Aircraft insurance

altomatic

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Joined
Mar 31, 2021
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I'm an incoming basic for the class of 2026 w/ a PPL and intend to join the flying team or at least fly sometime during my doolie year at USAFA. My question is if I should renew my aircraft renters insurance which expires in July. I know I need it to rent aircraft outside the academy. But do I need it to fly at USAFA?
 
USAFA has its own fleet of aircraft... i.e. owned by the government. If anything happens, the JAGs (or SJAs if that is the correct term in AF-ese) will take care of it.

This goes for your entire military career. If something happens to you while you are executing your official duties (flying at USAFA is considered professional education... which is part of your duties as a cadet) and you are acting in good faith (i.e. not showing off or doing something illegal), then you will be covered.

You need insurance for outside rentals since regardless of your status as an active duty servicemember, you are renting a civilian aircraft from a civilian operator using a civilian certificate.

The military (as you probably know) has its own method of training and designating pilots as well as its own operating and maintenance regulations/procedures. Military aircraft still follow FARs as practicable, but we can't always due to training and operational requirements.
 
Your best bet of flying is with the Aero Club (a civilian FBO) located at the USAFA airfield. I'm unsure if they require renter's insurance. As @Usnavy2019 said, if you are flying an Air Force aircraft, you are covered. However, if you cause a mishap due to reckless/criminal conduct, you may end up paying for that accident with time in a jail cell :eek:.

Jokes aside don't worry too much about flying doolie year, you will have many opportunities to do so in the future. It is very likely that your time will be better spent focusing on academics and military training.
 
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