September is National Preparedness Month, an annual reminder that emergencies are easier to handle when you tackle them proactively. For aircraft owners, preparedness has an especially practical meaning.
The most successful pilots have a forward-thinking mindset. You check the weather, inspect your aircraft, review your insurance policy, calculate fuel requirements and consider alternate airports before you leave the ground. But what happens when an emergency affects your aircraft while you aren’t flying?
Severe storms, wildfires, floods, power outages, airport closures and other unexpected events can threaten your aircraft or make it inaccessible. Accidents are stressful, causing a scramble to find insurance information, maintenance records and important phone numbers. If you have a comprehensive preparedness plan, you can protect your aircraft, respond more efficiently and avoid making decisions under pressure.
Identify the Emergencies You Could Experience
Preparedness begins with identifying the risks inherent to where you keep and fly your aircraft. Coastal aircraft owners should plan for hurricanes, flooding and storm surges. Other areas may be vulnerable to tornadoes, hail, wildfires, earthquakes or severe winter weather.
Even events that don’t physically damage your aircraft can cause problems. For example, a prolonged power outage, fuel shortage, evacuation order or airport closure could disrupt your plans.
Think beyond the most likely scenario. Ask yourself what you’d do if you suddenly couldn’t access your home airport or usual hangar. Identifying your alternatives ahead of time will give you more options when conditions change quickly.
Have a Relocation Plan
Some emergencies provide enough advance warning to move an aircraft out of harm’s way. However, waiting until a threat becomes imminent can make relocation more challenging. Identify potential alternate airports in advance and consider where you could safely keep your aircraft if your usual location is unavailable. During widespread emergencies, hangar space, ramp space and fuel may become scarce as other owners make similar plans.
Your strategy should also account for who can relocate the aircraft. Is another properly qualified and insured pilot available to move it for you if you are away or unable to fly?
Of course, relocation isn’t always appropriate or possible. Never compromise flight safety merely to protect the aircraft. A preparedness plan should give you options, not encourage you to fly into deteriorating or unsafe conditions.
Know How You Will Secure the Aircraft
If relocation isn’t feasible, determine how you will protect your aircraft in place. Aircraft stored outside may require properly rated tie-down equipment, control locks, protective covers or other measures as appropriate.
Owners with hangar space should consider this building as part of their preparedness planning. Is it vulnerable to flooding? Have you secured loose items? Could equipment inside harm your aircraft during severe weather? Do you know how to report property damage? It’s much easier to answer these questions before an emergency begins.
Keep Important Records Somewhere Safe
If your only copy of a critical document is inside your aircraft or hangar, you may be unable to retrieve it after an emergency.
Maintain secure backups of information you might need, including your:
- Aviation insurance policy and policy number
- Aircraft registration information
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Aircraft and engine logbooks
- Receipts for significant upgrades
- Pilot documentation
- Claims contact information
Consider keeping secure digital copies that you can access remotely. Protect sensitive information appropriately and update your backups when records change.
Document Your Aircraft’s Current Condition
Photographs can be priceless if you eventually need to provide proof of your aircraft’s condition before a loss. Periodically take clear, dated photographs of the exterior, cabin, instrument panel, avionics, engines, propellers and other significant components. Keep records of major improvements as well.
If you recently installed new avionics, upgraded the interior or made another substantial investment, don’t stop at documenting it. Talk to your aviation insurance broker about whether your current hull value and fair market value still reflect the aircraft and its equipment.
Create an Emergency Contact List
When something goes wrong, you shouldn’t have to search through old emails to figure out how to report it. Your emergency contact information might include your aviation insurance broker, insurer’s claims department, FBO, airport management, mechanic, repair facility, hangar operator, aircraft management company and other pilots authorized to operate your aircraft.
Make this information available somewhere other than your aircraft. If multiple people have permission to pilot your plane, ensure everyone understands the plan and is familiar with the chain of communication.
Know What to Do After an Incident
Your preparedness plan should also address what happens after damage occurs. Safety always comes first. Address injuries and immediate hazards before worrying about the aircraft or insurance claim. Once the situation is safe, document the damage when possible and notify the appropriate authorities and insurance representatives.
Avoid authorizing extensive repairs or assuming you have specific coverage before speaking with your insurer, except when immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect people or prevent further damage. Your aviation insurance broker can be a vital resource during this process, which is another reason to keep their information readily accessible.
Make Your Insurance Policy Part of the Plan
Buying aviation insurance shouldn’t be the end of your insurance preparedness. Aircraft, pilots and operations change over time. Perhaps you have installed new equipment, moved to another airport, added a pilot, changed how you use the aircraft or begun taking longer trips. Your aircraft’s value may have changed as well.
Periodic coverage reviews will let you confirm whether your policy still reflects your current circumstances. That conversation could include hull value, liability limits, approved pilots, geographic territory, deductibles, intended use and storage arrangements. Coverage varies by policy – understanding your terms before a loss is preferable to discovering an unexpected limitation afterward.
Prepare for When the Original Plan Doesn’t Work
Every emergency plan should have a backup. What happens if your usual mechanic or airport are unavailable? What if the alternate airport you selected is also inaccessible? What if you have an incident outside U.S. airspace or are traveling when an emergency develops at home?
Think about who has the authority and information necessary to act on your behalf. Having a second contact, alternate destination and accessible copies of critical information can make your plan more resilient when an urgent situation unfolds differently than you expected.
Use National Preparedness Month to Review Your Aviation Insurance
We make emergency plans in hopes that we’ll never have to use them. A few hours spent preparing today can eliminate future uncertainties and hesitation, which you’ll appreciate when you need to act quickly.
National Preparedness Month is an ideal opportunity to review your emergency procedures, update your documentation and ensure your policies still match the aircraft you own and how you fly. Our experienced team can help you identify gaps in your existing coverage and recommend add-ons tailored to your aircraft and operations. Reach out today to make insurance a reliable part of your aircraft preparedness plan.