Aircraft Bill of Sale, FAA Registration, and Hangars

[Rynoth]

This is an FYI for those builders reaching the stage in their project where you start considering a move from an off-airport location and into hangar space.

It's very likely that a hangar lease will REQUIRE you to have an N-number (especially at those airports that receive FAA funding.) Therefore you will need to complete the registration process BEFORE you are able to get a hangar and move your project. To complete the registration application, you will first need to get a signed bill of sale from Sonex, which they furnish on request and snail-mail to you. You should get this ball rolling SEVERAL MONTHS before you might actually be ready to sign a hangar lease and/or jump on an available hangar opportunity. You also will need a hard copy of the registration application certificate (it's carbon copied and not downloadable), which I believe is provided in the EAA's certification kit or available at any FSDO.

Registration is separate from airworthiness, i.e. there is no inspection required, just paperwork. However the registration must be completely done prior to applying for airworthiness.

I just learned all of this information as I was getting ready to apply for open hangar space near my home, only to discovery I couldn't do anything without a tail number. Now I await the process and cross my fingers that the space is still available when I finally receive my registration.

Here's a link to the FAA webpage regarding Amateur-built registration: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificat ... _aircraft/
EAA certification kit: https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-shop/homebui ... cation-kit

[Fastcapy]

-----

[Stogie6]

And of course, once you register the aircraft with the FAA the tax man cometh. I know here in Tennessee, there is a dedicated individual with the State Internal Revenue office that scowers the aircraft registry looking for newly assigned N-Numbers and will ask you pay a sales tax...I have been given advice as to stating on the Bill of Sale what ever dollar amount you wish to claim plus Other Valuable Consideration (OVC). Example - $5.00 and OVC. This may start a whole other conversation...best of luck to all my garage band/building brethren.

[techno-wizard]

FYI...you can reserve an N-number with the FAA for $10/year without having to go through the rest of the registration process. Maybe that will be enough to satisfy the hangar folks.

Keith
Sonex #1598