Sweeping changes to Australia’s aircraft registration rules went into effect Monday. The new rules require the registration details of Australia’s 12,300 aircraft to be updated over the next 12 months. Aircraft owners must complete an aircraft registration transition form setting out details of the aircraft, the owners and registered operators.

Registration holders have one year to complete the transition process, although CASA is urging people not to leave the move until the last minute. Already more than 1000 aircraft registration holders have submitted the form to CASA to move their aircraft across to the new rules. CASA has set up a special team to assist people who are moving their aircraft across to the new rules.

Aircraft owners are reminded to carefully follow the requirements for the change-over to avoid delays in processing by CASA. Under the new registration system the aircraft’s owner becomes the registration holder and is responsible for the certificate of registration. The registered operator is the person or organisation responsible for the aircraft’s maintenance and continuing airworthiness control.

Foreign entities can be owners of Australian aircraft as long as they nominate an eligible Australian operator to take responsibility for maintenance and airworthiness control. This is an improved system for foreign aircraft owners.

FMI: http://casa.gov.au/casadata/register/index.asp