Registration Process
Registration Application Process for Private Operators — OTAR Part 125
Welcome
Welcome to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) Aircraft Registration Site. Your interest in the Cayman Island Aircraft Registry is most appreciated and our staff will endeavour to ensure a simple and efficient registration process.
Applicability
Aircraft operated in the Private Category must not be used for commercial operations which are defined as those being for "hire or reward". Should you be interested in conducting commercial operations please contact the CAACI for information concerning application for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) under OTAR Part 121 or Part 135
Financial and Legal Due Diligence
In order to have an aircraft added to the Registry under OTAR Part 125 – Private Operators, there are various steps that must be followed which begin with the application for registration. Upon receiving a application for registration, CAACI will commence a financial and legal "due diligence" assessment to determine if the aircraft/owner is acceptable for the Registry. In order to assist us with this process, the "Due Diligence Checklist" should be completed and the associated documentation submitted to us as soon as possible in order to expedite the due diligence part of the registration process. Prior to your application proceeding beyond the due diligence phase you will be required to submit a deposit of 50% the cost of the Certificate of Airworthiness.
Notice of Acceptance to Registry and Selection of Registration Marks
Upon submission of the registration application, the desired registration mark can be requested and reserved. If a specific registration mark is not desired, the next mark in sequence will be assigned. Once the due diligence process is completed successfully you will be advised by email of the formal acceptance on to the Register by the Director-General of Civil Aviation.
Airworthiness Survey of Aircraft
At this point in the process you will be contacted by the CAACI to schedule an airworthiness survey. This survey will be completed by one of our experienced surveyors and normally takes two days to complete on-site with the aircraft. Please see Certification and Continuing Airworthiness for more information on maintenance requirements.
Documentation Requirements
The next step in the process requires that various technical forms be completed and submitted to the CAACI. A list of the forms can be found at the link called Forms for New Applications and Renewals. Also please see the link entitled Guidance Material for information that will help explain how to complete the application process.
Note: Scanned or faxed copies of most application forms are acceptable for processing; however, originals must also be mailed in so they can be placed on the CAACI files. The exception to this is Personnel Licencing which requires that certified hard copies of documents be submitted before validations can be issued.
Deregistration From Existing State of Registry (If Applicable)
Assuming that the airworthiness survey is satisfactory the surveyor will make a recommendation for the issuance of the Certificate of Airworthiness. Once the CAACI receives an Export Certificate of Airworthiness or equivalent document from the existing state of registry, the de-registration process can be initiated.
Deregistration of the aircraft from the state which the aircraft is being transferred from should not be commenced until the Due Diligence process is completed by the CAACI and notification has been received that the aircraft has been accepted onto the Cayman registry. In most cases the aircraft should also not be deregistered until the aircraft survey by the CAACI has been completed successfully. It is important to note that an aircraft cannot be flown once it has been deregistered from the exporting state until it is registered in the Cayman Islands and issued with a Certificate of Airworthiness and all associated documents. In certain circumstances a Special Flight Authority can be issued for ferry or test flight purposes after the Certificate of Registration is issued but prior to issue of the Certificate of Airworthiness.
Issue of Cayman Certificate of Registration
Upon receiving notification from the existing State of Registry that the aircraft has been removed from their register, a Cayman Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness and all associated certification documents can be issued.
Last Updated: 2009-12-09