Register

Insuring the Solo Jet Pilot

Paul Bowen
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Securing insurance for single-pilot jet operations is challenging due to insurers' concerns about pilot experience and resistance to accepting necessary training and operational limitations.
  • Insurers mandate comprehensive training, including initial type ratings, significant dual time with a mentor pilot, and recurrent simulator training, while often imposing lower liability limits for owner-flown single-pilot jets.
  • Premiums for single-pilot jet operations are considerably higher—potentially 20-50% more—compared to two-pilot or professionally flown aircraft, reflecting the increased risk.
  • Ultimately, insurance companies, not the FAA, dictate the stringent requirements, limitations, and costs for single-pilot jet insurance, actively working with Very Light Jet manufacturers to address training for new pilots.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Major concerns for anyone planning single- pilot operations with a jet airplane are first the availability and cost of insurance, and then what limitations are going to be placed on the pilot and the use of the airplane.

The issues the insurance companies have are first that the pilot applicant doesn’t have the requisite experience and then that in many cases, someone who can afford to buy a jet and plans to fly it single pilot is used to being in charge and not being told what they can and cannot do. We’d be sticking our heads in the clouds if we didn’t acknowledge that there are two types of pilots who want to operate jets single pilot. There are those who have been flying turbine-powered airplanes such as King Airs, TBMs and even jets and want to transition to a single-pilot jet, and then there are those who have no or little experience in even large piston singles like Bonanzas or Malibus, or piston twins, let alone turbine-powered airplanes. Historically, there haven’t been that many pilots in the second group, but now with delivery of new very light jets imminent, there is expected to be an increasing number of pilots with the wherewithal to become jet jockeys, but relatively little experience.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE