Pilot requirements & insurance

    Flying with A4 Aviation

    Our aircraft are insured. Our pilots are checked out. The handful of requirements below keep both of those things true — and keep the cost of flying our airplanes refreshingly low for everyone.

    If you're a member or thinking about joining, this page tells you exactly what you need before you take the keys.

    What our policy covers

    A4 Aviation carries a commercial aircraft hull and liability policy through Harco National (placed by Schrager Hampson Aviation). The headline numbers:

    • Liability: $1,000,000 each occurrence, with $100,000 per passenger
    • Medical expense: $5,000 per seat, crew included
    • Hull coverage: All-risk, on every aircraft in the fleet
    • Student & renter liability: $100,000 included for qualified pilots
    • Hull deductibles: $500 not-in-motion / $2,500 in-motion

    This policy protects the aircraft and A4 Aviation. It does not fully protect you personally as the pilot in command — which is why the requirements below exist.

    Who is allowed to fly our aircraft

    Our policy's Pilot Clause covers any pilot who meets one of these three categories and has been checked out by an A4 Aviation Certificated Flight Instructor:

    1. Student pilots flying under the direct supervision of an A4 Aviation CFI.
    2. Sport pilots or higher who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge to operate the specific aircraft, signed off by an A4 Aviation CFI.
    3. Private pilots or higher who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge to operate the specific aircraft, signed off by an A4 Aviation CFI.

    The CFI checkout is what activates your coverage under our policy. No checkout, no flight — no exceptions, even for high-time pilots.

    What every A4 Aviation pilot must carry

    Before your first solo flight in one of our aircraft, you'll need to provide a current certificate of insurance showing the following minimums. Bring it to your checkout — we'll keep a copy on file.

    1. Non-Owned Aircraft Liability (Renter's Insurance)

    Coverage Minimum required
    Bodily injury & property damage liability $1,000,000 combined single limit
    Per-passenger sub-limit $100,000 (or smooth $1M)
    Aircraft physical damage (hull) liability $25,000 minimum — covers our deductible plus a margin
    Medical payments $5,000 recommended

    Why hull damage coverage matters: if you bend one of our airplanes, our insurer pays the claim and may then look to the pilot in command for the deductible — up to $2,500 in-motion on every aircraft in our fleet. A renter policy with at least $25,000 of aircraft damage liability covers that deductible and gives you a buffer if a subrogation question ever comes up.

    2. A current FAA medical or BasicMed (as applicable)

    Sport pilots flying LSA-certificated aircraft can operate on a valid U.S. driver's license per FAA Sport Pilot rules. Private pilots and above must hold a current Class 3 medical or BasicMed.

    3. A current flight review (Part 61.56)

    Within the preceding 24 calendar months, in any aircraft category you're rated for.

    4. A4 Aviation aircraft checkout

    Documented sign-off from one of our CFIs in the specific make and model you intend to fly. Checkouts don't transfer between aircraft — the J230 and the J250 are similar but not identical, and we treat them that way.

    Where to get renter's insurance

    Any of these carriers offer non-owned aircraft policies that meet our minimums. Quotes are typically $250–$500/year for the coverage levels above.

    • Avemco — Non-Owned Aircraft policy
    • AOPA Insurance Services (Assured Partners Aerospace)
    • BWI Aviation Insurance
    • Starr Aviation — through most aviation brokers
    • Schrager Hampson Aviation — our own broker, who can write a renter policy alongside our fleet policy

    When you request a quote, ask the broker for a policy that names A4 Aviation LLC as a certificate holder so we get notified of any lapse or change.

    What's covered, what's not — at a glance

    Situation A4 Aviation policy Your renter policy
    Damage to the aircraft Pays the claim Reimburses our deductible
    Injury to passengers Up to $100K/seat Excess / gap coverage
    Injury to people on the ground Up to $1M Excess / gap coverage
    Your personal legal defense Limited — insurer defends us first Defends you
    Subrogation against the pilot Not protected Protected

    The short version: our policy keeps the airplanes flying. Your policy keeps you flying.

    Before your first flight — checklist

    • Pilot certificate (Sport, Private, or higher) on file
    • Current medical or BasicMed (or driver's license for Sport in LSA)
    • Current flight review (within 24 months)
    • Non-owned aircraft insurance certificate — $1M liability / $25K hull minimum, A4 Aviation listed as certificate holder
    • A4 Aviation CFI checkout in the specific aircraft (J230 or J250)
    • Signed A4 Aviation rental & operating agreement

    Once those six items are in your file, the schedule is yours.

    Questions

    If anything on this page is unclear — or if you already have a renter policy and want us to confirm it meets our minimums — reach out. We'd rather answer the question now than at the airport on a Saturday morning.

    Coverage figures reflect Harco National policy AVC102271-00, effective 03/05/2026 – 03/05/2027. Always defer to the actual policy and rental agreement for binding terms.