Bill Carey

Aircraft insurance provider USAIG is offering a new safety program for policyholders who insure small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the company announced yesterday. The initial offering under its new Performance Vector Unmanned program is an online small-UAS ground school course provided by Argus Unmanned, a new division of aviation data services company Argus International of Cincinnati.
The course covers the aeronautical information the FAA will require for the unmanned aircraft general examination. Under the agency’s <a href="http://www.faa.gov/uas/media/RIN_2120-AJ60_Clean_Signed.pdf">Part 107 regulation</a>, which takes effect on August 29, the operator of a small drone weighing less than 55 pounds must have a remote pilot certificate with a small-UAS rating. Certificate holders must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test or have an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate.
USAIG's program builds on Performance Vector, a safety program started in 2011 for policyholders who insure turbine-powered manned aircraft. “This new initiative addresses a vital need by including one remote pilot’s ground school with any UAS policy,” said Paul Ratté, USAIG director of aviation safety programs. “Another plus is that discounted rates are available for additional trainees.”

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