Link to PDF Version of the Newsletter.
Fall 2010 Newsletter
AOPA Online: Your aircraft is insured – how about your hangar?
By AOPA Member Products and Services Staff
July 6, 2010
Working with the National Hangar Insurance Program, AOPA Insurance Agency can secure property insurance for hangars. The National Hangar Insurance Program has been meeting the aviation property needs of insurance brokers and their clients in all 50 states. This insurance holds an A+ rating from A.M. Best, a rating which is considered “superior” in the industry.
If you own a private hangar or are required to insure the hangar you rent or lease, call AOPA Insurance Agency for a quote (800-872-2672). But before you do, have these facts ready:
• What is the value of your hangar?
• What is its square footage?
• What is the address of your hangar?
• What are the contents of your hangar?
In addition to the hangar, the policy can also cover some of the contents of your hangar such as tugs, tools and equipment. If you manage an airport, the policy may cover other building types as well.
With hangar coverage, AOPA Insurance Agency demonstrates its commitment to provide membership with aviation coverage no matter what the member’s needs. www.aopa.org © Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Speaking of Insurance . . .
One Man’s Experience
Contributed by Ken Wiegand, SAUA Director
Early November 2009 Reno-Stead Field (RTS).
How cold did it get? Some reports indicated -20° F. But no problem, I had 3 gas heaters. The temp in the hangar was set at 40°; the first floor, second and third floor thermostats were set at 55°.
What a surprise when I opened the ground floor door and was greeted by a 6 inch flood of water! And later, the second surprise, 54,000 gallons on the water bill.
One of the heaters failed on the second story and caused 6 ruptures in various frozen pipes. Ceiling fans run well when water cooled.
Patty Eddington called Belfor Restoration for me and the clean up began within 2 hours. Belfor also contracted for the restoration and did a great job.
Now, the insurance part:
I inherited the insurance agent from the previous owner and assumed that I was covered. Well, almost. It turns out that the exclusions began on about page 92 of 130 pages. A quick reading of the policy by my attorney and others did not pick up the
exclusions. The policy seemed to cover every possible loss with the exception of nuclear attack and plague.
In reality, the policy only covered actual structural loss. No coverage for personal property, equipment, furniture, appliances, etc. It did cover the extra electrical and gas used during the restoration (after much whining) but not the 54,000 gallons of water. Water is a commodity that comes out of a pipe?? Fortunately the personal property loss was minimal, but the restoration cost was over $85,000.
The point of all this is:
I now have a comprehensive policy that actually covers much more than I require and the premium is lower than the previous policy. My new hangar policy is with Travelers and is named the “National Hangar-Property Program” and is also offered through the AOPA.
I purchased this policy from the Flanagin-Leavit Insurance Agency 775-747-9710 in Reno or 530-283-4601 in Quincy.
Discuss your policy with your insurance agent face to face and go over all the elements, as it seems that some agents are not really sure what they are selling. However, you can’t go wrong with AOPA.
I can make my policy available for comparison if any one would like to view it. Also, I would assume that it can be downloaded from AOPA. Policies may vary greatly from state to state.
Speaking of Insurance . . .
Sprinkler system saves aircraft and avoids $1.5 million loss
Contributed by Don Devendorf, Batallion Chief, Prescott Fire Department
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Prescott Regional Communications Center received an automatic alarm notification of a water flow sensor activation at 0230 on June 24, 2008.
One unit from the fire department was dispatched to check the alarm. On arrival the first unit reported smoke showing from Hangar O, as well as signs that the sprinkler system had been activated.
A First Alarm Structure Response was dispatched to the airport. 3 Fire Engines, 1 Truck Company, 1 Foam Unit, 1 Battalion Chief, 1 Safety Division Chief, 3 Police units, a Life Line ambulance, and a fire investigator responded. In all , 20 personnel responded.
The fire was found to be in two hangers that shared an adjoining wall.
Upon opening the doors it was found that the fire sprinkler had extinguished the fire in the hangar of origin, but there was still a small fire in the adjoining hangar that shared a common steel wall. The second smaller fire was extinguished by hand lines. Investigation showed that the fire started in the area of a work bench. It appears that a small refrigerator may have been the cause of the heat that ignited the rest of the flammable and combustible components on the tool bench.
Of special note was the fact that the wingtip fuel tank on the plane housed next to the workbench was deformed and close to failure at the time that the automatic sprinkler system activated and kept the fire from breaching the fuel tank. Had the tank breached, aircraft fuel would have been released and much more damage would have been done before the sprinkler system would have had a chance to increase its water flow. The rescued aircraft was valued at $250,000 alone, while the value of all the building and contents was placed at $1.5 million.
Kay Scott Aviation Insurance, Inc.
Contributed by Karl Kinz, President
Kay Scott Aviation Insurance, Inc.
Kay Scott Aviation Insurance, Inc. is a full service insurance agency licensed in the Western United States specializing in “all” types of aviation related coverage, including but not limited to pleasure and business aircraft, corporate aircraft, 135 operations, airport premises, fixed based operations, flight schools along with hangar and hangar owner coverage. Our agency was established over 20 years ago with over 50 years of aviation insurance experience. Since we are located in Reno our familiarity with Reno-Tahoe International, Reno-Stead Airport and the surrounding area should go without question.
In order to fulfill the insurance needs of our clients, Kay Scott Aviation Insurance, Inc. is appointed with over 14 “A” rated insurance companies. This enables us to provide the best market available for each individual risk. Whether you are a beginning student looking for non-owned coverage, a seasoned pilot wanting to take care of your pride and joy or full service FBO, we have the capacity to provide coverage for your insurance needs.
Since we are a family owned and operated business we understand just how valuable “personalized service” can be to our clients. It would be our pleasure to assist you in obtaining a quote or if you wish to discuss your current policy or aviation insurance needs, please feel free to contact us either by phone, email or stop by. Our office is located at:
1201 Terminal Way, Suite 203
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (775)323-2225
Fax: (775)323-2804
Email: ksains@eschelon.com
Local Aviation News
Airport awarded $3.5M to improve runways
Staff Report from Reno Gazette-Journal
August 11, 2010
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $3.5 million to Reno-Stead Airport to help make improvements to two runways, Sen. Harry Reid announced earlier this week. The general aviation airport north of Reno is home to the annual National Championship Air Races. Reid said it will create 30 new construction jobs. The work calls for the addition of safety zones and improved lighting to help provide pilots with better sight lines. More than 200 aircraft are based at the airport, including firefighting planes and Nevada Army National Guard helicopters. Northern Nevada continues to show additional job opportunities, according to listings on CareerBuilder. com, despite the region’s record-high unemployment.
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Airport Authority Tabs Thompson
Reno Gazette-Journal
June 21, 2010
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority named Randi Thompson, a public relations and marketing consultant from Reno, as its new chair.
Thompson, who first was appointed to the airport board in 2005, has extensive experience in federal and statewide government relations. She is a former spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and spent nine years with the Congressional Affairs Office of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior.
Local Aviation News
Morris Ag Air wins contract
Northern Nevada Business Weekly
August 9, 2010
Morris Ag Air and Sons Inc., of Orovada won a contract from the Bureau of Land Management for $18,574 in aerial herbicide services.
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Aircraft training company to be acquired
Staff Report from Northern Nevada
Business Weekly
May 31, 2010
A Stead company that provides military aviation training and consulting services struck a letter of intent to be acquired by a publicly held company.
Tactical Air Support Inc., a five-year-old company founded by former Navy, Marine and Air Force weapons school instructors, would be acquired by Tactical Air Defense Services.
Shareholders in Tactical Air Support Inc. would receive about a 46 percent interest in Tactical Air Defense Services.
Rolland Thompson, a former commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons Training School and the president of the Reno company, would become chief executive officer of the combined companies.
The Reno company, which employs 15, operates a fleet of aircraft developed in the former Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc. It provides the aircraft and their pilots to help military pilots learn tactics.
The privately held company also trains civilians to fly high-performance jets and provides consulting and engineering services to military and civilian clients.
Tactical Air Defense Services, the acquiring company, lists a Carson City address as its executive office. Most of the company’s operating history, however, has been in Florida.
Its stock, which trades on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board, was quoted at a penny a share last week.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Tactical Air Defense Services reported a loss of $141,066 and no revenues in the first quarter of this year.
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Private Pilot Licensing!! First Solo Flights Completed!!
Robert Voss, April 30, 2010 Kim Myers, July 24, 2010
Congratulations!
National Aviation News
Business Inside Aviation
Aviation Week & Space Technology
March 15, 2010
Judge Rosemary Collyer of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has directed the FAA to make available for
press scrutiny previously confidential aircraft registration numbers, which the agency had sequestered under the decade-old Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. Judge Collyer’s Feb. 26 decision was in response to Freedom of Information Act requests filed by Pro Publica, an investigative news organization. The ruling does not permit disclosure of real-time or historical flight data, or operator names.
Stead Airport Users’ Association Update
At the Board of Director’s meeting held on August 10, 2010, the following actions were taken:
Cash on hand is $4,415.30. A check in the amount of $1,000.00 has been sent to RARF as a contribution to the Fred Michel Scholarship Fund. Currently there are 46 members.
After discussion and a vote, the following officers were elected for another one-year term:
Thomas J. Hall, President
Dave Miller, Vice President & Treasurer
Dan Ross, Secretary
Directors named:
Mike Dikum, Ken Weigand, Lew Gage, Lin Manning, Don Osborne, Mike Walsh and Terry Matter.
Calling all Aviation Enthusiasts!
September 15-19, 2010
47 Years of Reno Air Racing
For Details and Schedules, go to
www.airrace.org
Celebration & Appreciation
Skip Polak was honored for his outstanding contributions to RTS on June 27, 2010.
(L. to R.) Tom Hall, Krys Bart, Skip Polak and Marily Mora.
In Memorium
Captain Stephen S. Rullman, American Airlines, Retired
1944 – 2010
Stephen S. Rullman, age 65 of Reno, Nevada, passed away May 24, 2010 at St. Mary’s hospital. Steve died of an Aortic dissection with his loving wife Laurie at his side.
Steve was born in Omaha, Nebraska on November 18, 1944 and at age 4 relocated to Hollywood, California, with his parents and brother. His passion for flight was evident early in life, perhaps influenced by his father who was a naval aviator in WWII. He soloed at age 16 and by the age of 18 he had single and multi-engine ratings, a CFI and CFII as well. By 19 he had his commercial license and ATP license at age 23. Since flying was such a huge distraction, he left Oregon State University after his sophomore year to start his career at American Airlines. Steve was the youngest pilot ever hired by American Airlines and actually had to wait until he turned 20 to start his class.
Steve took advantage of his passion and the opportunities American offered, obtaining type ratings on most of the planes American had. He was one of the few to experience the transition from round engines to the jet age. Steve was a legend at American Airlines and retired at the top of the seniority list after 37 years with the company.
Steve’s love of aviation continued up until his sudden death. He loved airplanes, both real and virtual. He spent every chance he had flying his beloved Bonanza as well as online with his WWII squadron. Steve enjoyed many interests as well, including submarines, history, literature, the Wild West, firearms and most of all, his family.
After being a bachelor for 30 years, Steve met the love of his life in 2003. Steve shared his passions with Laurie, and they traveled in the Bonanza everywhere together.
He was teaching her to fly and they looked forward to many flights together. Steve is survived by his wife Laurie, daughter Lorissa (husband Peter Hines) and son Craig (wife Wendy) as well as his step-children Laura, Scott and Geoffrey (their spouses) and 10 grandchildren. Steve is also survived by his brother Christopher. He was predeceased by his parents Russell and Jean and his brother Richard.
A memorial service was held on July 10, 2010. Many thanks to John and Jan Parker for hosting this special event at their American Air Racing hangar at Stead. Steve’s ashes will be scattered at the waterfall on Mt. Rose in September. This was a special place for Steve as he hiked the mountain every year and married his beloved wife, Laurie, there.
Laurie would like to thank all of their friends at Stead Airport for all the love and support through Steve’s sudden and unexpected passing. He was a passionately unique man who will be missed by all who knew him.
“Our loved ones leave the world, but never our hearts” (unknown)
“Good people will be remembered as a blessing . . .” (Proverbs 10:7)
Michael ”Shane” Theis
1958 – 2010
Michael “Shane” Theis died suddenly and unexpectedly of natural causes on July 18, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father Charles K. Theis and his mother Betty L. Theis, both of Reno, Nevada. He is survived by three brothers, Jeff Theis and Tom Theis both of Reno, and Mark Theis of Healdsburg, California, several nieces and nephews, and many good friends. We will all miss Shane, his sense of humor, integrity, steadfastness and strong moral character, more than words can express.
Shane, as he was known by all, was born in Dodge City, Kansas, on October 30, 1958, and lived in that area until 1964, when the family all moved to Reno, where he had resided since. He graduated from Earl Wooster High School and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was first and foremost a pilot (ATP rated) and held many positions, both commercial and private, flying many different types of aircraft over the years. He was also a certified flight instructor and certified aircraft mechanic. His other passions included guns, hunting and the outdoor life. He was a long-time member of the NRA, the national QB organization and the Screen Actor’s Guild.
The Theis family would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who sent cards and condolences.
