There will come a time in my life when I must quit flying. This is the big creeping dread that hangs around in the back of my mind. It scares me.
Not only do I love to fly, I love just thinking about being up in the wild blue yonder. I love caring for my plane — a wash and wax job is good for my soul. I like planning my next flight and visualizing it. I like being at the airport and hanging out with other pilots. I like it all.
Perhaps the most frightening part of the thought of me not flying is that the pilot in me has become part of my persona. What will people think of me if I am no longer a pilot? For that matter, what will I think of me? Is there life after flying?
This is troubling stuff that I have put off thinking about for all these years. I’m not old, but others are starting to mistakenly think I am. Advancing years are forcing me to face reality. So I ask myself, “How will it end?”
I’m a BasicMed pilot so it may end abruptly if I have a serious health issue and my doctor advises me to stop flying as pilot in command.
Another possible exit path is when I cannot obtain reasonably priced aircraft liability insurance. Even if my health holds, insurance companies may refuse to insure me due solely to advancing age. If that happens I will likely fly without insurance.
WHAT?
Allow me to explain.
In the beginning, my Creator blessed me with two things: Very good health throughout my entire life and an awesome desire and ability to fly airplanes. I am eternally grateful for these things and will say so upon reaching the Pearly Gates.
Until I get there, however, I have to manage my affairs in such a manner that I can continue to fly as long as my health permits. Let there be no doubt: I really, really, really love to fly.
Like many pilots of advancing age, I have accumulated considerable assets that I hope to pass on to my spouse and children. I have always owned an appropriate amount of liability insurance to protect those assets.
Let me say clearly that I believe that the aviation insurance industry premiums that I have been charged over the years have been entirely reasonable.
On the other hand, I was careful to choose a simple aircraft to keep insurance rates low. I own a 1977 Cherokee Piper Warrior II (PA28-161), a single-engine, four-seat, fixed-gear beauty. This solid platform is the plane I want to fly until I can no longer fly.
I have a clean no accident or incident record and have always paid less than $1,000 a year for liability and hull coverage.
My Plan A is to continue to purchase this insurance coverage as long as it is offered and the rates remain reasonable. But what happens if the aviation insurance industry takes the position that it will no longer sell me reasonably priced insurance?
As mentioned above, I really, really, really love to fly. The thought of not being able to do so is dangerous for me as it sets up a near cardiac arrest level of stress. Enter Plan B: No insurance.
I am entirely serious when I say that I will continue to fly without insurance. There is, however, one important qualifier: I must give up flying anyone in my plane except my spouse, no exceptions. Also I fly good weather VFR daytime only and will continue to do so.
There will be some small measure of risk, but I will assume those risks and keep right on flying.
Some may believe that “my fly buddies would never sue me.” That may be true in certain minor cases, but if an occupant of your plane suffers serious injury or death, his or her family has the ability to sue for recovery of damages and that is true regardless of wrongdoing on your part. Indeed, that is part of the reason that pilots purchase liability insurance in the first place.
One of the risks that I will assume is the risk of hull loss. If I wreck or damage my plane, I am the one who will pay for repair or replacement if I choose to do so. So be it.
I also assume the risk of damaging persons or property on the ground. I may have to compensate anyone I injure or property I damage on the ground. Under rare circumstances, this could happen, but the chances of me crashing into a person or super valuable property is slim compared to landing in trees or a field.
I am a resident of Missouri and there is no state or federal law requirement that I maintain insurance on my airplane.
According to a 2015 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 11 states have some form of liability insurance or aircraft financial responsibility requirement for general aviation aircraft. In Missouri, we have the freedom (from government) to choose to fly small general aviation aircraft uninsured for non-commercial purposes if we so choose.
In the end what I am doing is balancing two issues — the prospect of me never flying again versus assuming the risks of flight without insurance.
I am not an aviation lawyer or insurance expert, I am just a pilot who really, really, really loves to fly and I am willing to assume some risk in order to continue to do so.
My plan is to get a glider rating when that time comes.
Enjoying the discussion. Now 77 with 9 owned aircraft and flying for 57 years. Insured. More carefully choosing flights – only clear and VFR. I understand the issues as I have not quite yet reached the time for me to walk away. I do think that flying with at least liability coverage is our social obligation.
So you believe you’re superman? That somehow because you’ve been healthy your whole life that you’ll somehow escape the pesky effects of aging that others are saddled with? Why do you think insurance is so much more expensive as you age? Because the older you get the more your physical abilities degrade. That’s a simple universal fact of life. Your experience as a pilot can make up for that, for a while. But eventually those lines cross and you become an increasingly risky pilot with each passing day.
Oh so you accept your mortality and are ok with you and your wife going out in a ball of flames when your experience can no longer overcome your reduced ability. Great. But what about the people around you who are impacted. This isn’t just about the financial liability that as someone else noted you’d be potentially laying on the shoulders of your surviving family. This is about the potential trauma and life destruction you could bring to those on the ground where your final moments are realized.
I’m sorry, but this is an incredibly arrogant and incredibly selfish take. Look, my empathetic side feels what you feel here. The knowledge of how painful it would be to be told you can no longer fly. To lose that innate part of who you are. But you accepted that eventuality the day you got into the left seat of an airplane. It hurts, it’s hard, but for everyone of us the day comes when we have to accept it’s done. Some of us get the luxury of making that determination ourselves, others of us have it thrust upon us by doctors and the FAA. But that day is there for every one of us, you sir are no different than anyone else.
I hear you Miller, but you have misinterpreted my point. First of all, I don’t think I’m Superman and as you presume, “you’ve been healthy your whole life”. Reality set in in 2004 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. FAA grounded me for 3 years and rightfully so, but I made it back to life and flying despite the doctors’ grim predictions that my chances were slim. I made it back because the “people around me who were impacted” were my support. So, I have NOT been healthy my whole life with no Superman syndrome here nor concerns strictly about financial liability. Perhaps if you read my comments more carefully and not jump to erroneous conclusions, you will realize that no one will have to tell me I can no longer fly. I have recently made that decision for myself even though I am healthy enough and have the ability to continue. I’m voluntarily hanging up my wings for the reasons mentioned in my comments and looking forward to other things in life with family and friends. That’s not being “arrogant and selfish”. That’s simply being able to happily move on with fond memories and no regrets. It appears you’ve reduced my suggestion to not fly without liability insurance as strictly a financial concern of mine with no concern about the human element. Not true. Thus, it leads me to question if your false accusations, presumptions and misinterpretation of my comments are what is truly “incredibly arrogant”. No, I am “no different than anyone else” never thought I was, never think I will be, but in consideration of your negative and undeserved aggressive tone, perhaps you should ask yourself if it is remotely possible that you think YOU are. All that being said, as fellow pilots with that commonality and unbreakable bond regardless of our mutual aggressive comments, I TRULY wish you safe, clear and smooth skies.
So if you crash into a house, school bus, school yard, playground, public park etc. and wipe out children and adults, you will be held responsible and considered irresponsible for not having liability insurance. This would be a family’s nightmare and an attorney’s dream. Even if you don’t live through it, you can bet your family will be dragged into it with the stress and consequences that come with it. Losing you would be bad enough for them—and then all that????. DON’T FLY WITHOUT INSURANCE!!!!!
On a separate note, I’ve been a pilot for 51 years. I have owned 5 airplanes, have made many friends, enjoyed the travel, the fun and camaraderie but have realized that it’s time to hang it up. I am healthy, ok on basic med, safe and able to fly, but as time goes on, the reality for me to obtain insurance on a high-performance airplane (I owned 3 Bonanzas) is getting more difficult. I’ve been tempted to buy a simple Cessna 150, Ercoupe or even a light sport (but they are too expensive) while enjoying reasonable insurance quotes. However, the used market prices are absurd. Asking prices for a typical 50+ year old trainer with high engine time or worse, past tbo with lousy paint, worn interior, ancient radios and no ADSB are $35 to $45K. Ridiculous. I chuckle at the advertisers who claim, ” Flies straight” (well isn’t it supposed to Jack?) or “Past tbo but compressions are strong and runs smooth” (Really? Well what about the crankshaft, cams, mags, bearings, case integrity, mounts, harnesses, carburetor or fuel injection components and charging system Bunky?) Long story short and after much thought and emotion, I have decided to hang it up. I never thought I’d see the day, but as time goes on, I have accepted it and, in a way, relieved. As an owner who has done my own maintenance per FAA regs and assisted my IA, my increasing arthritis and aging body are saying “enough is enough”. Twisting wrenches and my body into a pretzel to remove interiors, access panels, grease fittings and standing on my head under a panel for access creates a 3 day recovery from pain and discomfort. Use a shop you say? No thanks. That brings up money and trust issues.
The responsibility of owning an airplane is big considering maintenance, insurance, hangar fees, annual inspections, currency requirements, fuel costs etc. etc.
At the end of the day, enjoy every minute of it that you can, and don’t think about quitting until realize you must for the benefit of your family, your friends and mostly, yourself. When the time comes, you’ll know and believe it or not, you will be ready to move on, be happy, have beautiful memories and do other fulfilling things in life.
Jim: I agree with you concerning the author crashing into something/someone.
But I disagree with you hanging it up because 150s are so high in price. You are older and realize reactions are slower and eyes are dimmer. That’s perfect for a 150, low and slow.
I am ‘69 and own my first aircraft for 2 yrs cherokee 160 hp.
You also fail to realize something. The push is on for 1000s of new pilots for airlines/etc. That is one of many driving forces increasing prices. I and you should think of our planes as an investment that increases in value, not decreasing with age, like cars.
Bob
Licensed since ‘77
I will be 89 in July and have been flying since I was 16 in high school. Owned planes, been in clubs and now just rent. Went from 2nd class, to 3rd class, to Sport Pilot and now Basic Med from the first day it was approved. Just renewed Basic Med for another 2 years by passing the written. Hope i can make it till 91. Fly about 2-3 times a month. Wife also a pilot but can no longer get in the plane due to health issues. Each flight I accept as my last but when I put the plane away I am thankful there will be another one. Enjoy what you have . Am a member of the UFO and there are many other pilots over 80 still flying. BUT when I have to slide over to the right seat I will still be flying.
Insurance considerations notwithstanding, I found unique perspective from a shop floor level. Witnessing 50 years of older pilots navigating from pre- and post-retirement stages of aviating provided insight into this emotional transition, both enlightening and alarming.
In my experience, the transition to non-flying status is met by some with grace, dignity, and carefully-processed analysis; for others, it is a denial too often captured and memorialized with an unexpected and unanticipated event. For every three of the former, there is one of the latter.
One such example of the latter found himself short of the runway, gear up, and remarkably unscathed, at an airport and in an airplane he no longer recognized. This, from the brain tumor that took over at the worst of times.
That tumor did not appear overnight, and his cognitive skills were deteriorating around him. This was recognized at the shop floor level, but failed to indicate a blip to he or his AME.
He lived through the event and managed to thrive in his remaining years, but it took months before he quit walking in circles out in the hangar.
The other side of this is a bit more uplifting, and many career aviators simply fix a date in time and announce a permanent grounding as a statement of fact; a hard date not unlike that found by an addict gone straight.
In the end, it comes to all of us, one way or the other.
I am currently on flight hiatus. I has a pacemaker installed last Halloween and submitted all of the required testing paperwork early in January after consulting with my AME. He advised me it looked fine. OK City will give no idea when I will be able to obtain a special issuance to fly again as PIC. I am able to go up with other pilots, but I am limited to their destinations and schedules. In all this, I am sadly reminded of the old adage. A pilot can only have two unhappy days – and they cannot be the same day. The first is when he or she goes to the airport knowing it will be the last flight. The second bad day is when they go to the airport NOT knowing it will be the last flight. The first day is preferable.
You have eloquently expressed a sentiment many of us are afraid to deal with. In Canada, unfortunately, the option of BasicMed does not exist, so the loss of an aviation medical brings a sudden, unplanned for end to a pilot’s time in the air.
Ok, I will take the bait Loran, why are you or your editor reversing the designation of your airplane. It is a Piper Cherokee, not a Cherokee Piper. This is a big enough anomaly to elicit curiosity about you and your background.
Keep a low profile. My insurance company would insure me only if I had a type rated or CFI rated pilot with me. I will be 86 in June have both the Wright and Taylor awards ATP, A&P and in perfect health. All my assets are ether in a corporation or trusts. My aviation attorney suggested flying with out insurance. I fly a complex twin and the situation might be different if I flew fixed gear single.
You shouldn’t draw attention to yourself, Donna Prima.
And you should not publicize state where the legislature “ hasn’t gotten around “ to restricting your freedom … yet.
Sorry for the typos. Still drinking my first cup of coffee this morning, Donna.
Edit f(x) GAN ?
I agree 100% with Loran. The problem with insurance is that, heaven forbid, there was an incident or an accident the insurance company would make every effort to prove that the pilot was responsible, improper hardware was used, bad or missing logbook entry, anything, to prove that something was incorrect and that they refuse to pay for the damage that occurred. It’s gambling, and the odds are stacked in the insurance company’s favor.
All that said, I hope and pray that I recognize that point when it’s time to hang up the goggles and stop flying before I become a hazard to the public. Until then, I plan to fly as often as practical.
You just keep flying Loran, your plan is right on target. And remember, many (younger) pilots are often thrilled to fly with someone, just to be in that right seat. If an event occurs, they can get your cherised Warrior back on the ground. Go fly.
This article reflects how I feel about having to give up flying. When I first owned an aeroplane (a Luscombe 8A) no insurance was required and I didn’t carry any. But we are mow mandated here in the UK to carry insurance
Loran,
Frankly, you scare me. The fact that you are willing “to assume some risks” by flying after you are no longer medically insurable does not mean other people are willing to assume the risks of a worst-case scenario. You seem to believe that by having sufficient funds to cover any liability claim somehow would make everything OK for the victims of property loss, injury, or death. And if the worst case scenario takes you out of the picture, then any claimants would be forced to pursue claims against your heirs through the courts instead of filing a claim with an insurance company. We as the pilot community are largely self-policing. There are no law enforcement traffic units patrolling around watching out for our (and the non-flying public’s) safety. We have to do it ourselves. Being old and wealthy does not give us a pass. That having been said, I hope you and I have many more years of healthy flying.
He said that he would continue flying as long as he could continue to pass the BasicMed requirements.
I know a number of older pilots , over 80 yo, that continue to fly simple aircraft without hull insurance, but continue to have liability insurance.
Many airports and/or hangar operators require insurance as a condition for using their facilities. No insurance, no hangar, no tiedown, no use of the runway. In many cases this will put the kabosh on flying uninsured.
They want to be ‘additionally named insured’ on the liability part of the insurance, which pilots should be able to get.
They don’t care about the hull insurance, which some pilots over 80 can’t get.
So, no problem renting a hangar.
A know a pilot who flies a light sport with folding wings. So he trailers it to the airport, sets it up, and flies….no hangar or tiedown needed.