USAIG Launches Safety Program for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

USAIG proudly introduces Performance Vector Unmanned, created specifically for policyholders who insure unmanned aircraft systems. It serves to keep safety at the forefront, which is especially critical considering that UAS outnumber registered manned aircraft.

The program’s predecessor, Performance Vector, was established in 2011 to provide safety-supportive benefits to policyholders who insure turbine-powered manned aircraft. Likewise Performance Vector Unmanned integrates products and services specific to UAS operational safety and is made broadly available to holders of UAS policies.

“We constantly seek new ways to help strengthen our clients’ existing safety programs,” says Paul Ratté, USAIG’s director of aviation safety programs. “This new initiative addresses a vital need by including one remote pilot’s ground school with any UAS policy. Another plus: discounted rates are available for additional trainees.”

The program’s initial offering is the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Ground School Course, provided online by industry leader ARGUS Unmanned. The course sets a sturdy foundation of required aeronautical knowledge for remote pilots of UAS weighing less than 55 pounds. The curriculum addresses all pertinent aeronautical knowledge factors outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) examination. It augments those with safety concepts and practices to develop well-informed and responsible remote pilots. Students who successfully complete the course receive a certificate of completion from ARGUS Unmanned. This prepares them to attain or recurrently sustain Remote Pilot-in-Command certification.

“As a long-time service provider in the Performance Vector program, we have seen firsthand the commitment made by USAIG to invest in the continued enhancement of their policyholders’ safety programs,” says Joe Moeggenberg, ARGUS CEO and President. “We consider it a privilege to participate in the launch of the Performance Vector Unmanned program and agree with USAIG that a strong and sound aviation safety foundation begins with the pilot. Our sUAS ground school carries on that tradition.”

The course teaches what human factors contribute to errors and violations and how they may cause UAS accidents. Perhaps equally important, it teaches the ethical and legal requirements of being a responsible remote pilot and explores a professional career in unmanned aviation.

“ARGUS is a world-class leader in guiding aviation risk management, so we are especially pleased that the cornerstone program in our new UAS safety initiative is an ARGUS Unmanned course,” says David McKay, USAIG CEO. “The UAS sector has shown significant growth and is poised to expand and mature even more as new regulations governing commercial use become effective. Performance Vector Unmanned will help our policyholders become and remain the safety leaders in UAS operations.”

While Performance Vector Unmanned kicks off with the ARGUS Unmanned sUAS Ground School Course, offerings will evolve in step with the needs of the dynamic UAS industry. For more information and the latest program offerings, please refer to www.usaig.com  > Safety tab > Performance Vector Unmanned (direct link: https://www.usau.com/caf_safety_performance_vector_unmanned.php) or email safety@usaig.com.