The Federal Aviation Administration’s final rule on Aircraft Re-Registration and Renewal of Aircraft Registration, which was published on July 20, 2010, requires re-registration of aircraft every three years.

To allow an orderly process for re-registration, the final rule established a three-year phase-in schedule for re-registration of all aircraft, based on the month in which the aircraft’s original certificate was issued. The final rule also established a three-month “timely filing window,” during which applications must be submitted to ensure that the owner receives a new certificate before the old one expires.

During this “timely filing window,” applications may be filed electronically (unless there are changes in ownership, address, or citizenship to report). After the “window” closes, applications and fees must be mailed to the Aircraft Registration Branch (Registry).

If your aircraft’s registration was issued in March (of any year), it is time for you to re-register—NOW! Your timely filing window will close on January 31. Your aircraft registration will expire at the end of March, 2011.

The “timely filing window” for aircraft registered in April (of any year) runs from February 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011. Aircraft certificates issued in April will expire on June 30, 2011.

To see the schedule table, click here.