Hi Guys,
Back again after an interesting long weekend :D :D :D
GS, when I mentioned foolhardy, please understand that the flying fraternity are generally a laconic bunch, and they've earned much more than just their T-Shirts and Stripes!
There is something unwritten that sets aviators apart from their groundbound earthlings
. As I mentioned in a prior missive "Flying is not for sissies....or the faint hearted"!! (And I'm not necessarily refering to just the physical activity of defying earth's gravity!)
Returning to the business at hand, I need to reiterate that concept that any form of "microlight insurance scheme" must be completely unique, and actuaried, exclusively from the M/L pool. It cannot be based on what motorcars, motorbikes, 4x4's, householders, etc., may be doing.
Contrary to common perception, M/L aviators are generally a cautious bunch, and take their recreational flying very seriously. As you are well aware...there are old pilots, and bold pilots, but no bold old pilots. Sadly enough, bold pilots have a way of removing themselves from the equation. Unfortunately, the insurance underwriters don't share this view, purely because of a perception they hold, rather than basing their decisions on solid fact.
(Being privvy to many board meetings at one particularly large public listed hospitality group, similar type discussions were mooted for months until we developed a "software patch" that produced statistical data that not only disputed their claim, but showed that they were out by nearly 93%
!! There's ain't an ounce difference between this group's perception, and that held by most insurance underwriters. The old marketing adage "Perception dictates action, not facts"!
That is clearly the edict of the insurance companies.....and by GS own admission about the non-availability of facts from CAA! )
However, one could talk until we are all blue in the face
, or we can get off our butts and do something about it
.
I have spent the past 30 or so months investigating the many aspects associated with "mutual insurance", and have received some pretty good guidance from many quarters, including legal, actuarial, investigation/assessment, brokerage, et el., and feel confident that there will be a self-sustainable product available by the end of 2007.
As previously mentioned in earlier missives, it would have to be in the form of a fully constituted Club with bona fida members. A committee would direct the business of the club, etc., etc..
In order to "bring comfort" to subscribing members, no subscriptions will be payable until a critical mass of, say 250 signed up members, has been reached.
GS, I'm sure that you have wealth of experience to bring to the table. You never know that you could actually be a dynamic driving force in creating something unique in the South African context, that could become world class!! Who knows
Well, to all the other contributors, and browsers, I'll be chocked from Wednesday for a next week as I am motoring down to the fairest cape (and back), making many unscheduled stops along the way (ie Knysna)! :D :D A bit pleasure, a bit business! So, that means I'll be "off the air" for a couple of days. I look forward to touching base with you all on my return.
Till then, happy landings.......and glorious Highveld Sunsets!
DB.
(ooppps... sorry the excitement made me all quesy) 
