Registration Hints

• 51% rule guideline
• AC clarifying 51% rule
• AC clarifying repairman certificate
• Some insurances require your kit project to be registered as an airplane with the FAA, even if you just want to have a non-moving insurance. (Falcon does, Avemco does not need a registration)
• You need to enter details of the engine including the serial number.
• Consider buying the EAA registration kit which includes cockpit / experimental stickers, FAA forms and instructions (EAA Amateur-Built Certification Kit).
• You will need a formal "kit bill of sale" from Vans (different from the invoices for your kits). To obtain the bill of sale, email "registrations" at Vans. They will first send you a waiver to sign and a document request form to fill out. The process end-to-end will take 2 weeks since it goes via USPS. What you will receive is an original and a copy of the 8050-2 form ("Aircraft Bill of Sale" is modified to read "Kit Bill of Sale"). When you upload form 8050-2, don't use the bill of sale option, use the kit bill of sale option. The N-number is left blank for you to fill in. Don't forget to fill it in before uploading the bill of sale. The form has no field for a price. The online portal has a field for date and price for each upload.
• You will need a filled out and notarized form 8050-88 (comes with the EAA kit). Plan for a visit to your nearest print-shop / notary.
• Online Registration
  • You will have to create a CARES login with verified cell phone, email and Google "authenticator" app (also works on iPhone) (https://myaccessxtl.faa.gov/). You need to keep using this account every 6 months or so, otherwise, the account will expire (you will get an email).
  • The online registration page is at Online Aircraft Registration Portal.
• There are companies that walk your registration over to the FAA to expedite the registration for some $135, check AIC Title. As of March 2023 however, new aircraft registrations only take 2 weeks when mailed in anyway.