Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 5567 

Accordingly, the Commission is 

issuing this Policy Statement to 

announce that whenever a remand is 

ordered by final judgment or appellate 

decision in a case brought pursuant to 

52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(8)(C), the FEC will 

provide notice of that decision by letter 

within 48 hours to both the email and 

physical address on file. This letter will 

be drafted by the Office of General 

Counsel’s Litigation Division, in 

consultation with the Enforcement 

Division, and will enclose the relevant 

opinion and order. Further, the letter 

will note any deadline for Commission 

action and advise that the Commission 

will consider any supplemental 

response or material the Respondent 

may wish to provide for the purpose of 

the remand. 

This policy describes how the 

Commission will provide notice to 

Respondents of opinions and orders that 

result in a remand in cases brought 

pursuant to 52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(8). The 

policy does not confer any rights on any 

person and does not in any way limit 

the right of the Commission to evaluate 

every MUR based upon its particular 

facts and circumstances. 

This document represents a general 

statement of policy announcing the 

general course of action that the 

Commission intends to follow. This 

policy statement does not constitute an 

agency regulation requiring notice of 

proposed rulemaking, opportunities for 

public participation, prior publication, 

and delay effective under 5 U.S.C. 553 

of the Administrative Procedure Act 

(‘‘APA’’). As such, it does not bind the 

Commission or any member of the 

general public. The provisions of the 

Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 

605(b), which apply when notice and 

comment are required by the APA or 

other relevant statute, are not 

applicable. 

Dated: December 19, 2024. 

On behalf of the Commission, 

Sean J. Cooksey, 

Chairman, Federal Election Commission. 

[FR Doc. 2024–31124 Filed 1–16–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6715–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 47 

[Docket No.: FAA–2024–2765; Amdt. No. 

47–36] 

RIN 2120–AM08 

Electronic Issuance of Aircraft 

Registration and Dealer Certificates 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This rulemaking amends FAA 

regulations pertaining to aircraft 

registration and dealer’s registration 

certificates to facilitate the electronic 

issuance of these certificates. Electronic 

issuance of the certificates is more 

efficient and cost effective than the 

traditional agency procedure of printing 

paper registration certificates and 

mailing them to aircraft owners and 

dealers. 

DATES: Effective January 17, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Wendolynn Hendrick, Aircraft 

Registration Branch, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 6500 S MacArthur 

Blvd., Bldg 29, Oklahoma City, OK 

73169; telephone (405) 954–3131; email 

Wendolynn.R.Hedrick@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules on 

aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the 

United States Code (49 U.S.C.). Subtitle 

I, section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 

Aviation Programs, describes in more 

detail the scope of the FAA’s authority. 

This rulemaking is promulgated under 

the authority described in 49 U.S.C. 

106(f), which establishes the authority 

of the Administrator to promulgate 

regulations and rules; and 49 U.S.C. 

44701(a)(5), which requires the 

Administrator to promote safe flight of 

civil aircraft in air commerce by 

prescribing regulations and setting 

minimum standards for other practices, 

methods, and procedures necessary for 

safety in air commerce and national 

security. 

This rulemaking is also promulgated 

pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44101–44106 and 

44110–44113, which require aircraft to 

be registered as a condition of operation 

and establish the requirements for 

registration and registration processes. 

The FAA Civil Aviation Registry is 

responsible for the registration and 

recordation of civil aircraft. 

The regulations in this rule are within 

the scope of that authority because they 

provide for the electronic issuance of 

aircraft registration and dealer’s 

registration certificates. 

II. Immediate Adoption of Final Rule 

The notice and comment procedures 

required under section 553(b) of the 

Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 

U.S.C. 553) do not apply to rules of 

‘‘agency organization, procedure, or 

practice.’’ Under this section, an agency 

may issue a final rule without seeking 

comment prior to the rulemaking. This 

rulemaking updates the regulations for 

aircraft registration and recordation in 

part 47 of title 14 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations (14 CFR) to provide for the 

electronic issuance of aircraft 

registration and dealer’s registration 

certificates. This rule does not alter the 

substantive rights or obligations of 

persons applying for aircraft registration 

or dealer’s certificates, only the 

procedures by which the FAA issues 

such certificates. Therefore, the FAA 

has determined that this rulemaking is 

a rule of agency procedure or practice 

for which notice and public comment 

are not required. 

Accordingly, because this is a rule of 

agency practice or procedure for which 

notice and public comment is not 

required, the FAA also finds good cause 

to waive the delay of the effective date 

as set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(d). This rule 

will be immediately effective upon 

publication. 

III. Background 

A. Background and Current Processes 

The Civil Aviation Registry, FAA 

Aircraft Registration Branch (Registry) is 

responsible for developing, maintaining, 

and operating the Federal registration 

and recordation system for United 

States civil aircraft. Within these 

functions is the statutory requirement 

for issuance of aircraft registration and 

dealer’s registration certificates. 

Currently, the Registry issues 

certificates in the physical form of a 4’’ 

x 9’’ document printed on card stock. 

The Registry delivers both aircraft 

registration certificates and aircraft 

dealer certificates in paper form. The 

Registry issues over 5,000 of these 

certificates per month. These certificates 

are then delivered as bulk mail to 

registrants in approximately 7–10 

business days. 

Due to the long delivery time required 

by using regular mail, the Registry has 

had to create special priority processes 

to meet the demands of a changing fastpaced environment of the aviation 

industry. Costs involved in this process 


KHAMMOND on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES
5568 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 

1 132 Stat. 3376 (Oct. 5, 2018). 

2See 49 U.S.C. 44103(a) and 44104. 

3See 49 U.S.C. 44103(d); Article 29 of the 

Convention on International Civil Aviation (the 

‘‘Chicago Convention’’); and 14 CFR part 91, 

§ 91.203(a)(2). The FAA anticipates that the 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration will be permitted 

to be carried in electronic or digital format on the 

aircraft, subject to implementation of security and 

authentication features within CARES and 

international standards. 4https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/. 

include printing, supplies, mailing, and 

manpower needed for sorting and 

distribution. 

B. Developing the CARES System 

Section 546 of the FAA 

Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 

115–254) 1 requires that the FAA 

complete covered upgrades of the Civil 

Aviation Registry. The required 

upgrades include digitization of Registry 

functions and business operations ‘‘by 

leveraging digital technologies and a 

broader use of digitized data,’’ as well 

as expansion of electronic and remote 

access to the Registry by members of the 

public. 

Following this Congressional 

direction, the Registry began exploring 

alternatives to the legacy system and 

developed a modernization plan. As of 

2022, the Aircraft Registration Branch 

started implementing a new system of 

registration and recordation called the 

Civil Aviation Registry Electronic 

Services, or ‘‘CARES.’’ The project 

implements a web-based electronic 

system that allows the aviation 

community to securely submit 

applications, upload documentation, 

and provide the data necessary for the 

Registry to perform aircraft registration 

and airman certification services. For 

registrants using the system, CARES 

allows more comprehensive 

functionality, including a personal 

portal for users to view their 

submissions, pay fees online, and 

digitally sign their applications. Full 

implementation of the CARES system is 

expected by late 2025. Ultimately, 

CARES will become the central and 

legal repository of all aircraft 

registration and will fully replace the 

existing service. 

IV. Discussion of the Final Rule 

A. Electronic Issuance of Aircraft 

Registration and Dealer Certificates 

The federal statutes that authorize the 

FAA to issue aircraft registration and 

dealer’s registration certificates do not 

prescribe the manner in which the 

certificates are to be issued.2 As 

discussed, the FAA has traditionally 

issued aircraft registration and dealer’s 

registration certificates, including 

replacement certificates, in paper form 

by mail. This process results in costs to 

the FAA to print the certificates, for 

supplies and associated labor hours, and 

for postage costs required to deliver the 

certificates by mail, which takes 

approximately 7 to 10 business days to 

arrive. With the capability to utilize 

electronic delivery means, such as 

email, and the future implementation of 

the CARES system, the FAA has 

determined that the traditional agency 

procedure of printing and mailing 

aircraft registration and dealer’s 

registration certificates should be 

replaced with the electronic issuance of 

these certificates. 

A feature of CARES will allow the 

Registry to electronically issue and 

deliver a registration certificate, 

enabling almost instant delivery of the 

certificate to the registrant without the 

normal 7–10 business day wait time for 

regular mail delivery. Regardless of the 

timeline of CARES implementation, the 

Registry will still be able to send 

electronic certificates by email either 

through the legacy registration system or 

through alternate means. 

Electronic delivery of certificates will 

provide a streamlined and expedited 

delivery service while also reducing the 

cost and labor burden of mailing for the 

Registry. However, if a traditional paper 

certificate is still desired, an applicant 

may request a paper certificate be issued 

instead of an electronic certificate. 

This final rule effectuates this change 

in the FAA’s procedures for the 

issuance of aircraft registration and 

dealer’s registration certificates, from 

traditional paper form to electronic 

issuance as the primary delivery 

method. 

The FAA emphasizes, however, that 

the issuance of a registration certificate 

in electronic form does not, in any way, 

obviate or affect the need to comply 

with statutory, regulatory, or other 

requirements involving aircraft 

registration or dealer’s registration 

certificates. Notably, in general, a 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration must 

still be carried on the aircraft.3

B. Discussion of Affected Regulations 

For the reasons discussed in the 

preceding section, in this final rule the 

FAA is making several additions and 

revisions to the regulations in 14 CFR 

part 47. These amendments are 

designed to enable and facilitate the 

FAA’s electronic issuance of aircraft 

registration and dealer’s registration 

certificates. Applicants for these 

certificates will continue to be able to 

receive paper certificates upon request. 

The FAA is adding language to the 

end of § 47.1, which sets forth the 

applicability of part 47. The additional 

regulatory language expressly provides 

that part 47 applies to the issuance of a 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration or a 

Dealer’s Registration Certificate, 

whether by mail, electronic, or other 

means. 

The FAA is revising § 47.41(b) to 

address the return or destruction (in the 

case of § 47.41(b)(3)) of aircraft 

registration certificates that are issued in 

electronic form. Currently, § 47.41(b) 

requires an aircraft registration 

certificate be returned to the Registry 

within specified timeframes under the 

circumstances set forth in paragraphs 

(b)(1) through (4). For paper certificates, 

the holder of the certificate must notify 

the FAA of the reasons for a change in 

status by completing the reverse side of 

the certificate and returning it. 

The FAA has determined that it is 

unnecessary and impractical to require 

the ‘‘return’’ of an electronically issued 

aircraft registration certificate. The FAA 

does not expect certificate holders to 

have to permanently delete the 

originating email sent by the FAA, or 

other electronic or digital method used 

by the FAA, that transmitted the 

registration certificate. This rule amends 

§ 47.41(b) to maintain only the 

requirement that the holder of an 

electronically issued certificate notify 

the FAA by email or other acceptable 

means within the existing timeframes, 

in lieu of completing the reverse side of 

a paper certificate, when any of the 

changes specified in § 47.41(a) occurs, 

regarding the status of the registered 

aircraft or registered owner. The revised 

language of § 47.41(b) provides 

flexibility for holders of electronically 

issued certificates to notify the FAA of 

a change in status in the most 

practicable manner. 

This rule also clarifies that only the 

paper or printed copies of the aircraft 

registration certificate need to be 

destroyed when required under 

§ 47.41(b)(3). A requirement to 

‘‘destroy’’ an electronic certificate is 

impractical because the certificate, even 

if no longer effective, can be repeatedly 

printed, copied, and electronically 

duplicated. However, even though an 

electronic certificate may potentially 

exist in electronic form indefinitely, the 

use of an invalid or ineffective 

certificate remains unlawful. The 

registration status of civil aircraft is 

publicly available online and searchable 

by N-number for those persons who may 

need to ascertain the aircraft’s current 

registration status.4

The FAA is also amending § 47.43(b), 

which currently requires that the holder 


KHAMMOND on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 5569 

5Assumes rate for marketing mail flats (bulk). See 

USPS Price List, Notice 123, effective October 6, 

2024: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/

Notice123.htm?_gl=1*1e8cdrr*_gcl_

au*NDY1OTc0MzQwLjE3MzA4MTUxMjQ.*_

ga*MTc5MTgzMzg5Ni4xNzMwODE1MTI0*_ga_

3NXP3C8S9V*MTczMTA3NTA3NC4y

LjAuMTczMTA3NTA3NC4wLjAuMA..#_c119, 

accessed on November 6, 2024. 

of an invalid aircraft registration return 

the registration certificate to the Registry 

as soon as possible, to clarify that only 

a certificate issued in paper form must 

be returned. 

Similarly, the FAA is amending 

§ 47.49, which prescribes the 

procedures for requesting a replacement 

aircraft registration certificate, to enable 

the Registry to send replacement 

certificates electronically. 

Finally, the FAA is revising several 

regulations in part 47 to remove the 

references to FAA form numbers ‘‘AC 

Form 8050–3’’ and ‘‘AC Form 8050–6,’’ 

which are the form numbers designated 

by the FAA for the Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration and the Dealer’s Aircraft 

Registration Certificate, respectively. 

The affected sections of part 47 include 

the following: §§ 47.1; 47.5(c); 47.7(d); 

47.8(c); 47.11(e); 47.13(b) 47.15(a), (f), 

and (i); 47.16(a); 47.31(a); 47.39; 

47.40(b); 47.41(a), and (b); 47.43(b); 

47.45; 47.47(a); 47.49(a); 47.61(a); 47.63; 

47.65; 47.67; 47.69, and 47.71. These 

form numbers are associated with the 

issuance of traditional paper certificates. 

Removing the form numbers from the 

regulations will reduce the need to 

amend the regulations should new 

aircraft registration forms be introduced 

in the future. The FAA will benefit from 

the administrative flexibility provided 

to more efficiently implement the 

digitization requirements contained in 

section 546 of the FAA Reauthorization 

Act of 2018, among other purposes. In 

addition, some regulations in part 47 

include the form numbers when 

referring to the registration certificates, 

while other regulations do not. 

Removing the form numbers will 

maintain consistency in the regulatory 

language used throughout part 47. 

V. Regulatory Notices and Analyses 

A. Regulatory Evaluation 

Executive Orders 12866 (‘‘Regulatory 

Planning and Review’’) and 13563 

(‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory 

Review’’) require agencies to regulate in 

the ‘‘most cost-effective manner’’ to 

make a ‘‘reasoned determination that 

the benefits of the intended regulation 

justify its costs,’’ and to develop 

regulations that ‘‘impose the least 

burden on society.’’ The Office of 

Management and Budget has 

determined that this final rule is not a 

significant regulatory action as defined 

in section (3)(f)(1) of Executive Order 

12866, as amended by Executive Order 

14094, ‘‘Modernizing Regulatory 

Review.’’ 

The rule enables the FAA to distribute 

registration certificates electronically. It 

also amends language to ensure that 

such electronic certificates may be used 

in a similar fashion to printed 

certificates. Paper certificates may still 

be issued upon request. The FAA does 

not know or estimate how many 

registrants will opt for a paper 

certificate. 

Prior to this rulemaking, the Registry’s 

practice had been to mail out paper 

copies of the certificates. The legacy 

registration system is scheduled to be 

replaced by the newer CARES system 

separate from this rulemaking, and the 

CARES system has the capability to 

distribute such certificates 

electronically. However, without this 

rule, the FAA would continue 

distributing paper certificates. 

The FAA estimates that registrants 

using the new system will receive their 

certificates 7 to 10 business days sooner 

on average under this rule. 

The rule will have minimal to no 

costs, as the infrastructure is scheduled 

to be deployed with or without the 

rulemaking. Furthermore, the rule is 

expected to result in cost savings for the 

FAA by reducing the postage and 

printing costs associated with mailing a 

paper certificate. It may also result in 

reduced costs for the FAA by reducing 

the time employees spend handling 

paper documents and preparing them to 

mail. 

The FAA distributes an average of 

60,324 certificates each year. These are 

printed on card stock and sent out via 

bulk mail. The FAA estimates the unit 

cost of printing and mailing each 

certificate is $0.971.5 Therefore, if all 

future registrants use electronically 

issued certificates, the cost savings to 

the FAA may be about $58,575 per year 

(60,324 certificates multiplied by 

$0.971). 

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 

in 5 U.S.C. 603, requires an agency to 

prepare an initial regulatory flexibility 

analysis describing impacts on small 

entities whenever 5 U.S.C. 553 or any 

other law requires an agency to publish 

a general notice of proposed rulemaking 

for any proposed rule. Similarly, 5 

U.S.C. 604 requires an agency to prepare 

a final regulatory flexibility analysis 

when an agency issues a final rule 

under 5 U.S.C. 553 after that section or 

any other law requires publication of a 

general notice of proposed rulemaking. 

The FAA concludes that this is a rule of 

agency procedure or practice for which 

notice and comment are not required. 

As 5 U.S.C. 553 does not require notice 

and comment in this situation, 5 U.S.C. 

603 and 604 similarly do not require 

regulatory flexibility analyses. 

C. International Trade Impact 

Assessment 

The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 

(Pub. L. 96–39), as amended by the 

Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. 

L. 103–465), prohibits Federal agencies 

from establishing standards or engaging 

in related activities that create 

unnecessary obstacles to the foreign 

commerce of the United States. 

Pursuant to these Acts, the 

establishment of standards is not 

considered an unnecessary obstacle to 

the foreign commerce of the United 

States, so long as the standard has a 

legitimate domestic objective, such as 

the protection of safety, and does not 

operate in a manner that excludes 

imports that meet this objective. The 

statute also requires consideration of 

international standards and, where 

appropriate, that they be the basis for 

U.S. standards. The FAA has assessed 

the potential effect of this rule and 

determined that it ensures the safety of 

the American public and does not 

exclude imports that meet this objective. 

As a result, the FAA does not consider 

this rule as creating an unnecessary 

obstacle to foreign commerce. 

D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment 

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) governs 

the issuance of Federal regulations that 

require unfunded mandates. An 

unfunded mandate is a regulation that 

requires a State, local, or Tribal 

government or the private sector to 

incur direct costs without the Federal 

Government having first provided the 

funds to pay those costs. The FAA 

determined that this final rule will not 

result in the expenditure of $183 

million or more by State, local, or Tribal 

governments, in the aggregate, or the 

private sector, in any one year. 

E. Paperwork Reduction Act 

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

(44 U.S.C. 3507(d)) requires that the 

FAA consider the impact of paperwork 

and other information collection 

burdens imposed on the public. The 

information collection for aircraft 

registration and recordation is approved 

under OMB Control Number 2120–0042. 

The FAA has determined that there will 

be no new requirement for information 


KHAMMOND on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES
5570 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 

6 65 FR 67249 (Nov. 6, 2000). 

7FAA Order No. 1210.20 (Jan. 28, 2004), available 

at www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/1210.pdf. 

collection associated with this final 

rule. 

F. International Compatibility 

In keeping with U.S. obligations 

under the Convention on International 

Civil Aviation, it is FAA policy to 

conform to International Civil Aviation 

Organization (ICAO) Standards and 

Recommended Practices to the 

maximum extent practicable. The FAA 

has determined that these regulations, 

as amended, do not conflict with the 

ICAO Standards and Recommended 

Practices pertaining to the issuance of a 

certificate of registration. 

G. Environmental Analysis 

FAA Order 1050.1F identifies FAA 

actions that are categorically excluded 

from preparation of an environmental 

assessment or environmental impact 

statement under the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the 

absence of extraordinary circumstances. 

The FAA has determined this 

rulemaking action qualifies for the 

categorical exclusion identified in 

paragraph 5–6.6f for regulations and 

involves no extraordinary 

circumstances. 

VI. Executive Order Determinations 

A. Executive Order 13132, Federalism 

The FAA has analyzed this final rule 

under the principles and criteria of 

Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The 

FAA has determined that this action 

will not have a substantial direct effect 

on the States, or the relationship 

between the Federal Government and 

the States, or on the distribution of 

power and responsibilities among the 

various levels of government, and, 

therefore, will not have federalism 

implications. 

B. Executive Order 13175, Consultation 

and Coordination With Indian Tribal 

Governments 

Consistent with Executive Order 

13175, Consultation and Coordination 

with Indian Tribal Governments,6 and 

FAA Order 1210.20, American Indian 

and Alaska Native Tribal Consultation 

Policy and Procedures,7 the FAA 

ensures that Federally Recognized 

Tribes (Tribes) are given the opportunity 

to provide meaningful and timely input 

regarding proposed Federal actions that 

have the potential to have substantial 

direct effects on one or more Indian 

Tribes, on the relationship between the 

Federal Government and Indian Tribes, 

or on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities between the Federal 

Government and Indian Tribes; or to 

affect uniquely or significantly their 

respective Tribes. At this point, the FAA 

has not identified any unique or 

significant effects, environmental or 

otherwise, on Tribes resulting from this 

final rule. 

C. Executive Order 13211, Regulations 

That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use 

The FAA analyzed this final rule 

under Executive Order 13211, Actions 

Concerning Regulations that 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use. The FAA has 

determined that it is not a ‘‘significant 

energy action’’ under the Executive 

order and is not likely to have a 

significant adverse effect on the supply, 

distribution, or use of energy. 

D. Executive Order 13609, Promoting 

International Regulatory Cooperation 

Executive Order 13609, Promoting 

International Regulatory Cooperation, 

promotes international regulatory 

cooperation to meet shared challenges 

involving health, safety, labor, security, 

environmental, and other issues and to 

reduce, eliminate, or prevent 

unnecessary differences in regulatory 

requirements. The FAA has analyzed 

this action under the policies and 

agency responsibilities of Executive 

Order 13609 and has determined that 

this action will have no effect on 

international regulatory cooperation. 

VII. Additional Information 

A. Electronic Access and Filing 

A copy of this final rule and all 

background material may be viewed 

online at www.regulations.gov using the 

docket number listed above. Electronic 

retrieval help and guidelines are 

available on the website. It is available 

24 hours each day, 365 days each year. 

An electronic copy of this document 

may also be downloaded from the Office 

of the Federal Register’s website at 

www.federalregister.gov and the 

Government Publishing Office’s website 

at www.govinfo.gov. A copy may also be 

found on the FAA’s Regulations and 

Policies website at www.faa.gov/ 

regulations_policies. 

Copies may also be obtained by 

sending a request to the Federal 

Aviation Administration, Office of 

Rulemaking, ARM–1, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591, or 

by calling (202) 267–9677. Requesters 

must identify the docket or notice 

number of this rulemaking. 

All documents the FAA considered in 

developing this final rule, including 

economic analyses and technical 

reports, may be accessed in the 

electronic docket for this rulemaking. 

B. Small Business Regulatory 

Enforcement Fairness Act 

The Small Business Regulatory 

Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 

1996 requires the FAA to comply with 

small entity requests for information or 

advice about compliance with statutes 

and regulations within its jurisdiction. 

A small entity with questions regarding 

this document may contact its local 

FAA official or the person listed under 

the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

heading at the beginning of the 

preamble. To find out more about 

SBREFA on the internet, visit 

www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ 

rulemaking/sbre_act/. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 47 

Aircraft, Reporting and 

Recordkeeping Requirements. 

The Amendment 

For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, the Federal Aviation 

Administration amends chapter I of title 

14, Code of Federal Regulations, as 

follows: 

PART 47—Aircraft Registration 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 47 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 4 U.S.T. 1830; Public Law 115– 

254, Public Law 108–297, 118 Stat. 1095 (49 

U.S.C. 40101 note, 49 U.S.C. 44101 note); 49 

U.S.C. 106(f), 40113–40114, 44101–44108, 

44110–44113, 44701, 44703–44704, 44713, 

45302, 46104, 46301. 

■ 2. Revise § 47.1 to read as follows: 

§ 47.1 Applicability. 

This part prescribes the requirements 

for registering aircraft under 49 U.S.C. 

44101–44104. Subpart B applies to each 

applicant for, and holder of, a Certificate 

of Aircraft Registration. Subpart C 

applies to each applicant for, and holder 

of, a Dealer’s Aircraft Registration 

Certificate. This part applies to the 

issuance by the FAA of such certificates, 

whether by mail, electronic, or other 

means. 

■ 3. Amend § 47.5 by revising paragraph 

(c) to read as follows: 

§ 47.5 Applicants. 

* * * * * 

(c) 49 U.S.C. 44103(c) provides that 

registration is not evidence of 

ownership of aircraft in any proceeding 

in which ownership by a particular 

person is in issue. The FAA does not 

issue any certificate of ownership or 

endorse any information with respect to 

ownership on a Certificate of Aircraft 


KHAMMOND on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 5571 

Registration. The FAA issues a 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration to the 

person who appears to be the owner on 

the basis of the evidence of ownership 

submitted pursuant to § 47.11 with the 

Aircraft Registration Application, or 

recorded at the Registry. 

* * * * * 

■ 4. Amend § 47.7 by revising paragraph 

(d) introductory text to read as follows: 

§ 47.7 United States citizens and resident 

aliens. 

* * * * * 

(d) Partnerships. A partnership may 

apply for a Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration under 49 U.S.C. 44102 only 

if each partner, whether a general or 

limited partner, is an individual who is 

a citizen of the United States. Nothing 

in this section makes ineligible for 

registration an aircraft that is not owned 

as a partnership asset but is co-owned 

by— 

* * * * * 

■ 5. Amend § 47.8 by revising paragraph 

(c) to read as follows: 

§ 47.8 Voting trusts. 

* * * * * 

(c) If the voting trust terminates or is 

modified, and the result is less than 75 

percent control of the voting interest in 

the corporation by citizens of the United 

States, a loss of citizenship of the holder 

of the Certificate of Aircraft Registration 

occurs, and § 47.41(a)(3) of this part 

applies. 

* * * * * 

■ 6. Amend § 47.11 by revising 

paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows: 

§ 47.11 Evidence of ownership. 

* * * * * 

(e) The executor or administrator of 

the estate of the deceased former owner 

of an aircraft must submit a certified 

copy of the letters testamentary or 

letters of administration appointing him 

executor or administrator. The 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration is 

issued to the applicant as executor or 

administrator. 

(f) The buyer of an aircraft from the 

estate of a deceased former owner must 

submit both a bill of sale, signed for the 

estate by the executor or administrator, 

and a certified copy of the letters 

testamentary or letters of 

administration. When no executor or 

administrator has been or is to be 

appointed, the applicant must submit 

both a bill of sale, signed by the heirat-law of the deceased former owner, 

and an affidavit of the heir-at-law 

stating that no application for 

appointment of an executor or 

administrator has been made, that so far 

as he can determine none will be made, 

and that he is the person entitled to, or 

having the right to dispose of, the 

aircraft under applicable local law. 

* * * * * 

■ 7. Amend § 47.13 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 47.13 Signatures and instruments made 

by representatives. 

* * * * * 

(b) When one or more persons doing 

business under a trade name submits an 

Aircraft Registration Application, a 

document submitted as supporting 

evidence under this part, or a request for 

cancellation of a Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration, the application, document, 

or request must be signed by, or on 

behalf of, each person who shares title 

to the aircraft. 

* * * * * 

■ 8. Amend § 47.15 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text, 

paragraph (f), and paragraph (i)(2) to 

read as follows: 

§ 47.15 Registration number. 

(a) Number required. An applicant for 

aircraft registration must place a U.S. 

registration number (registration mark) 

on the Aircraft Registration Application, 

AC Form 8050–1, and on any evidence 

submitted with the application. There is 

no charge for the assignment of numbers 

provided in this paragraph. This 

paragraph does not apply to an aircraft 

manufacturer who applies for a group of 

U.S. registration numbers under 

paragraph (c) of this section; a person 

who applies for a special registration 

number under paragraphs (d) through (f) 

of this section; or a holder of a Dealer’s 

Aircraft Registration Certificate who 

applies for a temporary registration 

number under § 47.16. 

* * * * * 

(f) The Registry authorizes a special 

registration number change on the 

Assignment of Special Registration 

Numbers, AC Form 8050–64. The 

authorization expires one year from the 

date the Registry issues an Assignment 

of Special Registration Numbers unless 

the special registration number is 

permanently placed on the aircraft. 

Within five days after the special 

registration number is placed on the 

aircraft, the owner must complete and 

sign the Assignment of Special 

Registration Numbers, state the date the 

number was placed on the aircraft, and 

return the original form to the Registry. 

The duplicate of the Assignment of 

Special Registration Numbers and the 

present Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration must be carried in the 

aircraft as temporary authority to 

operate it. This temporary authority is 

valid until the date the owner receives 

the revised Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration showing the new 

registration number, but in no case is it 

valid for more than 120 days from the 

date the number is placed on the 

aircraft. 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(2) Following the expiration date 

shown on the Dealer’s Aircraft 

Registration Certificate, for any aircraft 

registered under Subpart C of this part, 

when the certificate has not been 

renewed, and the owner has not applied 

for registration in accordance with 

§ 47.31; or 

* * * * * 

■ 9. Amend § 47.16 by revising 

paragraph (a) to read as follows: 

§ 47.16 Temporary registration numbers. 

(a) Temporary registration numbers 

are issued by the FAA to manufacturers, 

distributors, and dealers who are 

holders of Dealer’s Aircraft Registration 

Certificates for temporary display on 

aircraft during flight allowed under 

Subpart C of this part. 

* * * * * 

■ 10. Amend § 47.31 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text to read 

as follows: 

§ 47.31 Application. 

(a) Each applicant for a Certificate of 

Aircraft Registration must submit the 

following to the Registry— 

* * * * * 

■ 11. Revise § 47.39 to read as follows: 

§ 47.39 Effective date of registration. 

An aircraft is registered on the date 

the Registry determines that the 

submissions meet the requirements of 

this part. The effective date of 

registration is shown as the date of issue 

on the Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration. 

■ 12. Amend § 47.40 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 47.40 Registration expiration and 

renewal. 

* * * * * 

(b) Renewal. Each holder of a 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration 

containing an expiration date may apply 

for renewal of a Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration by submitting an Aircraft 

Registration Renewal Application, AC 

Form 8050–1B, and the fee required by 

§ 47.17 during the six months preceding 

the expiration date for the Certificate of 

Aircraft Registration. 

* * * * * 


KHAMMOND on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES
5572 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / Rules and Regulations 

■ 13. Amend § 47.41 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text, 

paragraph (b) introductory text, and 

paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows: 

§ 47.41 Duration and return of certificate. 

(a) Each Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration issued by the FAA under 

this subpart is effective, unless 

registration has ended by reason of 

having been revoked, canceled, expired, 

or the ownership is transferred, until the 

date upon which one of the following 

events occurs: 

* * * * * 

(b) The FAA must be given notice of, 

and the reason(s) for, any change in 

status of the registered aircraft or 

registered owner specified under 

paragraph (a) of this section. In the case 

of an electronically issued Certificate of 

Aircraft Registration, notice must be 

provided by email or other means 

acceptable to the Administrator, and, in 

the case of a certificate issued in paper 

form, the certificate, with the reverse 

side completed, must be returned to the 

Registry— 

* * * * * 

(3) Within 21 days of the termination 

of the registration, by the holder of the 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration in all 

other cases mentioned in paragraph (a) 

of this section, except in the case of 

expired certificates, the holder must 

destroy the expired certificate, if in 

paper or printed form. 

* * * * * 

■ 14. Amend § 47.43 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 47.43 Invalid registration. 

* * * * * 

(b) If the registration of an aircraft is 

invalid under paragraph (a) of this 

section, the holder of the invalid 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration, if 

issued in paper form, must return it as 

soon as possible to the Registry. 

■ 15. Revise § 47.45 to read as follows: 

§ 47.45 Change of address. 

Within 30 days after any change in a 

registered owner’s mailing address, the 

registered owner must notify the 

Registry in writing of the change of 

address. If a post office box or mailing 

drop is used for mailing purposes, the 

registered owner also must provide that 

owner’s physical address or location. 

Upon acceptance, the Registry will 

issue, without charge, a revised 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration 

reflecting the new mailing address. 

When a post office box or mailing drop 

is used for mailing purposes, and the 

registered owner’s physical address or 

location changes, the registered owner 

must notify the Registry in writing of 

the new address or location within 30 

days. 

■ 16. Amend § 47.47 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text to read 

as follows: 

§ 47.47 Cancellation of Certificate for 

export purpose. 

(a) The holder of a Certificate of 

Aircraft Registration or the holder of an 

irrevocable deregistration and export 

request authorization recognized under 

the Cape Town Treaty and filed with the 

FAA who wishes to cancel the 

Certificate of Aircraft Registration for 

the purpose of export must submit to 

the Registry— 

* * * * * 

■ 17. Revise § 47.49 to read as follows: 

§ 47.49 Replacement of Certificate. 

(a) If the original Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration is lost, stolen, or mutilated, 

the registered owner may submit to the 

Registry a written request that states the 

reason a replacement certificate is 

needed and the fee required by § 47.17. 

The Registry will send a replacement 

certificate to the registered owner by 

email or other electronic or digital 

means, or, if such means are 

unavailable, to the registered owner’s 

mailing address or to another mailing 

address if requested in writing by the 

registered owner. 

(b) The registered owner may request 

a temporary Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration pending receipt of a 

replacement certificate. The Registry 

issues a temporary Certificate of Aircraft 

Registration that must be carried in the 

aircraft until receipt of the replacement 

certificate. 

■ 18. Amend § 47.61 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text to read 

as follows: 

§ 47.61 Dealer’s Aircraft Registration 

Certificates. 

(a) The FAA issues a Dealer’s Aircraft 

Registration Certificate to U.S. 

manufacturers and dealers to— 

* * * * * 

■ 19. Amend § 47.63 by revising 

paragraph (a) introductory text to read 

as follows: 

§ 47.63 Application. 

(a) A manufacturer or dealer that 

wishes to obtain a Dealer’s Aircraft 

Registration Certificate must submit— 

* * * * * 

■ 20. Revise § 47.65 to read as follows: 

§ 47.65 Eligibility. 

To be eligible for a Dealer’s Aircraft 

Registration Certificate, the applicant 

must have an established place of 

business in the United States, must be 

substantially engaged in manufacturing 

or selling aircraft, and must be a citizen 

of the United States, as defined by 49 

U.S.C. 40102 (a)(15). 

■ 21. Revise § 47.67 to read as follows: 

§ 47.67 Evidence of ownership. 

Before using a Dealer’s Aircraft 

Registration Certificate for operating the 

aircraft, the holder of the certificate 

(other than a manufacturer) must send 

to the Registry evidence of ownership 

under § 47.11. An Aircraft Bill of Sale, 

AC Form 8050–2, or its equivalent, may 

be used as evidence of ownership. There 

is no recording fee. 

■ 22. Amend § 47.69 by revising the 

introductory text to read as follows: 

§ 47.69 Limitations. 

A Dealer’s Aircraft Registration 

Certificate is valid only in connection 

with use of aircraft— 

* * * * * 

■ 23. Amend § 47.71 by revising 

paragraph (a) to read as follows: 

§ 47.71 Duration of Certificate; change of 

status. 

(a) A Dealer’s Aircraft Registration 

Certificate expires 1 year after the date 

it is issued. Each additional certificate 

expires on the date the original 

certificate expires. 

* * * * * 

Issued under authority provided by 49 

U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), and 44101–44106 in 

Washington, DC 

Michael Gordon Whitaker, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2025–00764 Filed 1–16–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Parts 47 and 49 

[Docket No.: FAA–2024–2764; Amdt. Nos. 

47–35 AND 49–12] 

RIN 2120–AM07 

Aircraft Registration and Recordation 

Procedural Updates: Original 

Documents and Stamping 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is updating certain 

procedural regulations relating to civil 

aircraft registration and recordation to 

provide administrative relief from the 

requirements for submitting original 


KHAMMOND on DSK9W7S144PROD with RULES