Aircraft Registration & Aviation Trust Services

Statutory Trust Solutions for U.S. Aircraft Registration

and Operational Control

Experienced Team

Specialized Knowledge in U.S. Aircraft Registration

Customized Statutory Trust Solutions

Tailored Statutory Trust Structures to Meet Unique Ownership Needs

Insightful Regulatory Guidance

Expert Advice for Compliance and Operational Success

Statutory Trusts For Business Aviation

PEAK 38 Solutions offers specialized FAA owner trust services for aircraft owners, particularly for individuals and businesses that may not meet the FAA’s strict citizenship criteria for registration.

Privacy Enhancement Statutory Trusts

Many owners and passengers face security concerns, need to maintain a competitive edge over similar businesses, wish to avoid unwelcome public or media attention, or simply want to steer clear of commercial solicitation.

The Definition of an Aircraft Trust

An aircraft trust is an arrangement in which a trustee holds ownership of an aircraft on behalf of an entity or individual, known as the trustor or trust beneficiary. The trustee acts on behalf of the beneficiary, with the aircraft being titled and registered in the trustee’s name. This setup is often referred to as an owner trust, as all benefits and assets of the trust ultimately belong to the true owner. It’s important to note that this structure is FAA-approved, has been in use for over three decades, and is widely recognized within the business aviation industry.

The United States is the most sought-after jurisdiction for aircraft registration, even for aircraft primarily based outside the country. This preference is partly due to the protection it offers for the owner’s significant investment in the aircraft. The FAA’s standards for operations and maintenance are respected globally, and the U.S. remains the largest market for used aircraft sales, with U.S. buyers favoring aircraft that are registered domestically. A substantial number of transactions occur while the aircraft are in the U.S., and foreign buyers often maintain U.S. registration, even if the aircraft will eventually be registered in another jurisdiction after leaving the U.S. Additionally, non-U.S. aircraft owners can sometimes take advantage of the numerous bilateral agreements between the U.S. and foreign aircraft registration authorities by temporarily registering in the U.S. to ease the transition from one foreign jurisdiction to another.

To register an aircraft in the United States, the owner must be a U.S. citizen. According to FAA regulations, individuals who are not U.S. citizens and businesses based outside the U.S. are not eligible to own or register aircraft in the country. The criteria for determining U.S. citizenship can be complex and may even disqualify certain U.S.-based corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. However, U.S. law provides a solution: non-qualifying individuals and entities can establish trusts with U.S. citizen trustees. These trustees can hold legal title to the aircraft and register it on behalf of the non-U.S. owner.

Additionally, U.S. citizens may also utilize the FAA’s owner trust structure for various benefits, such as maintaining anonymity, facilitating aircraft sales, and optimizing loan or lease agreements.