Prepare for the rise of OPAs
Last week we discussed the significance of pilot experience in aviation insurance. However, a new trend is emerging in the form of Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA), which have the flexibility to be flown with or without a pilot occupying the seat.
Today’s OPAs tend to be operated by crews on the ground as they test new autonomous technology, with the onboard pilot offering redundancy and monitoring the systems. Looking ahead we can expect to see the growth of OPAs across aviation, driven by the safety, military and cost benefits. Insuring OPAs poses a challenge due to the blending of crewed vs uncrewed flight, especially when considering pilot-less passenger aircraft, but innovative insurers will come up with the right solution.
Image Source: Aurora Flight Sciences 2021
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