Named pilots, approved pilots, open pilot warranties, training requirements, and the right way to add someone to your policy.
The short answer
No, you should not assume that anyone with the right FAA certificate can fly your aircraft under your insurance policy. The pilot must satisfy the policy’s pilot requirements and any training or approval conditions that apply.
A pilot can be perfectly legal to fly under FAA rules and still fail to meet the insurance policy. The reverse can also create a problem: an insurance approval does not excuse a pilot from FAA certificates, ratings, endorsements, currency, medical, or other legal requirements.
Before a pilot flies, confirm the answer in writing.
Named and approved pilots
Many policies list specific pilots by name or identify them on a pilot schedule. The insurer reviews each pilot’s certificate, ratings, total time, aircraft category and class time, make and model time, recent experience, claims, violations, training, age, and other relevant information.
Approval may be unconditional, or it may require a checkout, dual instruction, simulator program, mentor pilot, recurrent training, or a certain number of supervised hours. Read the exact requirement. Ten hours of dual instruction is not the same as ten hours of supervised pilot in command time or “mentor” time.
What is an open pilot warranty?
An open pilot warranty is policy language that allows pilots who are not individually named to operate the aircraft if they meet the stated qualifications. Those requirements may include certificates, ratings, total time, retractable gear time, turbine time, make and model time, age restrictions, and recent experience.
The word open can be misleading. It does not mean the aircraft is open to any qualified friend. Every part of the warranty must be satisfied, and the policy may contain other conditions that still apply.
There is another important question to consider: even if the policy permits the pilot to operate the aircraft, is that pilot also protected as an insured? Some policy structures protect the named insured’s coverage but do not give the guest pilot the same protection. The insurer may retain rights against a pilot who caused the damage. This is why meeting the open pilot warranty is not the end of the review.
How do you add a pilot?
Start with your broker before the pilot flies. Provide the pilot’s full name, date of birth, certificates and ratings, total time, time by aircraft category and class, time in the insured make and model, recent experience, training history, claims, incidents, violations, and any other information requested.
For turbine aircraft, complex aircraft, or pilots with limited make and model time, including a clear training plan can help the approval process. Identify the school, instructor, simulator, mentor pilot, expected dates, and how the pilot will build experience after training.
The underwriter may approve the pilot, decline the pilot, charge additional premium, change the deductible, reduce coverage, or impose training. Do not treat silence as approval. Wait for written confirmation that states the requirements and effective date.
Does a checkout automatically satisfy the policy?
Not necessarily. A flight review, aircraft checkout, manufacturer course, insurance training requirement, and FAA endorsement can serve different purposes.
If the policy requires a specific program or named instructor, a different course may not satisfy it even if the training was excellent. If the wording is unclear, ask the broker to confirm acceptance with the underwriter before training begins.
What if the pilot has more experience than you?
Experience helps, but it does not replace policy compliance. A retired airline captain may have thousands of turbine hours and very little time in your aircraft. A highly experienced instructor may still fall short of a specific make and model requirement. An experienced pilot with recent claims or limited currency may need additional review.
What should you confirm in writing?
● Is the pilot approved to fly the aircraft?
● What training must be completed before the pilot can fly as pilot in command or second in command?
● Does the policy require a particular instructor, school, or simulator training?
● Is the pilot protected as an insured, or merely permitted to operate the aircraft?
● When does the approval become effective?
The point
Pilot wording is one of the most important parts of an aircraft policy. It can also be one of the easiest areas to misunderstand.
“INeed to add a pilot or review a training requirement? Ryan Aviation Insurance can present the pilot to the underwriter, explain the available terms, and confirm what must happen before the pilot operates the aircraft.“
This article provides general educational information and is not a coverage determination or legal advice. Coverage varies by insurer, policy form, endorsements, aircraft, pilots, and operation. The issued policy and applicable endorsements control.
