On my non-work days, I fly a Husky A-1. I have hydraulic wheel-skis on it in winter and 31” tundra tires in summer. I have never had as much fun in any plane as the tandem seat taildraggers. I have quite a bit of time in the Citabria also. The Citabria is a great plane, easy to see forward when taxiing. The Husky is an outstanding backcountry machine. 180hp with variable pitch prop and only 1,300# with the big tires. I use a belly pod in winter for survival gear and snowshoes etc. You will have a blast in a taildragger.
I’ve had mine for about 10 years. I land it at my house and use it mostly off airports for fishing, hunting and backcountry skiing.
I like higher coverage limits. Mine is insured at $120K hull value with no deductible and $1M smooth liability. That runs $3700 this year.

Nope. I bought a tailwheel RV7.

Nope. I bought a tailwheel RV7.

Doubt I’d ever own a non taildragger, though a little wing big engine lancair did tempt me

What do you own, James?

could do
I see "backcountry" planes as a lot like jeeps. 95% of them never leave pavement. of the 5% that ever drive on dirt, a VW bug could go almost anyplace they will ever venture.

You can go to 99% of what people commonly call "backcountry strips" just fine in a cessna 172

Cessna

So, presumably a "tail dragger" Cessna....which one?

That isn't even remotely close to 'truthful' in terms of the Husky insurance market. I often wonder where this purely false rhetoric originates. A seasoned pilot (seasoned TW experience) is no where near 7K for a $100k aircraft - again I wonder where this information is coming from. I just insured a FLOATED Husky this week with two lower float experienced pilots and the aircraft was close to $200k in value and the pilots had little float time - their premium was slightly under $7k (that for a Husky on amphib FLOATS which always carries a higher premium than a simple tailwheel only policy). Again this information noted is not even close to accurate (no offense Paul as I'm sure you are passing along something you heard second hand).

As always - not two risks are the same in insurance - and always consult your insurance broker if you are in the aircraft buying market if you are curious about pricing specific to YOUR experience coupled with the aircraft and aircraft value you are considering.

Paul, I have far more trust in the agents hereon than I do my own "insurance" ideas...but why not call a good agent, get an idea for a premium?

My procedure for many years has been...if I contemplate a plane, the first call I make is to my agent (Frank Kimmel). he will give me a pretty good idea of what my premium will be on my proposed "Barnburner 24". I will honestly say I've been surprised a couple times...sometimes to the good side, sometimes not.


I've actually pulled away from a couple of planned purchases due to insurance considerations.


My tailwheel premiums have been pretty reasonable. Bird Dog with 125K value, insured for dual instruction, under 2K per year. I think that's pretty decent.


Seriously...talk to a good agent, you won't get an exact quote without an N number, but you can get a good idea.

If you like low, and really slow, there’s really only one choice!

AirCam!

Two engines, dual redundancy, 6 gallons/hour for both engines, cruise at 80 mph, stall at 40 mph (no flaps). I recommend you get a full canopy.

Huh?

I was quoted 3800 for the first year. I have about 100 TW hours. Insured value was $75,000

There is also the 150 HP Decathlon, also an 8KCAB

I currently own a 49' IFR Stinson 108-3. It was primarily purchased to train my son as I wanted him to have far better handling skills than your average private pilot. It's worked out pretty good.

I just took it to OSH and got front show parking ! They put me in the affordable airplane section and it was great ! I used to own a Sundowner and partnered in an A36 but neither of those would have got me in show center parking for sure.

Cheers,

There is also the 150 HP Decathlon, also an 8KCAB