Aircraft Rental Requires Proof of Piloting Skills

Aircraft rental makes air travel more convenient than commercial air travel for many passengers who are also licensed pilots or corporate executives with the financial power to lease an airplane and pilot to be at their beck and call to accommodate their personal schedule.

But aircraft rentals are a bit more involved than renting an automobile. You can't just walk up to the counter, show some ID, credit card and your pilot's license and get handed the keys to a Piper Cherokee or Lear jet. Fixed Based Operators (FBO), located at numerous airport locations throughout the country and who are in the business of private aircraft rental, require a checkout of potential aircraft renters that can last up to five hours.

To qualify for aircraft charter rental your pilot's license and medical clearance must be current. A certified flight instructor at the FBO will first take you through a checkout procedure which shows adequate proof that you know what you are doing in the cockpot. Basic flight maneuvers including stalls and landings,along with a review of emergency procedures are included. Checkout time takes a minimum of two hours for single-engine aircraft with fixed landing gear. Multi-engine airplanes with retractable landing gear and more complex operations require as much as a five hour checkout procedure.

A pilot applying for aircraft rental must show proof of renters insurance. The type of aircraft you will be qualified to rent depends upon your experience and your FAA rating. Once a certified flight instructor has signed off on your ability to fly the specific aircraft you are planning on renting, your checkout is valid for renting at that FBO location for anywhere between 90 days and six months. You don't have to spend time on a checkout every time you apply for an aircraft rental so long as you are renting the same type of vehicle for which your checkout has been approved.

Membership in a flying club in your local area is another good way to qualify for good aircraft rental rates. Most of these clubs charge a membership fee and monthly dues, but you have ready access to aircraft leasing by being a recognized member.

If you don't plan on piloting the plane yourself, aircraft rental is available by chartering a flight to take you to and from a specific destination by private plane. Many aircraft leasing and charter companies offer the services of a flight concierge who can handle the details of renting the aircraft you require and accommodating your travel needs.