Age limit to rent aircraft?

Question

My friend is an aviation student at Westminster College in Utah. I got the chance to tag along on a flight lesson a few weeks back. At the end of this semester, he will have his private pilots license and be working on his instrument rating next fall. I was just curious what the rules were on renting small planes from airports. Hes only 19 years old and I was wondering if the insurance rules are similar to those of vehicles (25 yr old minimum I think). Not that he has the financial ability or desire to rent a plane but I was just wondering. I can understand why a 19 year olds wouldn't be able to rent.

Answer 1

In most cases, 18.  So your friend is okay.

Answer 2

Since you have to be 16 to solo, 17 to get a private cert. Most FBO's will rent to a 16 year old to solo. In order to get a private certificate you have to do solo cross country(landing over 50 miles away from base) flights, it would be tough to do that if you couldn't rent the aircraft.

Answer 3

The insurance policy will determine if he will be allowed to rent.

The club he trained at would have no problems renting but another flight school may want proof of hours or at least a check flight.

They would like to know that you have enough time on that aircraft. Some insurance policies require more hours due to cost.

A twin sometimes requires 50 hours on type with at least 25 dual and some even a commercial license.

I don't know where the above answers came from about age. You can be 50 years old with ten hours or 19 with 500 hours.

It's flight experience that counts not age.

Answer 4

I agree; most FBO's will rent to anyone with a Private Pilot's certificate (and money). Just be aware though that most FBO's will want your friend to do a check ride with one of their instructors before they will rent you the airplane.

Answer 5

cessna>18

twin engine jet>20

BBJ (737) > 30

Answer 6

In the US you have to be 18 to enter into a legally binding contract. You only have to be 17 to get your private pilot's license, but you can take lessons before that. So if you're renting the plane yourself at that young age you'd need parental or legal guardian permission.

There is not the same restrictions as on cars, though each FBO and insurance situation might be different. I suppose if it took the same kind of training to get a driver's license as it does to get a private pilot license, they might be more willing to rent cars to drivers under 25.

Answer 7

That happened to me when I was a kid.  I flew to San Diego with a friend and we tried to rent a car to go around town.  The guy said I had to be 25, so I asked why.  He said that the Mustang cost him $25,000.  I said that I just flew there in a $100,000 Cessna from Vegas.  He didn't have an answer for that!