Aircraft registration — choosing the register and jurisdiction

A register is not a line in the paperwork but a set of rules under which the aircraft is maintained, flown and one day sold. Changing it mid-life is expensive, which is why the decision is taken before the deal.

What changed

Before 2022 a significant part of the private fleet connected with Russia was registered in foreign registers — that gave familiar maintenance rules and documents recognised worldwide.

After 2022 this arrangement stopped working for many owners: foreign authorities withdrew certificates, and aircraft were moved to the Russian register. Dual registration is not permitted, so the transfer calls for a careful sequence of steps on both sides.

How the choice of register affects the life of the aircraft

• the rules and intervals of maintenance, and recognition of the work done and of the maintenance stations
• the requirements on the crew, their licences and ratings
• where you can fly and whether receiving states recognise the documents
• insurance and what it costs
• the range of potential buyers at a future sale

How a change of register works

• checking the documents and the aircraft's readiness for the requirements of the new register
• bringing maintenance and records into line — this is the main body of the work
• deregistration in the previous state of registry
• entry in the new register and issue of the certificate of airworthiness
• reissuing the insurance, the call signs and the related documents

The order of steps matters: an aircraft cannot be registered in two states at once, so the “window” between deregistration and re-registration is planned in advance — during that period flying is not possible.

What to check before buying a foreign-registered aircraft

• which register the aircraft is on at present and whether there are any restrictions
• whether the maintenance already carried out is recognised by the target register
• what modifications will be required and what they cost
• whether there are encumbrances and whether any third-party rights have been asserted

Frequently asked questions

Can an aircraft be registered in two registers at the same time?

No. Registration in two states simultaneously is not permitted; a transfer requires deregistration from one register and entry in the other, in a set sequence.

Does the register affect the value of an aircraft?

Yes. A difficult or restrictive jurisdiction narrows the range of buyers and shows up in the price at sale — sometimes more than the annual flight hours do.

How long does re-registration take?

From several weeks to several months, depending on the jurisdictions, the completeness of the documents and the state of the logbooks.