Thursday at SUN ’n FUN, OpenAirplane unveiled a new service that helps aircraft owners join the “sharing economy.”

With “Collaborative Aircraft Rental” owners can rent their airplanes to pilots who have passed the OpenAirplane universal checkout. “Someplace between sole ownership, and leasing the airplane back is a happy place where you can occasionally rent your airplane to well qualified pilots,” said Rod Rakic, co-founder of OpenAirplane, “Putting your airplane to work when you’re not flying it makes sense for many owners.”

Along with supporting OpenAirplane pilots with personal and CFI non-owned insurance products (available for single, multi-engine and piston rotorcraft), Starr Aviation created a new kind of insurance policy that offers coverage for aircraft owners who want to make their aircraft available exclusively to pilots using OpenAirplane. OpenAirplane is shaking up the way people think about aircraft rental in a good way. By establishing a sensible universal checkout and annual training requirements, we are pleased to support the OpenAirplane initiative to broaden the rental base while maintaining a high level of safety, explained Jim Anderson, Senior Vice President at Starr Aviation.

Owners can inquire about getting their aircraft insured for rental by OpenAirplane pilots through their aviation insurance specialist, or they can contact Starr Aviation to find a broker. Find out more at Owners.OpenAirplane.com.

The OpenAirplane network has grown to 52 locations across the U.S., offering over 180 aircraft for rent. More than 6,000 pilots have signed up to fly with OpenAirplane since the service launched in June of 2013.

The OpenAirplane Universal Pilot Checkout allows FBOs around the country to verify a pilot’s qualifications and training in each make and model aircraft. Pilots gain access to planes around the U.S. without the usual hassle and expense of performing local checkouts before they rent airplanes, company officials explain.

Recognized by the insurance industry, pilots who participate in the OpenAirplane standardization/evaluation program often earn discounts on their renter’s insurance premiums.

It is free for pilots and aircraft owners to sign up for OpenAirplane.