Definition
An official FAA document that establishes a specific aircraft as registered to a particular owner in the United States. It identifies the aircraft by make, model, serial number, and N-number, and names the registered owner. Issued by the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch, it must be carried aboard the aircraft during operation and must be renewed periodically to remain valid.
Plain English
It is the legal proof that an aircraft is registered with the FAA and identifies who owns it. The original must be on board whenever the aircraft is flown.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter this certificate during aircraft document checks before flight and when verifying that required aircraft paperwork is onboard.
Derivation
Certificate comes from words meaning “to make certain” or “to certify.” Registration comes from register, meaning an official list or record. Together, the phrase means an official paper showing that the aircraft has been entered in the FAA’s records.
Why Pilots Care
It is legally required to be carried in the aircraft during flight and demonstrates compliance with federal registration requirements.
Analogy
Similar in purpose to a vehicle registration document for a car: it links the aircraft to its legal owner and must be current.
Grounding Statement
This certificate tells you, “This exact aircraft is officially registered with the FAA.”
Intuition Check
Do not assume this certificate means the aircraft is safe to fly. It proves registration, not airworthiness.
Example Sentence 1
Before the checkride, the examiner asked to see the Certificate of Aircraft Registration to confirm it was current and matched the aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
The new owner applied for the Certificate of Aircraft Registration after purchasing the airplane.