Old Timer

F

Flyrider

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2023
Messages
8
Location
McAlester Ok
Looking to buy a 73 Citabria. Just sold my Maule M7 235 B. Insurance company didn’t think a 80 year old should be flying such a high performance tailwheel airplane. It was my second 235 Maule with over 4000 hrs in tailwheels and over 10,000 tt. So back to a Citabria. It will be my second. Had a 75 model 30 or so years ago. Really liked that airplane.
 
I figure if you can fly the 235 Maule you can fly anything. I had one go unstable on me at a very low speed. It was going dead straight at about 15 mph with a tail wheel shimmy. I raised the nose just slightly, then realized I had no directional control at all - no rudder, brake would not hold it. It was so slow it was like swinging into a parking place. Stopped all by itself about 3/4 of the way around.

Surprised that your insurer won't insure the Maule, but will insure the more valuable Citabria. I am 82, and just recently got insurance with full hull coverage for instructing in a 450 Stearman. Maybe you should check Avemco - they have apparently no problem with we ancient folk.
 
Same thing happened with the first owner of the Maule just sold. At only 35 hours since new it swung around and nosed over. it was just to expensive of an airplane with current policy at $5900 going up next year to over $7000 And that is with Avemco. Great company. Been with them for years. Citabria I may buy will cost around $1400 hull and liability and go to around $1700 next year when I’m over 80. By the way, used to have a 300 Lycoming dressed Stearman which was really a good combination. Les
 
I have about 160 hrs of 7GCBC time. About 28K total time, former airline pilot.. The tailwheel is far more challenging to fly well IMO. Avemco is my carrier too. I'm 65...
 
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