USAIG strengthens its efforts to promote safe flight with the appointment of Paul S. Ratté as its new director of aviation safety programs.

Ratté, a career U.S. Coast Guard aviator, offers a wealth of advanced experience in aviation operations, safety and human factors, and emergency response management. He is among the service’s most decorated aviators, with two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Air Medal awarded for lifesaving rescues at night.

He will draw on his extensive experience to guide a wide range of USAIG initiatives designed to improve aviation safety through education, incentives and proactive solutions tailored to every type of flight operation, from single aircraft operators to major flight departments.

David L. McKay, USAIG president and COO said, “We are delighted to welcome Paul as a member of the USAIG team. As we build on and expand our safety programs for aircraft operators of every type and mission, we required a strong leader with an extensive background in aviation operations. Paul offers an outstanding mix of expertise and the drive to share his broad knowledge and dedication to safety.”

Ratté’s experience provides deep insight into the traits that define excellence for flight operations. He began his active duty career in the US Coast Guard in 1984. He most recently served as Commanding Officer of USCG Air Station, Atlantic City, New Jersey – a ten-helicopter, 270-person installation responsible for unique airspace protection duties in the nation’s capital in addition to maritime emergency response and security operations from New York to Virginia.

After completing naval flight training in Pensacola, FL, in 1987, he accrued 5,000-plus hours flying Sikorsky HH-3, HH-60 and Eurocopter HH-65 helicopters while operating in the Atlantic, Alaskan, Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes regions.

He served nine years as an instructor pilot and helicopter standardization evaluator at the USCG Aviation Training Center. He also served as Flight Operations Director at the service’s largest air station in Clearwater, FL, and ultimately commanded two USCG Air Stations.

About USAIG
United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) provides a complete spectrum of coverage options for owners, operators, manufacturers and maintainers of corporate, private and commercial aircraft. This U.S.-based insurance pool was founded in 1928 by World War I pilots and businessmen David Beebe and Reed Chambers. It has been a member of NBAA since 1953. In its efforts to remain the world’s leading aviation underwriting company, USAIG constantly innovates to deliver unique aviation insurance products and services. That includes introducing the industry’s first science-based, risk-reducing fatigue-management solution.

USAIG is managed by the United States Aviation Underwriters (USAU), which is responsible for selecting business submitted by licensed producers , underwriting, binding coverages, issuing policies, arranging and collecting reinsurance, collecting premiums and settling claims on the pool’s behalf. It is headquartered in the New York financial district and maintains the industry’s most extensive network of underwriting and field claims offices. USAU’s wholly owned subsidiary, Toronto-based Canadian Aviation Insurance Managers (CAIM) manages the Canadian Aircraft Insurance Group (CAIG) insurance pool. USAIG is a subsidiary of General Re Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company.