|
FAA Aircraft Registration
EligibilityIf you purchase an aircraft, you must apply for a Certificate of Aircraft Registration from the FAA Aircraft Registry before it can be operated.
To be eligible for registration in the United States, an aircraft must be owned by: 1. A U.S. citizen, which can be an individual or a corporation. If a corporation, the president and two thirds of the board of directors must be U.S. citizens and 75% of the voting interest must be owned or controlled by U.S. citizens; 2. A resident alien; 3. A non-citizen corporation lawfully organized and doing business under the laws of the U.S. as long as the aircraft is used primarily in the U.S. (60% of all flights must be start and end in the U.S.); or 4. A U.S. Government unit or subdivision Also to be eligible for registration in the United States, the aircraft cannot be registered in another country. So if the aircraft was previously registered in a foreign country make sure you have a copy of the de-registration notice. This is usually in the form of a telex or fax message from the foreign civil aviation authority to the FAA. How to RegisterOnce you have purchased an aircraft, you should immediately submit evidence of ownership, an Aircraft Registration Application AC 8050-1, and a $5 registration fee to: Federal Aviation Administration Form 8050-1's can be obtained from your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Fees required for aircraft registration may be paid by check or money order made payable to the Treasury of the United States. Evidence of OwnershipEvidence of ownership can be shown on a AC Form 8050-2, Aircraft Bill of Sale, or similarly worded document. If a conditional sales contract is the evidence of ownership, an additional $5 fee is required to record that document. You can download a copy of this form by clicking here - Aircraft Registration Bill of Sale
Application Form (FAA Form 8050-1)The application Form 8050-1 includes instructions on how to fill the form out. Submit the white and green copies to the FAA Registry; keep the pink copy in your aircraft as evidence of application for registration until you receive your Certificate of Aircraft Registration. The pink copy is good for 90 days and is only legal in the United States. If you plan to operate the aircraft out of the United States, you need to contact the FAA Registry and obtain a fax temporary authority (fly-wire). You cannot use the pink copy of the application outside the U.S. An aircraft owner may also use the application form to report a change of address. The FAA will issue a revised certificate at no charge. However, if the certificate is lost, destroyed, or mutilated, a replacement certificate may be obtained at the written request of the holder for a $2.00 fee. You should send the request for replacement along with a $2.00 (check or money order) to: Federal Aviation Administration The request should describe the aircraft by make, model, serial number, and registration number. If operation of the aircraft is necessary before receipt of the duplicate certificate, the FAA Registry may, if requested, send temporary authority by fax. Include in your request your full address, fax number, and a telephone number where you can be reached. Registration Certificates (FAA Form 8050-3)A Certificate of Aircraft Registration should be in the aircraft before an Airworthiness Certificate can be issued. The Certificate of Aircraft Registration becomes invalid, as described in FAR Part 47.41 when: 1. The aircraft becomes registered under the laws of a foreign country;2. The registration of the aircraft is canceled at the written request of the holder of the certificate;3. The aircraft is totally destroyed or scrapped;4. The holder of the certificate loses his or her U.S. citizenship or status as an alien without becoming a U.S. citizen;5. The ownership of the aircraft is transferred; or6. Thirty days have elapsed since the death of the holder of the certificate. When an aircraft is destroyed, scrapped, or sold, the owner shall notify the FAA by filling in the back of the Certificate of Aircraft Registration and mailing it to: Federal Aviation Administration The U.S. registration and nationality marking should be removed from an aircraft before it is delivered to a purchaser who is not eligible to register it in the United States. The endorsed Certificate of Aircraft Registration should be forwarded to the FAA Registry. A dealer's aircraft registration certificate is another form of registration. It is valid only for flights within the United States by the manufacturer or a dealer for flight testing or demonstration for sale. It should be removed by the dealer when the aircraft is sold. The certificate of registration serves as conclusive evidence of nationality but is not a title and is not evidence of ownership in any proceeding in which ownership is at issue. Registration Number (N-Number)A U.S. identification number or "N-number" of your choice may be reserved, if available. This number may not exceed five characters in addition to the prefix letter "N." All of the five characters may be numbers (N11111) or four numbers and one suffix letter (N1000A) or one to three numbers and or two suffix letters (N100AA) may be used. In your written request, list up to five numbers in order of preference in the event the first choice is not available; also include a $10 fee. If your request is approved, you are notified that the number has been reserved for 1 year. You are also informed that this reservation may be extended on a yearly basis for a $10 renewal fee. When you are ready to place the number on your aircraft, you should request permission by forwarding a complete description of the aircraft to the FAA Registry. Permission to place the special number on your aircraft is given on AC Form 8050-64, Assignment of Special Registration Numbers. When the number is placed on your aircraft, sign and return the original to the FAA Registry within 5 days. The duplicate of AC Form 8050-64, together with your Airworthiness Certificate, should be presented to an Aviation Safety Inspector within 10 days from placing the new registration number on your aircraft. The inspector will issue a revised Airworthiness Certificate showing the new registration number. The old registration certificate and the duplicate AC Form 8050-64 should be carried in the aircraft until the new registration certificate is received. (Refer to FAR Part 91.203(a)(1).) Registration of Amateur-Built AircraftAC Form 8050-88, Identification Number Assignment and Registration of Amateur-Built Aircraft, is used by the FAA Registry to notify you of action taken on your application for registration of amateur built aircraft. The reverse side of AC Form 8050-88 is an Affidavit of Ownership for an amateur-built aircraft. Complete the reverse side of AC Form 8050-88 when applying for registration of an amateur-built aircraft. You may designate an aircraft serial number of your choice at this time. This becomes the official aircraft serial number. Submit AC Form 8050-88 along with AC Form 8050-1 to register your aircraft. If you have not reserved a special N number, the FAA Registry assigns a number at this time.
Back to the Standard Airworthiness Certification Page
|
|
|
