In the United States we recently celebrated Memorial Day which is the unofficial start of summer. It also coincides with the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Nearly all major forecasting agencies are predicting the 2024 season to be above normal with several different factors impacting the predictions.
As hurricane tracking ramps up during hurricane season, aviation operations along both the east and west coasts go into prevention mode. Preparing for a potential hurricane has become part of doing business in the coastal areas. But what about aviation business in say Wichita?
A hurricane’s impact is most immediately felt within a coastal area. However, other areas of the country are most definitely affected by such storms. Not only do aviation facilities have to be concerned about how to reroute traffic or accommodate aircraft storage for coastal-based operators, but they must also prepare for possible disruption should rain or winds from a hurricane impact their immediate area. For no location, it seems, is immune.
Case in point: By the time Superstorm Sandy hit with force in the fall of 2013, no one could have imagined how far-reaching the storm’s destruction would be. Coastal New Jersey was the hardest hit, but the damage extended into Indiana and Illinois, hundreds of miles from the storm’s center. 1.
While Sandy was an uncommon occurrence, such storms are increasingly likely to occur. Thanks to sea level rise and temperature increases, scientists predict that the 1-in-100-years storm like Sandy are 2.
In a typical Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from approximately June 1 to November 30, the thirty-year average season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes of Category 3 or above. The Pacific hurricane season, extending from May 15 through November 30, has an average of 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released forecasts for the 2024 Atlantic season with a range of 17 – 25 total named storms with 8 – 13 becoming hurricanes and 4-7 becoming major hurricanes. Similar predictions have been made by other forecasters3.
Put a process in place that designates who will make the decisions about moving the aircraft. We recommend that your designee also take an active role in monitoring weather activity.
Storm Protection Plan
Having a plan, therefore, is essential to keeping aircraft safe in the event of a hurricane. For our aviation clients, we recommend the following:
Utilize the various reporting/prediction services. AXA XL’s Aerospace experts recommend that aviation operators use two or more of the available prediction/reporting services, such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Colorado State University, Tropical Storm Risk, UK Met Office, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, and weather-centric media outlets. Stay alert to updated predictions and storm tracking reports regularly during the season.
Assign responsibility. Put a process in place that designates who will make the decisions about moving the aircraft. We recommend that your designee also take an active role in monitoring weather activity. A principal, chief pilot, or risk management lead or possibly a team of people can make the decision.
Know the added liability. If a hurricane is imminent, know what your liabilities are. If the aircraft stays onsite, does the hangar owner require a hold harmless or other waiver of liability documentation for the aircraft to remain onsite? What is the likelihood for damage to your aircraft? What wind rating does the hangar have? Is it rated to withstand a tropical depression, tropical storm, Cat 1, etc. What are the implications if your aircraft is damaged? Can you afford the downtime of a lengthy repair? How will your insurance be impacted?
Have alternative locations on standby. Plan ahead for where the aircraft can be moved to and know what your insurance policy requires. Common practice is to require policyholders to move the aircraft to another facility that is at least 100 nautical miles from the storm path.
Understand the location limitations. Not every location will be suitable for the aircraft. Is the runway long enough for takeoff/landing with perfect conditions? What about on a contaminated runway with severe weather impacting conditions? Will you hangar the aircraft or tie down on the ramp? Is there any hangar availability? Also, is there anywhere for your pilot or contractor to stay or get transportation from the facility? Having locations secured in advance does not always guarantee there will be space. If the storm is big enough, other facilities could be overrun quickly. Have several locations in mind.
Know which locations are/are not covered. Aviation policies designate a coverage area. Is the destination you have chosen to fly to covered? Generally, US-based locations are covered. However, flying the aircraft to a hangar outside of the US is not always. Almost all policy territories extend coverage to Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean Islands but you might not be covered in parts of Central and South America for example. Always speak with your agent or insurer to be certain of an approved territory.
Know who will fly the aircraft. Will it be an employee pilot or a contract pilot? If the latter, does the pilot meet the pilot requirements listed on your insurance policy? Before employing any outside pilot, make sure to check your open pilot warranty clause to ensure they meet the standards required for coverage. If they do not meet the minimum pilot requirements speak with your agent about having them added as a named pilot on the policy. Your underwriter will ask for a pilot history form and training certificate detailing information specific to the aircraft. Remember, your underwriter has many different accounts and is likely fielding similar requests from other operators. The more time provided for the request and more complete the information the easier it is for them to approve.
Mind the minutiae. Will the pilot be required to stay with the plane in the new location? If so, are there accommodations nearby that the pilot can get to easily? If not, how are they getting home? Also, once the plane is safely out of harm’s way, when will it be returned to its home base? How will that occur?
Keep an eye on coverage. One thing that most insurers will not do is bind new business or increase policy limits directly ahead of a potential storm. If you are concerned that your current coverage is not adequate, talk with your agent or insurer.
Stay Prepared
A well-thought-out plan is key to keeping your aircraft safe and preventing loss. Hurricane events and weather-related threats evolve and change. Having that plan in place can improve your risk mitigation and keep people and property safe. So can knowing what your policy can do for you. Some policies have hurricane protection/reimbursement coverage, which can reimburse a portion of the costs incurred to protect the aircraft if it needs to be relocated to a safer location that is outside of the affected area. Review your policy with your agent or insurer to understand what your contractual requirements are. Make sure that any pilot endorsements are attached and know what types of documentation or receipts you will need to make a claim should the situation arise.
