It takes a unique sort of individual to want to fly their own aircraft. While some may get nervous at the thought of being thousands of feet above the ground completely on their own, to you that is just an ideal way to spend an afternoon. Of course, it does take a lot of work to earn that sort of privilege. You have to complete many hours of course study and cockpit instruction before taking your pilot’s license exam–which is no easy task. You will also need to do fairly regular continuing education coursework to stay on top of the latest safety guidelines. Owning your own plane also comes with a lot of responsibility–in addition to an often hefty price tag. You need to keep your plane clean and well-maintained and stay on top of your Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) paperwork. At the outset of your time as a plane owner, this will mean processing an initial registration application. Periodically, you will also need to file an aircraft renewal, and at the National Aviation Center, we can help you do this online.
If you happen to own your own plane, it is probably one of your most cherished possessions. After all, you may have saved for months or even years in order to finalize your purchase. You also performed a lot of due diligence before ultimately pulling the trigger on the plane of your dreams. With this in mind, it makes sense that you would handle your aircraft with the utmost care. In addition to making sure your engines are running properly, you should also exercise this level of care with your FAA paperwork. The FAA, which has been around for about 70 years as we know it today, is responsible for keeping our skies safe and well-regulated. One way in which they accomplish this is by maintaining an accurate registry of all aircraft operating in U.S. skies. For the sake of the completeness of their records, you will be asked to renew your registration from time to time so that they can stay informed on any changes pertaining to your aircraft.
How to Fill Out an FAA Aircraft Renewal
When a plane is first purchased, it is registered by completing what is called a Form AC 8050-1 – Aircraft Registration Application. This FAA form will ask for your name and address, as well as the make, model, and a serial number of your aircraft. Your registration is a central component of your FAA documentation, and it also provides your plane with its N-number (sometimes called a tail number).
An FAA aircraft registration is valid for a period of three years. Approximately six months before your registration’s expiration date, you will be sent a renewal reminder notice containing a special security code which will need to be filled in on your renewal application. The FAA will send you another reminder eight weeks out from your expiration period.
Process Your Paperwork Online
We can help you submit a renewal or initial registration application online with our fillable web forms. To learn more about the additional FAA documentation services we provide, take a few minutes to explore our navigation menu.