Indiana § 8-21-3-1 - Definitions

§ 8-21-3-1. Definitions

Sec. 1. The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for the purpose of this chapter, unless a different meaning appears from the context, have the following meanings:

(1) The singular shall include the plural; the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, as requisite.

(2) "Aircraft" means any contrivance used or designed for navigation of or flight in the air.

(3) "Aircraft accident" means any mishap involving an aircraft resulting in injury or damage to such aircraft or to any person, property, or thing.

(4) "Department" refers to the Indiana department of transportation; and "state" or "this state" means the state of Indiana.

(5) "Insured" means the person in whose name there is issued an aircraft liability policy (as defined in section 12 of this chapter) and any other person insured under the terms of such policy.

(6) "Judgment" means any judgment, except a judgment rendered against this state or any political subdivision of this state or any municipality in this state, which shall have become final by expiration without appeal of the time within which appeal might have been perfected, or by final affirmation on appeal, rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction of any state or of the United States.

(7) "Operation of aircraft" or "operate aircraft" means the use of aircraft for the purpose of air navigation, and includes the navigation or piloting of aircraft. Any person who causes or authorizes the operation of aircraft, whether with or without the right of legal control (in the capacity of owner, lessee, aircraft sales broker, or otherwise) of the aircraft, including an aircraft otherwise considered inventory, if it is operated in flight, shall be deemed to be engaged in the operation of aircraft within the meaning of the statutes of this state.

(8) "Operator" means any person who is in actual physical control of an aircraft.

(9) "Owner" means any person in whose name the aircraft is certificated, licensed, or registered by appropriate federal or state authority.

(10) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, limited liability company, association, joint stock association, or body politic; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or other similar representative of an entity described in this subdivision.

(11) "Policy" or "insurance policy" means an aircraft liability policy conforming to section 12 of this chapter.

(12) "Proof of financial responsibility" has the meaning set forth in section 8 of this chapter.

Formerly: Acts 1951, c.267, s.1; Acts 1953, c.85, s.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.316; P.L.18-1990, SEC.156; P.L.8-1993, SEC.148; P.L.102-2015, SEC.3; P.L.136-2018, SEC.102; P.L.50-2024, SEC.1.