You need to pursue FAA deregistration when your aircraft is no longer eligible, active, or required to remain on the FAA aircraft registry. This applies when your aircraft is sold abroad, destroyed, retired, or ownership changes, requiring removal from the FAA registry.
Deregistration ensures your name, as owner, is no longer legally tied to that aircraft or responsible for related liabilities. The FAA may still associate you with ownership duties unless deregistration is completed properly after the aircraft’s transfer or sale.
Common Reasons to Deregister Your Aircraft
Aircraft ownership comes with responsibilities, including making sure its registration status accurately reflects reality. Some of the most common circumstances that require deregistration include:
- The aircraft has been exported to another country and must now comply with that country’s civil aviation authority.
- The aircraft has been dismantled, scrapped, or permanently retired.
- Ownership has changed in a way that makes the registration invalid, such as a transfer of ownership outside of the United States.
- The aircraft is destroyed in an accident or becomes permanently inoperable.
- The owner wishes to ensure their liability is fully severed after the sale or transfer of the aircraft.
Each of these scenarios requires prompt action, as leaving an aircraft registered when it should not be can have unintended consequences.
What Happens If You Do Not Deregister?
If you do not deregister an aircraft when required, the FAA will continue to list you as the registered owner. This creates a host of possible problems:
- Liability: If the aircraft is operated abroad, you may still be linked to it on paper, which could expose you to legal or financial liability.
- Regulatory violations: Operating or failing to correct inaccurate registration records may result in penalties. According to FAA rules, knowingly maintaining false registration data can carry civil fines and enforcement actions.
- Delays in future transactions: If you plan to purchase another aircraft or need to engage with the FAA for other registrations, unresolved deregistration matters can create complications.
- International complications: Aircraft exported without proper deregistration cannot be smoothly registered in another country, often delaying delivery to new buyers.
The FAA makes clear in regulations such as 14 CFR 47.47 that failing to keep aircraft registration records accurate, including deregistration when necessary, is a violation of federal requirements.
Penalties and Consequences
The FAA requires that all aircraft listed on its registry maintain accurate information. Continuing to appear as the owner of an aircraft you no longer possess may create the following consequences:
- Civil penalties or fines for failing to comply with registration requirements.
- Possible restrictions on other FAA registration services you may need in the future, such as FAA registration renewal.
- Difficulties in exporting or completing the transfer of the aircraft, particularly when foreign authorities demand proof of deregistration before allowing re-registration.
- Unnecessary correspondence from the FAA that continues to treat you as the responsible owner.
Deregistration is not optional once it becomes applicable. The FAA holds owners accountable for following through, and avoiding this step exposes you to avoidable risk.
How We Simplify FAA Deregistration
We understand that dealing with deregistration paperwork can be stressful. Our service is designed to help you file quickly, accurately, and without unnecessary delays. Instead of sorting through confusing forms and guidelines on your own, we provide an online platform that makes the process straightforward.
By working with us, you avoid:
- Searching for the right forms and ensuring they are up-to-date.
- Risking errors that can result in delays or rejections.
- Spending hours mailing, faxing, or waiting for confirmation.
Our team is here to ensure your deregistration is processed properly, allowing you to move on without worry about lingering liabilities.
How Deregistration Fits Into Aircraft Ownership
Aircraft registration is not a one-time obligation; it evolves with ownership. While registration begins at purchase, responsibilities continue through renewals, transfers, and, ultimately, deregistration. FAA registration renewal is vital when you continue operating your aircraft, but deregistration becomes just as important when your connection to the aircraft ends.
Without deregistration, your FAA record remains tied to the aircraft, which may lead to serious complications down the line. We streamline both ends of this process, from initial aircraft registration to ensuring your deregistration is finalized when required.
Why Deregistration Is Important for International Transactions
One of the most common scenarios we assist with involves international sales. A buyer in another country cannot register the aircraft under their authority until it is removed from the FAA registry. Incomplete deregistration can stall sales, frustrate buyers, and even lead to the collapse of an agreement.
When we handle deregistration for you, the process moves efficiently, reducing the chance of costly delays. This ensures that your aircraft can transition smoothly to its next stage, whether that is service in another country or retirement from use.
A Hassle-Free Approach to FAA Compliance
We offer services that minimize the burden of compliance, helping you avoid unnecessary back-and-forth with federal offices. Our streamlined platform makes deregistration, FAA registration renewal, and aircraft registration easier for owners who value efficiency and accuracy. Instead of worrying about paperwork or missing steps, you can rely on us to manage the process from beginning to end.
A Portal for All of Your FAA Deregistration and Registration Needs
If you no longer need your aircraft registered, it is crucial to act quickly to ensure the FAA records reflect that change. Deregistration protects you from penalties, removes you from liability, and ensures compliance with regulations that govern aircraft ownership.
Our team at the National Aviation Center makes this process simple, fast, and reliable. From deregistration to renewal and initial registration, we provide the support and services you need to manage all aspects of FAA documentation. Let us help you save time, reduce stress, and stay compliant with federal requirements.
Take the next step today with us and make your deregistration—and any other FAA registration needs—easier than ever.