Aircraft Ferry Pilot Requirements

Qualification, Experience, Insurance & Professional Standards for Ferry Flight USA Pilot Assignments

Flying an aircraft from one airport to another professionally requires more than possessing a pilot certificate.

Ferry Flight USA evaluates pilots based on the specific aircraft, insurance requirements, mission, route, operating environment, and customer requirements.

There is no single flight-time number that qualifies a pilot for every ferry mission.

A pilot who may be appropriate for a:

Cessna 172

may not be qualified or insurable for a:

Piper Seneca

Beechcraft Baron

Aerostar

or:

Citation

Pilot qualification is therefore evaluated on a mission-by-mission basis.

Factors can include:

Pilot certificate
Ratings
Endorsements
Total flight time
PIC time
Cross-country experience
Instrument experience
Category and class time
Make-and-model experience
Time in type
Complex-aircraft time
High-performance time
Tailwheel experience
Multi-engine time
Pressurized-aircraft experience
Turbine experience
Type ratings
Recurrent training
Mountain experience where relevant
Alaska or remote-operations experience where relevant
Insurance requirements
Aircraft condition
Route
Mission complexity
Customer or operator requirements

FAA Qualification Is the Starting Point — Not the Entire Pilot-Matching Process.

APPLY TO JOIN THE FERRY FLIGHT USA PILOT NETWORK

No Single Minimum Qualifies a Pilot for Every Aircraft

Aircraft ferry work covers an extremely broad range of airplanes.

Ferry Flight USA may coordinate qualifying missions involving:

Basic piston trainers
Complex piston singles
High-performance singles
Tailwheel aircraft
Vintage aircraft
Piston twins
Pressurized twins
Turbine aircraft
Light jets
Selected midsize business jets

Each category creates different pilot requirements.

For that reason, Ferry Flight USA does not treat:

“Commercial pilot”

or:

“X total hours”

as automatic qualification for every mission.

Baseline Pilot Eligibility

Pilots considered for Ferry Flight USA missions should generally be able to demonstrate:

Appropriate FAA pilot privileges for the intended operation
Required aircraft category and class ratings
Required endorsements
Appropriate medical eligibility when required for the operation
Current flight qualifications applicable to the mission
Relevant aircraft experience
Ability to satisfy applicable insurance requirements
Professional communication
Sound aeronautical decision-making
Accurate flight-time reporting
Ability to safely and independently manage cross-country logistics

Additional requirements apply depending on the aircraft.

Pilot Certificate Requirements

Pilot certificate requirements depend on the nature of the assignment.

For compensated professional ferry work, the pilot must hold the privileges required for the intended operation.

Potential certificate levels may include:

Commercial Pilot
Airline Transport Pilot

Additional instructor qualifications may be useful for separately arranged training but are not automatically required for ordinary ferry missions.

Category & Class Ratings

Pilots must hold the appropriate category and class ratings for the aircraft.

Examples include:

Airplane Single-Engine Land
Airplane Multi-Engine Land

A pilot qualified to operate a single-engine aircraft is not automatically qualified to ferry a multi-engine aircraft.

Instrument Rating

An instrument rating is highly valuable for professional cross-country ferry work and may be required for particular missions.

Long-distance ferry operations can encounter:

Low ceilings
Marine layers
Changing weather systems
Controlled airspace
IFR conditions

However, an instrument rating does not make every aircraft or weather condition appropriate for IFR flight.

The aircraft must also meet the requirements for the intended operation.

Required Endorsements

Depending on the aircraft, pilots may need endorsements such as:

Complex aircraft
High-performance aircraft
Tailwheel aircraft
Other endorsements applicable to the specific operation

Possessing an endorsement alone may not satisfy insurance requirements.

Medical Eligibility

Pilots must hold the medical qualification or other permitted medical eligibility appropriate for the operation they are performing.

The applicable requirement depends on:

Pilot privileges being exercised
Nature of the operation
Aircraft
Regulatory requirements

Applicants should accurately disclose their current medical status.

Flight Review & Currency

Pilots should maintain the currency required for the operation they intend to perform.

Depending on the mission, relevant currency can include:

Flight review
Passenger currency where applicable
Instrument currency
Multi-engine proficiency
Aircraft-specific recurrent training
Type-rating recurrent requirements

Currency alone does not establish aircraft-specific proficiency.

Total Flight Time

Total flight time is one factor in pilot selection.

Ferry Flight USA may consider:

Total time
PIC time
Cross-country time
Instrument time
Recent activity

However:

Total time is not the same as relevant experience.

A 5,000-hour pilot with almost no tailwheel experience may be a poor match for a specialized tailwheel mission.

A lower-total-time pilot with extensive recent time in a specific common aircraft may be a stronger match for that aircraft.

PIC Time

Pilot-in-command experience can be important because ferry pilots often operate independently.

Relevant PIC experience can demonstrate familiarity with:

Flight planning
Weather decisions
Fuel planning
Aircraft management
Diversions
Cross-country operations

Insurance companies may also establish PIC minimums.

Cross-Country Experience

Professional ferry work is inherently cross-country oriented.

Pilots should be comfortable with:

Multi-state routes
Fuel-stop planning
Changing weather
Unfamiliar airports
Overnight stops
Rerouting
Long-duration travel logistics

Instrument Experience

Instrument experience may include:

Actual instrument time
Simulated instrument time
IFR cross-country experience
Recent IFR operations

Some missions may warrant pilots with substantial recent IFR experience beyond the regulatory minimum.

Aircraft-Specific Experience

Aircraft-specific experience is one of the most important parts of ferry pilot qualification.

Ferry Flight USA may evaluate:

Exact aircraft model
Similar variants
Aircraft systems
Avionics
Engine configuration
Landing-gear configuration
Pressurization
Turbocharging
Performance characteristics

Make-and-Model Time

Aircraft insurers frequently establish minimum experience requirements in the exact make/model.

Possible requirements may include:

5 hours
10 hours
25 hours
50 hours
100 hours

or another threshold determined by the insurer.

Ferry Flight USA does not impose one universal number across every aircraft.

The actual mission requirements control.

Insurance Requirements Can Exceed FAA Requirements

This is one of the most important standards in professional ferry work.

A pilot can be legally qualified to operate an aircraft but still not satisfy the aircraft’s insurance requirements.

Insurance may require:

Minimum total time
PIC time
Category/class time
Retractable-gear time
High-performance time
Multi-engine time
Tailwheel experience
Turbine time
Make/model time
Time in type
Recurrent training
Named-pilot approval

The ferry pilot must satisfy requirements applicable to the mission.

Named-Pilot Approval

Certain policies may require the ferry pilot to be approved specifically by:

Aircraft owner
Insurance broker
Insurance carrier

Pilot qualification documents may need to be submitted before the aircraft moves.

No pilot should assume approval until the applicable insurance requirements are addressed.

Open Pilot Warranty

Some insurance policies contain an open-pilot provision defining minimum qualifications for pilots not specifically named on the policy.

The pilot must actually satisfy those conditions.

Ferry Flight USA should evaluate the policy requirements provided for the mission rather than assuming a pilot is covered.

Piston Single Ferry Pilot Requirements

Piston singles represent a large portion of general aviation ferry work.

Potential aircraft include:

Cessna
Piper
Cirrus
Beechcraft
Mooney
Diamond
Grumman
Tecnam
Maule
American Champion

Pilot requirements depend on:

Model
Performance
Gear configuration
Engine
Avionics
Insurance

EXPLORE PISTON SINGLE AIRCRAFT FERRY SERVICES

Basic Training Aircraft

Aircraft such as:

Cessna 150
Cessna 152
Cessna 172
Piper Warrior
Piper Archer

may have a relatively broad pool of qualified pilots.

However, insurance and aircraft-specific familiarity still matter.

High-Performance Piston Singles

Aircraft such as:

Cessna 182
Cessna 206
Cirrus SR22
Bonanza
Piper Saratoga

may require:

High-performance endorsement
Additional PIC experience
Make/model time
Insurance approval

Complex Piston Singles

Potential examples include:

Piper Arrow
Mooney
Retractable Bonanza variants
Other retractable-gear singles

Pilots may need:

Complex endorsement
Retractable time
Make/model experience
Insurance approval

Tailwheel Ferry Pilot Requirements

Tailwheel missions require pilots with appropriate tailwheel qualifications.

Potential aircraft may include:

Piper Cub
Super Cub
Citabria
Decathlon
Maule
Husky
Vintage aircraft

Potential requirements can include:

Tailwheel endorsement
Total tailwheel time
Recent tailwheel experience
Make/model experience
Insurance approval

A pilot with minimal tailwheel time should not represent themselves as experienced merely because they hold the endorsement.

Vintage Aircraft Requirements

Older aircraft can require additional familiarity with:

Older engine systems
Carbureted engines
Manual fuel systems
Legacy instrumentation
Limited electrical systems
Tailwheel configurations
Aircraft-specific starting and operating procedures

Pilot selection may therefore emphasize direct experience over generic total time.

Multi-Engine Ferry Pilot Requirements

Piston-twin missions require the appropriate multi-engine rating.

Potential aircraft can include:

Seminole
Seneca
Baron
Apache
Aztec
Twin Comanche
Cessna twins
Diamond twins
Aerostar

Possible additional requirements include:

Minimum total multi-engine time
PIC multi-engine time
Instrument proficiency
Make/model time
Complex experience
Insurance approval

EXPLORE PISTON TWIN AIRCRAFT FERRY SERVICES

Multi-Engine Rating Alone Is Not Enough for Every Twin

A pilot who recently completed a multi-engine add-on may be appropriately rated but may not satisfy:

Insurance requirements
Owner requirements
Mission complexity
Aircraft-specific experience expectations

A Piper Seminole and an Aerostar are both multi-engine aircraft, but their experience demands are not equivalent.

Seminole Pilot Requirements

Piper Seminole missions may be appropriate for pilots with experience in:

Multi-engine trainers
PA-44 aircraft
Instrument operations

Insurance requirements still control the final assignment.

Seneca Pilot Requirements

Seneca aircraft may introduce additional considerations such as:

Turbocharging depending on model
Complex systems
Higher aircraft weight
Aircraft-specific engine management

Baron Pilot Requirements

Beechcraft Baron missions may require:

Significant multi-engine experience
Complex-aircraft time
Make/model time
Instrument proficiency
Insurance approval

Requirements can vary substantially between policies.

Aerostar Pilot Requirements

Aerostar aircraft should be treated as specialized.

Potential qualification considerations can include:

Aerostar-specific time
High-performance twin experience
Pressurization experience
Instrument experience
Insurance approval

A basic multi-engine rating is not sufficient evidence of suitability for an Aerostar ferry mission.

Pressurized Aircraft Requirements

Pressurized piston missions may involve aircraft such as:

Cessna 340
Cessna 414
Cessna 421
Aerostar

Pilots may need relevant experience with:

Pressurization systems
High-altitude operations
Oxygen systems
Emergency depressurization
Aircraft-specific systems

Turbine Ferry Pilot Requirements

Turbine aircraft may require substantially more specialized qualifications.

Potential considerations include:

Turbine PIC time
Total turbine time
Aircraft-specific experience
Type rating where required
Recurrent training
Simulator training
Insurance approval

Light Jet Ferry Pilot Requirements

Selected light jets may include qualifying:

Citation
Phenom
HondaJet
Eclipse
Premier
Vision Jet

Pilot requirements may include:

Applicable type rating
Recent recurrent training
Time in type
PIC experience
Insurance approval
Single-pilot or two-pilot qualification

EXPLORE LIGHT JET FERRY SERVICES

Midsize Jet Ferry Pilot Requirements

Selected midsize aircraft can include:

Citation
Learjet
Hawker
Challenger
Falcon
Gulfstream
Embraer aircraft

These missions may require:

Appropriate type rating
Current recurrent training
Defined PIC and SIC qualifications
Minimum time in type
Two-pilot crew
Insurance approval
Operator-specific requirements

EXPLORE MIDSIZE JET FERRY SERVICES

Type Ratings

Pilots applying for aircraft requiring a type rating should accurately report:

Type rating held
PIC or SIC authorization where relevant
Total time in type
PIC time in type
Last recurrent training
Training provider

A type rating alone does not automatically qualify a pilot for every mission.

Recurrent Training

Some aircraft and insurance programs may require training within a specified period.

Possible requirements may include training from:

FlightSafety
CAE
SimCom
Manufacturer-approved programs
Other acceptable programs

Pilot recurrent-training information should remain current in the Ferry Flight USA pilot database.

Two-Pilot Crew Requirements

Certain missions may require:

Captain / PIC
Second in Command / SIC

This can be based on:

Aircraft certification
Insurance
Company SOP
Customer requirements
Mission complexity

Both pilots must satisfy the requirements applicable to their assigned roles.

Corporate Flight Department Requirements

Corporate operators may impose requirements above minimum FAA or insurance standards.

Examples may include:

Higher minimum total time
Specific recurrent provider
Recent time in type
Two-pilot operation
Company SOP compliance
Crew pairing requirements

Ferry Flight USA should review these requirements before assigning the crew.

Aircraft Management Company Requirements

Management companies may similarly require:

Pilot resume
Training records
Insurance approval
Operator-specific forms
SOP acknowledgement

Mission requirements should be provided before pilot assignment.

Mountain West Ferry Pilot Requirements

Mountain missions may benefit from pilots with relevant experience involving:

High-elevation airports
Density altitude
Mountain terrain
Mountain passes
Strong winds
Mountain wave

Potential regions include:

Colorado
Wyoming
Montana
Idaho
Utah
Nevada

The pilot’s aircraft experience must still match the airplane.

Alaska Ferry Pilot Requirements

Alaska missions require individual evaluation.

Additional considerations may include:

Alaska experience
Remote-area operations
Mountain flying
Survival equipment
Canada routing
Fuel planning
Tailwheel experience
Bush-aircraft experience

Not every otherwise qualified ferry pilot is appropriate for an Alaska mission.

International & Canada Experience

Some ferry missions can involve international routing.

Pilots with relevant experience should identify familiarity with:

International flight planning
Customs
Border procedures
Canada operations
Required documentation

International experience is mission-specific and is not required for ordinary domestic assignments.

Ferry Permit Pilot Requirements

An FAA Special Flight Permit does not remove pilot qualification requirements.

Pilot selection may still depend on:

Category
Class
Complex endorsement
High-performance endorsement
Tailwheel endorsement
Multi-engine rating
Pressurization experience
Turbine experience
Type rating
Make/model experience
Insurance requirements
Permit operating limitations

Ferry Flight USA’s existing ferry-permit guidance already treats FAA authorization and insurance as separate requirements.

EXPLORE FERRY PERMIT FLIGHTS

Specialized Ferry Permit Missions

Certain ferry-permit flights may warrant a pilot with significantly more aircraft-specific experience than a routine mission.

Examples may involve:

Unusual aircraft condition
Limited aircraft systems
Restricted landing gear operation
Specific permit limitations
Specialized route planning

Pilot assignment should reflect the actual risk and operating limitations.

Pilot Documentation Requirements

Ferry Flight USA may require pilots to provide documents relevant to their assignments.

These can include:

Pilot certificate
Government identification
Medical documentation where applicable
Flight-time summary
Resume
Ratings
Type ratings
Training certificates
Recurrent training records

Specific documents depend on the aircraft and mission.

Flight-Time Summary

Pilots should maintain an accurate summary showing relevant categories such as:

Total time
PIC time
Cross-country time
Instrument time
Single-engine time
Multi-engine time
Tailwheel time
Retractable time
Pressurized time
Turbine time
Jet time
Time in type

Make/Model Experience Records

The Ferry Flight USA pilot profile should maintain structured aircraft experience.

For each model, pilots should be able to report:

Manufacturer
Aircraft model
Total time
PIC time
Last flown

This allows rapid matching when a specific aircraft request arrives.

Training Documentation

Pilots may be asked to provide training information including:

Date
Aircraft
Training organization
Type of training
Recurrent completion

This is especially relevant for turbine and business-aircraft assignments.

Documentation Must Be Accurate

Ferry Flight USA expects complete and truthful pilot qualification information.

Misrepresentation can include:

Inflated flight time
False make/model experience
Expired training represented as current
Incorrect type-rating claims
Misstated medical status

Misrepresentation should be grounds for removal from consideration.

Pilot Currency Is the Pilot’s Responsibility

Each pilot remains responsible for ensuring they meet all applicable:

Certificate requirements
Rating requirements
Currency requirements
Medical requirements
Aircraft requirements

before accepting an assignment.

Pilot Qualification Is Rechecked Per Mission

Acceptance into the Ferry Flight USA pilot network should not be interpreted as blanket approval to fly all Ferry Flight USA aircraft.

Every assignment can require a new review.

A pilot may be:

Qualified for Mission A

but:

Not Qualified for Mission B

based on:

Aircraft
Insurance
Route
Operator requirements

Professional Conduct Requirements

Pilot professionalism is part of qualification.

Pilots should demonstrate:

Respectful customer communication
Appropriate dress and presentation
On-time communication
Aircraft care
Accurate expense reporting
Reliable scheduling
Professional interaction with FBOs and maintenance facilities

Customer Communication

Pilots may interact with:

Aircraft owners
Buyers
Sellers
Brokers
Dealers
Maintenance shops
Flight schools
Corporate flight departments
Aircraft managers

Pilots represent Ferry Flight USA during those interactions.

Mission Status Updates

Pilots should provide appropriate updates such as:

Arrived at aircraft
Aircraft reviewed
Departed
Weather delay
Overnight stop
Maintenance issue
Estimated arrival
Aircraft delivered

Communication expectations should be established before departure.

Aircraft Care Standards

Customer aircraft should be treated conservatively and professionally.

Pilots should avoid:

Unnecessary aggressive operation
Excessive engine abuse
Unnecessary hard braking
Improper securing
Careless handling of customer property

The ferry mission exists to safely move the aircraft—not to demonstrate performance.

Aircraft Condition Review

Before flight, the pilot should evaluate whether the aircraft appears appropriate for the intended operation.

If the aircraft condition differs materially from what was represented, the pilot should stop and communicate the issue.

Potential concerns can include:

Fluid leaks
Tire damage
Brake issues
Fuel-system concerns
Engine problems
Electrical problems
Required-documentation issues

Pilots Are Not Expected to Fly Unsafe Aircraft

No pilot should feel pressured to depart because:

Airline travel has already been purchased
The customer wants the aircraft immediately
The delivery is behind schedule

If the aircraft is not appropriate for flight, the mission pauses.

Weather Standards

Pilots must exercise conservative weather judgment.

A pilot should be willing to:

Delay
Reroute
Stop early
Add an overnight
Wait for better weather

Potential hazards can include:

Thunderstorms
Icing
Fog
Snow
Strong winds
Tropical weather
Mountain wave
Wildfire smoke

Personal Minimums

A pilot’s legal minimums and personal minimums may differ.

Ferry pilots should not allow customer pressure to lower their safety margins.

Fuel Planning Standards

Pilots should plan fuel based on:

Aircraft
Weather
Winds
Route
Airport fuel availability
Required reserves

Long cross-country ferry flights may require careful confirmation of:

Fuel type
FBO hours
Self-service availability
After-hours access

Airport Selection

A fuel or overnight airport should be suitable for:

Aircraft performance
Runway
Weather
Fuel
Services

The closest airport is not always the best airport.

Route Planning

Pilots should plan around:

Terrain
Weather
Airspace
Fuel
Aircraft range
Aircraft performance
Maintenance availability
Alternate airports

The safest operational route may differ from the shortest geographic route.

Crew Duty & Fatigue

Professional ferry flying can involve long days and substantial logistical demands.

Pilots should manage fatigue responsibly.

Factors may include:

Airline travel before pickup
Long flight days
Multiple legs
Weather stress
Ground delays
Poor sleep

A pilot should not continue merely to satisfy a delivery deadline when fatigue makes doing so inappropriate.

Alcohol & Drug Standards

Pilots must comply with all applicable federal aviation requirements governing alcohol and drug use.

Ferry Flight USA should expect professional judgment exceeding bare minimum compliance where appropriate.

Pilot Fitness for Duty

Pilots should not accept or continue a mission if impaired by:

Illness
Fatigue
Medication effects
Stress
Other conditions affecting safe performance

Professional pilots are expected to self-evaluate before flight.

Independent Decision-Making

A ferry pilot often operates away from a company base.

The pilot must be comfortable making responsible decisions involving:

Weather
Fuel
Diversions
Delays
Maintenance concerns
Airport changes

Independent judgment is a core ferry-pilot skill.

Cross-Country Logistics

Pilots should be comfortable managing:

Airline tickets
Rental cars
Rideshare
Hotels
Remote airports
Ground transportation
Changing schedules

Aircraft delivery begins before the pilot reaches the airplane and continues until the aircraft is handed over.

Travel Expense Documentation

Pilots may need to submit documentation for:

Airline
Hotel
Rental car
Rideshare
Other approved mission expenses

Receipts should be:

Retained
Legible
Submitted promptly

Ferry Pilot Compensation

Compensation can vary based on:

Aircraft
Pilot qualification
Mission
Number of days
Crew structure
Complexity
Travel requirements

Qualification for the network does not guarantee:

Specific compensation
Minimum assignments
Regular work
Full-time employment

Network Approval Does Not Guarantee Work

Joining the Ferry Flight USA pilot network means a pilot may be considered for appropriate assignments.

It does not guarantee:

Work
Minimum flight hours
A specific aircraft
A specific route
A specific rate

Assignments depend on customer demand and pilot fit.

Mission Acceptance

Before accepting a ferry assignment, pilots should review:

Aircraft make/model
Aircraft status
Route
Insurance requirements
Timing
Compensation
Expenses
Special mission requirements

A pilot should decline the mission if it does not fit their:

Qualifications
Experience
Availability
Personal minimums

Declining an Inappropriate Mission Is Professional

Ferry Flight USA should encourage pilots to say:

“I am not the right pilot for this mission.”

when that is true.

A pilot should never exaggerate experience merely to obtain an assignment.

Qualification Review Process

1. Pilot Profile Submitted

Applicant provides:

Certificates
Ratings
Flight time
Aircraft experience
Home airport
Availability

2. Qualification Information Reviewed

Ferry Flight USA evaluates the pilot’s overall profile.

3. Pilot Added to the Appropriate Candidate Pool

Potential categories may include:

Piston single
Complex single
Tailwheel
Piston twin
Pressurized piston
Turbine
Light jet
Midsize jet

This does not constitute approval for every aircraft in the category.

4. Customer Mission Received

The mission provides:

Aircraft
Origin
Destination
Timing
Insurance requirements
Mission requirements

5. Pilot Candidates Matched

Candidates are evaluated based on:

Aircraft experience
Ratings
Insurance
Geography
Availability
Route

6. Insurance Compatibility Confirmed

Where applicable, pilot qualifications are reviewed against the aircraft’s insurance requirements.

Your current aircraft-delivery process already specifically reviews pilot qualifications and insurance before assignment.

7. Pilot Receives Mission Details

The pilot can evaluate the assignment.

8. Pilot Accepts or Declines

Acceptance should occur only when the pilot believes the assignment fits their qualifications and availability.

9. Final Mission Approval

Aircraft status, pilot eligibility, insurance, and logistics are confirmed before dispatch.

Recommended Pilot Qualification Categories

For internal operations, Ferry Flight USA should tag each pilot by:

Aircraft-Specific Tags

Examples:

C172
C182
C206
PA-28
PA-32
PA-44
PA-34
Bonanza
Baron
Cirrus
Mooney
Aerostar
Cessna 300/400-series twins
Specific jet types

Applying as a Ferry Flight USA Pilot

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

Identification

Full name
Contact information
City/state
Home airport

Pilot Credentials

Certificate
Ratings
Medical status where applicable
CFI/CFII/MEI if held
Type ratings

Flight Time

Total
PIC
Cross-country
Instrument
Single-engine
Multi-engine
Complex
High-performance
Tailwheel
Pressurized
Turbine
Jet

Aircraft Experience

For each model:

Make
Model
Total time
PIC time
Last flown

Specialized Experience

Mountain
Alaska
Canada/international
Ferry permit
Bush operations
Long-range cross-country

Training

Flight review date
Recurrent training
Simulator training
Training provider

Availability

Home base
Normal availability
Short-notice availability
Maximum mission duration
Nationwide travel willingness

APPLY TO BECOME A FERRY PILOT

Frequently Asked Questions About Ferry Pilot Requirements

What are the minimum requirements to become a ferry pilot?

There is no universal minimum that qualifies a pilot for every aircraft. Requirements depend on the aircraft, mission, FAA privileges, insurance, route, and customer requirements.

Do I need a commercial pilot certificate?

Compensated professional ferry assignments require the pilot to possess the privileges appropriate for the operation. Applicants should accurately identify their certificate and limitations.

Do I need an instrument rating?

Not every ferry flight is necessarily IFR, but an instrument rating can be important or required for many professional cross-country assignments.

How many hours do I need?

There is no universal total-time threshold. Insurance and aircraft-specific requirements vary.

Is total flight time the most important factor?

No. Relevant aircraft experience can matter as much as or more than raw total time.

Do I need make/model time?

Some missions and insurance policies require it.

Can a low-time commercial pilot qualify?

Potentially for certain common aircraft and missions if all regulatory, experience, and insurance requirements are met. Acceptance does not guarantee assignment.

Can a CFI qualify?

Yes, when the instructor’s experience fits the aircraft and insurance requirements.

Do I need multi-engine time for twin assignments?

Yes. Pilots must hold the appropriate rating, and additional multi-engine or make/model time may be required.

Is a multi-engine rating enough for an Aerostar?

Not necessarily. Specialized high-performance twins can require significant model-specific and insurance-qualified experience.

What do you require for tailwheel aircraft?

At minimum, the pilot must satisfy applicable tailwheel qualification requirements, but additional experience and insurance approval may be required.

What do you require for jets?

Jet assignments may require an applicable type rating, recurrent training, time in type, PIC/SIC qualifications, and insurance approval.

Do you require recurrent training?

Certain aircraft, customers, and insurance policies may require it.

Does the insurance company approve the pilot?

Sometimes. Some policies may require explicit approval, while others establish minimum qualifications.

Can I be accepted into the network but not qualify for a particular mission?

Yes. Pilot-network status is not blanket approval for every aircraft.

Do I need mountain experience?

Not for every mission, but mountain experience may be an important consideration for certain Mountain West routes and airports.

Do I need Alaska experience?

Only for missions where it is appropriate or required.

Can I fly a ferry-permit aircraft?

Potentially, if you meet the aircraft, FAA, permit, experience, and insurance requirements for that specific mission.

Can I decline a mission?

Yes. Pilots should decline assignments outside their qualifications, availability, or personal minimums.

Does joining the network guarantee work?

No.

What documents should I submit?

Depending on the pilot and missions sought, requested documents may include pilot certificates, medical documentation where applicable, resume, flight-time summary, type ratings, and recent training records.

Ferry Flight USA Pilot Standard

Our goal is not to find the pilot who is simply willing to fly the aircraft.

Our goal is to identify:

The Right Pilot for the Right Aircraft and the Right Mission.

That means evaluating:

FAA Qualifications

Aircraft Experience

Insurance Compatibility

Mission Requirements

Weather & Terrain Experience

Professional Judgment

and:

Customer Requirements

before the airplane moves.

Aircraft Ferry Pilot Requirements

Qualified • Insurable • Aircraft-Specific • Mission-Specific

APPLY TO JOIN THE FERRY FLIGHT USA PILOT NETWORK