The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains the world's largest registry of aircraft.
At Evan S. Kagan, P.A. our attorney assists domestic and foreign clients with issues related to aircraft ownership, operation and registration. Our lawyers apply creativity and experience to resolve the unique problems our clients face with aircraft registration.

Aircraft Title Issues

In completing an aircraft transaction, our attorneys work to ensure that clients obtain clear title to their aircraft free of any existing mortgages, liens, or outstanding leases.

FAA Registration by a Non-U.S. Corporation

In order for an aircraft to be registered with the FAA, the registrant must be a “citizen of the United States,” as defined by U.S. statute. A company involved in an aircraft purchase may fail the tests for U.S. citizenship, sometimes inadvertently and sometimes only for the simple reason that the company’s president is not a U.S. citizen. Such registration can often be addressed through use of an owner trust, a voting trust, or another vehicle approved by the FAA. Our attorneys are experienced with implementing these structures for registration.

International Registry

The Cape Town Convention, an international treaty to which the United States is a party, and its Aircraft Protocol, govern international interests in “aircraft objects.” The treaty went into effect in March 2006 and applies to many private and corporate aircraft, even those that are never operated outside the United States. Our attorneys are able to guide clients in determining whether the Cape Town Convention is applicable to the transaction and assisting in the process for registering an international interest, including contracts of sale.