You need to check your insurance coverage. Some companies won't cover you if you're using your airplane for "Hazardous Activities".
And they count search flying as a Hazardous Activity.
+1 For sure. An eyeopener and non-starter for many. Heck for that matter, if you have supplemental health coverage you might
want to take a look at everything
that doesn't cover, either.
Looking at the 10 or so most active pilots in my wing, maybe 1-2 own their own or part of an airplane.
And at least one is a low-wing.
MOAs don't have DF gear, proper radios, will have unfamiliar instruments and nav, etc. Not to mention the
very real risk of "I'm taking my plane and going home..." mid-mission. They also aren't on standby with
priority hangar placement and an assurance they are available.
Flying costs also aren't just avgas, there may also be landing fees, hangar rental or de-ice costs in the winter,
etc., etc. Items CAP doesn't even think about in most wings.
How many aircrew will be willing to take the word of someone they have never met that the plane is up to
CAP spec? How much additional admin overhead would be required to confirm that sort of thing?
Is CAP going to require an annual every 100 hours like they do with their planes? And if not, why are they necessary
on CAP's? You either need them or you don't.
My guess on this is that with the continued decrease in membership, someone put on their "Goode Idear hatŪ" and is at least
trying to make an argument about MOAs as a viable alternative to the next aircraft purchase and even possibly as
an avenue to reducing the fleet further.
They are likely to put the hat back in the box sorely disappointed about the state of GA in the US today. Not to mention
how much more expensive it will be per hour for MOAs without central MX.
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