a pro-pilot babysitting
you. If you just go flying then it will cost at least $50,000 to get the
100hrs and if you try to actually go places you will be paying for hotels,
meals, non flying time ect. I think that this will be one of the biggest
limitation to the VLJ market. Ask yourself: "How many people do I
personally know that have ALL of the following

1) $1.5M (todays dollars) to spend on an airplane and intend to do it.
2) One year flying with a real pro-pilot. Keep in mind that the pro pilot
is taking up useful load, you aren't going to Aspen with the family and
skis.
3) One week per year to dedicate to recurrent training costing $10,000/yr
if you fly there in your VLJ
4) At least one week per year spent taking the airplane to service centers,
flying the airline back and then going to retrieve the airplane.
5) Insurance for the typical owner/operator will probably be $20-30,000.

When you start thinking about all these costs and issues, the market
suddenly isn't so big. Most people who have $1.5MM to spend on an airplane
and are willing to put up with the other costs and hassles probably already
have a jet. The cost of the actual airplane is only the first hurdle.

Mike
MU-2

"john smith" wrote in message
.. .


Several posters have stated that the owner/operator of the new VLJ's will
not have the "necessary" skills to fly in the current environment.
Several numbers have been thrown out, but no one has said what the minimum
annual flight hours are to be accepted as proficient by the detractors.

How much does one have to fly annually/monthly to be considered safe and
competent to fly a VLJ in the flight levels?