Need RV-4 Checkout in Spokane

[Xkuzme1]

Hey guys, I'm am looking at the possibility of buying an Rv-4 in Spokane soon. I do not live anywhere close and the insurance company says that I'd need a checkout from a CFI.

Anyone set me in the right direction?

Thanks!

X

[SHIPCHIEF]

I think it will be difficult to get a checkout in an RV-4. There are no rear seat rudder pedals, brakes or throttle on most.
My wife took training from Mike Seager in Vernonia Oregon. He teaches in an RV-7. After she mastered that, he got her set up in her RV-4 (I flew the -4 to Scapoose for her).
He taxied with her and did a brief blast down the runway without taking off, then got out and let her fly.
Mike is the RV- checkout instructor in the Northwet that the insurance company's like to see in your logbook.
Yes it does cost a bit, but at was also very fun. Mike is a great guy.

[Infidel]

Double check with your insurance company if they're adamant about it being in a -4 model. My insurance company accepted my transition and tailwheel training in a -6 model. After flying a -6 from the right seat (to acclimate left hand throttle control), the -4 is a piece of cake.

[fixnflyguy]

If its the RV-4 in Spokane on Brainstormers your looking at that is all white, it has rear seat controls. That would certainly help. Looks like a nice plane..but then it looks exactly like my all-white RV-4 (Casper), so I'm partial!

[SMRacer]

Seems that different insurance companies have different levels of tolerance for inexperience and training in the RV series.

My first year I insured my RV-4 through EAA, and they (rightfully) demanded transition training. I did 10 hours in a RV-7 since I had very low tail wheel time. Approximately $1000 annual premium.

My second year I insured through AOPA. No problems and again about $1000 annual premium.

Now here's where the story gets interesting. I purchased a RV-8 and went back to AOPA for another policy. They demanded more transition training. I had 200 hours in my RV-4 AND previous transition training in the RV-7. What could a small amount of training possibly do to make me more insurable. Proposed annual premium about $1300 for the RV-8 (plus the demand for training)

So I went to NationAir for a quote. No training requirement and $1000 annual premium.

What I'm getting at is that NationAir seems to understand RVs. Jenny used to be the go to person, but I think she has been promoted, and Shanna now handles the RVs.

Do yourself a favor and talk with NationAir before you decide who to insure with.

I realize this thread was a request for transition training, but I think it's relevant to note that most of this training is as a result of demands from insurance companies. And those demands will differ greatly between insurers.

Jim
N444JT

[acam37]

As checkouts or time in type are concerned, what proof is required by an insurance company? When I got insurance for my C-172 all they did was ask me a few questions over the phone. I could have lied. One insurance company I called regarding my RV-4 required only 5 hours tail wheel time, but never asked me to send proof.

[SMRacer]

If you're going to lie to an insurance company on your application you might just as well go without insurance. They will just invalidate your coverage when you make a claim. If enough money is involved, they will get to the truth.

Jim
N444JT

[CATPart]

I was very recently new to the RV4 also (bought one last month) and had trouble getting insurance. I quoted thru EAA (Falcon) and NationAir. Since I was a newbie, the only underwriter that would quote me for both companies was US Specialty. All US Specialty wants is a signoff from a CFI with RV experience. The CFI will have to provide his time in the RV so they can approve him/her. US Specialty had no requirement of "transition training" or specific number of hours. They just wanted the CFI signoff.

Anyway, I never was able to get the signoff so now I am just flying off some hours in the pattern. I am still waiting to hear back from them how many hours I need to fly before they will give me coverage. The previous quote was 500/yr with the cfi signoff, for liability only.

[JonJay]

Hook up with Mike Seager. I bet he can come up with a strategy to get you checked out and into that airplane. This ain't his first rodeo.

[SHIPCHIEF]

Here is a link to transition trainers:

http://www.vansairforce.net/transition_training.htm