Reasons to register your aircraft

[Dave Siciliano]

Having just purchased another plane, I have been a little worried about leaving the country with a pink slip while waiting for the permanent registration. Called the escrow company and there is a way to expedite this and get it in three or four days. All I had to do is fax in a form and provide the date I was planning on leaving the country.

ITMT, a thread started on the Bonanza board discussing planes that have been seized by DEA and HS after they were stopped on suspicion of carrying drugs (even if they weren't) and the owner lost them if not properly registered. In one case where the owner was in the process of registration and flying with the pink slip.

Anyone heard of this? I'm also hearing of transponders being placed on planes without the owner's knowledge. Big Brother sure seems to be watching us!!

Best,

Dave
Baron 322KS

 

[Ed Guthrie]

Having just purchased another plane, I have been a little worried about leaving the country with a pink slip while waiting for the permanent registration. Called the escrow company and there is a way to expedite this and get it in three or four days. All I had to do is fax in a form and provide the date I was planning on leaving the country.

ITMT, a thread started on the Bonanza board discussing planes that have been seized by DEA and HS after they were stopped on suspicion of carrying drugs (even if they weren't) and the owner lost them if not properly registered. In one case where the owner was in the process of registration and flying with the pink slip.

Anyone heard of this? I'm also hearing of transponders being placed on planes without the owner's knowledge. Big Brother sure seems to be watching us!!

Best,

Dave
Baron 322KS

Dave, are you planning to take the airplane out of the country? Is that the question? If that is the case, then you should read the fine print at the bottom of the pink registration slip where you will find "Not Valid for International Flight" (or equivalent). If you are taking the plane out of the country by all means get a permanent aircraft registration before you depart.

 

[Dave Siciliano]

Yes Ed, I was afraid the permanent registration wouldn't arrive before I left for Mexico in July. Was told it could take 60 days to get the new permanent registration. That would have been bad!!

Best,

Dave

 

[waldo]

It really depends on how backed up the FAA is I guess. My first plane took about 75 days but the second one took only 35 days. I guess what I am trying to say is, "There is HOPE!" And a little Good Luck never hurt either!

 

[wsuffa]

Dave,

I'd get it. I think there is some issue with the way the international regulations work, whereby a temporary won't suffice. Same was true for certain radio licenses.

My guess is that it will be cheaper to pay the expedite fee than it will be to pay the bribe to the Mexican authorities over the paperwork. Seriously, though, you're likely to have trouble coming back into the US... especially from Mexico.

 

[Henning]

Having just purchased another plane, I have been a little worried about leaving the country with a pink slip while waiting for the permanent registration. Called the escrow company and there is a way to expedite this and get it in three or four days. All I had to do is fax in a form and provide the date I was planning on leaving the country.

ITMT, a thread started on the Bonanza board discussing planes that have been seized by DEA and HS after they were stopped on suspicion of carrying drugs (even if they weren't) and the owner lost them if not properly registered. In one case where the owner was in the process of registration and flying with the pink slip.

Anyone heard of this? I'm also hearing of transponders being placed on planes without the owner's knowledge. Big Brother sure seems to be watching us!!

Best,

Dave
Baron 322KS

Dude, If you only knew...but I can't tell you. All I will say is "if it were my plane" I would make sure to have permanent registration and every bit of paperwork up to date aboard, or I wouldn't take he plane out of the country. It's very frightening what the Patriot Act has brought about.

 

[Michael]

Dave, are you planning to take the airplane out of the country? Is that the question? If that is the case, then you should read the fine print at the bottom of the pink registration slip where you will find "Not Valid for International Flight" (or equivalent). If you are taking the plane out of the country by all means get a permanent aircraft registration before you depart.

what fine print? mine was stamped with a very large watermark that says: DO NOT TAKE AIRCRAFT OUT OF THE CONTINENTAL US.

 

[T Bone]

Don't forget the FCC radio station license either. Required (in addition to your restricted radio telephone operators license).

 

[Dave Siciliano]

I'm getting the radio operator's license and the sticker from customs, was just concerned about getting the permanent registration in time.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Carol]

I'm getting the radio operator's license and the sticker from customs, was just concerned about getting the permanent registration in time.

Thanks,

Dave

I did it online and got the papers in the mail in about a week.

 

[T Bone]

I'm getting the radio operator's license and the sticker from customs, was just concerned about getting the permanent registration in time.

Thanks,

Dave

I have a question on "the sticker". Is that the radio station license? I'd been told by an FBO I rent from their planes have "the sticker". When I inquired as to whether that was the required radio station lic. (I have the operators permit) the instructor I asked didn't know. Are they one and the same? Thanks.

{Edit: I Just re read your post. If the sticker comes from Customs, I don't think that is it. There is an FCC radio station license required as well as the restricted radio operators license. While I won't worry too much about it venturing to Canada, I wouldn't think of hitting Mexico without every possible required document. I'd look into that one if I were you}.

 

[Don Jones]

Dave, don't forget the US Customs sticker, and for the aircraft entry into Mexico they want copies of the registration and to look at the original. I doubt a temp would work for them(mexico) either. Good Luck and have fun.
Don

 

[poadeleted20]

I have a question on "the sticker".

It's a little decal about 2x2 inches with the last digit of the current year (color coded to prevent 1995 stickers from being used this year) that is supposed to go on the outside of the plane by the passenger door. I believe the fee is $25. You can buy them on the spot from US Customs (or whatever their name is now) when returning to the country (not needed for departing) but you want to call several days ahead to make sure they have a sticker handy when you arrive. AOPA's international procedures web pages have all the details.

 

[Don Jones]

It's a little decal about 2x2 inches with the last digit of the current year (color coded to prevent 1995 stickers from being used this year) that is supposed to go on the outside of the plane by the passenger door. I believe the fee is $25. You can buy them on the spot from US Customs (or whatever their name is now) when returning to the country (not needed for departing) but you want to call several days ahead to make sure they have a sticker handy when you arrive. AOPA's international procedures web pages have all the details.

I got my sticker online before I left. It only took a couple of days to arrive.
Makes the stop at customs faster. Here is the link if anyone is interested.
Don

https://tradelinks4.mellon.com/cbp/Dispatcher

 

[Dave Siciliano]

The AOPA web site discusses what's needed and has links to order both the customs sticker and the radio operator's permit for the plane. I got these same things last year before going to the Bahama. Customs doesn't require a copy of the registration to get the sticker; although, they do ask for ownership information.

I'll just be much more comfortable when the permanent registration certificate arrives.

Best,

Dave
Baron 322KS

 

[4CornerFlyer]

It is possible to get an expedited aircraft registration certificate from the FAA if you have an upcoming international trip. I did it about a year ago. If they have received all the necessary documentation and there are no problems in the paper trail, it is possible to speak to someone in the Aircraft Certification Branch, and they will send you a temporary registration via fax. Note that this is not a pink slip I am talking about, but a registration valid for international flight. The temporary certificate will have an expiration date of about a month or so.

I don't remember the specific number to call in OK City, but I believe I got it from the folks at AOPA, so you might start there. It will take hours to get someone on the phone, but when you finally do they are quite helpful. It came down to the wire for me...the fax arrived the morning I was due to depart. Took a couple calls to straighten what was a convoluted trade-in deal. There was no problem with US Customs on the way back.

For those concerned with the radio licenses, you can print a temporary license from home provided you promise to send in the real one. I'd still like to know if there's anyone on the board, anywhere, who's been asked to show a radio license or operator's certificate. I doubt Customs even knows what they are.

Jon

 

[T Bone]

The AOPA web site discusses what's needed and has links to order both the customs sticker and the radio operator's permit for the plane. I got these same things last year before going to the Bahama. Customs doesn't require a copy of the registration to get the sticker; although, they do ask for ownership information.

I'll just be much more comfortable when the permanent registration certificate arrives.

Best,

Dave
Baron 322KS

There is indeed a third required item for international travel, according to sources at AOPA and the FCC. That is the radio station license. I spoke with the FCC today, and found out the fee is $105 for 10 years. That covers one tail number. My problem is that I rent a variety of aircraft, and if the owner has not gotten them licensed, I'm not about to do that. I live about 20nm from the Canadian border, so it is entirely possible that I may want to travel there. I present this info for those interested in making sure i's are dotted and t's are crossed. I certainly would not wish to deal with some semi corrupt bandito with government powers without at least having all required documentation. That said,

For those concerned with the radio licenses, you can print a temporary license from home provided you promise to send in the real one. I'd still like to know if there's anyone on the board, anywhere, who's been asked to show a radio license or operator's certificate. I doubt Customs even knows what they are.

I've heard of no one running into trouble with this. I asked at KONZ (virtually on the US Canada border) and was told all their planes have "the sticker". AFAIK, they do not have the radio station lic. AFAIK, though required, it may never be an issue. I still would rather have one myself if going over the border!

As a renter, the FCC provided me the following option. I can get a "Fleet" license. That would cover "at least two" aircraft, though I would not have to supply any tail numbers (according to the FCC person I spoke to, this would allow me to fly multiple aircraft, as long as it was one at a time, into a foreign country. Of course, there's a cost.... I'd have to cover the cost of 2 tail numbers, or $210 for 10 years). All for a piece of paper that (as Jon pointed out) Customs may not even be aware is required...... fun, fun fun.

Dave, have a good trip to Mexico. Keep the bandito's at bay.

 

[Dave Siciliano]

Wow! Got a faxed registration form today!! Couple of days. Unbelievable. Said the hard copy will be here in the next day or two.

Dave

 

[poadeleted20]

Dealing with radio license issues and the $105 fee? Didn't we just discuss this recently, with regard to the acceptability of the pink copy as a temporary license and the lack of follow-up if nobody records the fact that you crossed the border on a pink copy and when you get home you discover you "forgot" to mail the original application with the check?