FAA aircraft registration extension goes into effect, NBAA weighs in

The FAA’s final running to extend the duration of aircraft registration certificates has gone into effect and the NBAA has weighed in.

The rule extends the duration of the AC Form 8050-3, Certificate of Aircraft Registration from three to seven years. The rule also extends the authority to operate temporarily within the U.S. on a copy of AC Form 8050-1, Aircraft Registration Application, for a period of one year, pending the receipt of the official certificate of aircraft registration.

“The direct final rule is an excellent solution by the FAA to address the aircraft registry backlog problem,” Chair of NBAA’s Regulatory Issues Advisory Committee Scott McCreary said. “It will reduce the churning of the documents that were required before to renew aircraft registrations on a more frequent basis.”

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McCreary warned aircraft owners of two confusions in connection with the final rule.

The first caution pertains to the expiration date on a current certificate. The current certificates will show an expiration date, but the final ruling will automatically supersede or extend that date. Flights outside the U.S. may face problems with foreign civil aviation authorities.

The FAA is issuing new certificates of aircraft registration to any impacted owners, the first should receive new certificates this week. The NBAA said the FAA hopes to have new certificates for owners with expiration dates between now and June 30, by the end of March.

Another caution is for the temporary authority to operate on a copy of the registration, anywhere from 90 days to 12 months. The NBAA commented that with the current FAA backlog, aircraft owners may only have one chance to refile any documents that have been rejected. If any document is rejected or questioned on more than one occasion, owners and operators may surpass the 12 months and face consequences.

“Parties need to be sure the documents they are filing are in order,” McCreary said. “If those documents are reviewed and rejected after five or six months and a second attempt is unsatisfactory, the aircraft registration might not be complete within 12 months and the aircraft would be grounded. It is still important to complete your due diligence and file documents that are recordable the first time.”

The NBAA had commented on the FAA’s final ruling in late December. The organization requested clarification on the ruling ahead of it going into effect. The NBAA praised the initial ruling, feeling there would be a smooth implementation process while requesting clarification on certain phrases and wording. The change was hoped to reduce the burden faced by the FAA and lower the number of ownership renewal applications.

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The backlog for the FAA has continued into 2023. Transactions are taking longer and any error can cause serious delays. In December, the FAA announced an abrupt restriction to access to images, materials and documents related to aircraft registration and transactions, limited access to federal employees and contractors.

These documents included previously filed statements, powers of attorney, trust documents and name change and merger documents. This restriction is another cause for delay and backlog.

“While this announcement could lead to some additional delays, limiting access to agency personnel is also part of the FAA’s effort to address this ongoing backlog,” NBAA Director of flight operations and regulations Brian Koester said.