aircraft registration

When to File an Aircraft Registration Change of Address

Is aviation your primary pastime? If you have an affinity for all things airborne, you may be the nomadic type. After all, owning your own plane allows you the freedom to travel whenever you would like, wherever you would like. While this sort of mobility is great for long weekend excursions, it may also show up in your life on the ground from time to time. There are all sorts of reasons that can precipitate a move–maybe you want to be closer to family? Perhaps you got a new job? Or, it could just be time to get away from the winter in a permanent way. Regardless of why you are moving, you can expect to have to complete some paperwork in addition to packing up your stuff. You will need to update your address with your bank, insurance providers, utility accounts, and more. The Federal Aviation Administration will also need to be notified in order to keep your aircraft’s registration up-to-date. This is done by completing what is called an aircraft registration change of address, and at the National Aviation Center, we can help you do this online.

If you are an aviator, you are probably no stranger to working with the FAA. In fact, they have probably been with you every step of the way, from first obtaining your pilot’s license, to register your aircraft. The FAA is a large federal agency, and they are tasked with keeping our skies safe for all aviators and passengers. One way in which they can do this is by maintaining accurate records for every plane in the air. A key aspect of this is having the proper mailing addresses for registered airmen. There is also a benefit for you, as a plane owner, for keeping your address current. The FAA will periodically reach out to you for feedback on potential regulation changes, and they can inform you of upcoming seminars and events in your area.

How to Complete an Aircraft Registration Change of Address

When you first purchased your plane, you had to file an initial registration document with the FAA. This was done by completing Form AC 8050-1 – Aircraft Registration Application. This document asked for some basic details about you and your plane, and as you probably know, it requires renewal once every three years. While that frequency may seem excessive, it is actually necessary for the FAA to stay on top of any changes pertaining to an aircraft’s ownership. If you happen to move to a new home between registration renewals, you will have 30 days to notify the FAA. There are a couple of ways to do this.

You can compose a letter containing some information about your plane, your old address, and your new address, and mail it to the FAA for processing. You can also save yourself some time by using our simplified online form, and be done with just a few clicks.

aircraft registration

Get the FAA Documents You Need Online

We have all the FAA documents you need on one convenient site. To learn more about how we can help you keep your plane cleared for takeoff, take a few minutes to browse our helpful Frequently Asked Questions page.