Pilot Experience Forms the High Tech Way

It seems that one of the most dreaded requests that an insured or pilot receives from their insurance agent is a letter asking that they complete, sign and return the enclosed pilot experience form. We know that this can be a real bother for a busy pilot! We know this because rarely is a pilot experience form sent back to us on the first request! It normally takes two requests and sometimes three before the pilot takes the time to bring their logbooks current, fill out the form and eventually return them.

We find that most pilots try to be conscientious about their record keeping. They want to have the available time and current information before they fill out this dreaded piece of paper. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of cajoling from the agent before the policy expires. Many times they will call back at the last minute and ask for a copy of last year's form to update the one for this year. Does any of this sound familiar?

In a effort to encourage all of our insureds and pilots to tend to these requests a bit more expeditiously, I would like to give our clients a better understanding why this piece of paper is so important to the underwriting process. This form gives the underwriter a picture of the pilot's credentials, including occupation, age, flight hours, and logged time, training, loss experience and much more. If it is completed legibly it can relay your accomplishments as a pilot quickly to the underwriter in professional manner. If it thrown together and illegible, it can send the wrong message to the underwriter. As your agent we want to present your account in the best possible light to the underwriter in a timely manner. This helps the underwriter, Falcon and most of all 'you' the insured to arrange broad coverage at a competitive premium.

Some companies would like to see these forms completed each year and others may allow a "long time" insured go two to three years without the form being required. Unfortunately, it seems that the longer the period of time between completion of the forms, the more time consuming it becomes to bring several years of flying up to date on paper. Knowing all of this and in an effort to make the process easier for all busy ABS members, we would like to offer a possible solution to this process.

We have assisted in the development of a secure website that will allow you to record your pilot experience form and maintain it in your own file that is protected by your own User Name and Password. Anytime during the year you would then be able to update your pilot information as your time allowed, download the form onto your printer whenever it is needed, sign it and return it to Halton Hall and Associates by snail mail or fax. The site will even prompt you by email when it is time for your yearly update, wish you a happy birthday, remind you to keep your medical and BFR current.

The name of this website is easypilotlog.com or ezpilotlog.com, and we hope you find it a convenient place to keep your pilot information ready for that next dreaded request. This site is under construction now and should be completed by June 1st.

We understand that there will soon be an on line log book feature added to this site and several other improvements for our busy hard working pilots all free of charge. This is our gift to you to make your life a little easier and less stressful at renewal time. We trust that you will find this sight beneficial. If you have any suggestions for improvements or have any difficulty with the sight, please let us know by email at Tom Bradshaw.