Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)

Removal and Replacement of Identification Plates and Alteration of Identification Information on Aeronautical Products Other Than Aircraft

• 201.12 (1) No person shall remove or replace an identification plate attached to an aeronautical product that is not an aircraft or alter the identification information that is required by section 201.06, 201.07, 201.09, 201.10 or 201.11 to be on an aeronautical product that is not an aircraft unless a written application is submitted to the Minister, including evidence that establishes the identity of the aeronautical product, and a written authorization is issued by the Minister pursuant to subsection (4).

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who

  • (a) removes an identification plate from an aeronautical product that is not an aircraft for the purpose of performing work on the aeronautical product; or

  • (b) removes or replaces an identification plate or alters the identification information on an aeronautical product that is not an aircraft if the removal, replacement or alteration is made necessary by a modification or repair to the aeronautical product that is performed in accordance with section 571.06.

• (3) Any person who removes or replaces an identification plate or alters any identification information under subsection (2) shall, before the aeronautical product is used in flight, replace the identification plate or alter the identification information in accordance with section 201.06, 201.07, 201.09, 201.10 or 201.11, as applicable.

• (4) On receipt of an application referred to in subsection (1) that includes evidence that establishes the identity of the aeronautical product, the Minister shall issue a written authorization to the applicant that permits the applicant to remove or replace an identification plate or alter the identification information required to be on the aeronautical product pursuant to section 201.06, 201.07, 201.09, 201.10 or 201.11.

• (5) Where an authorization is issued by the Minister pursuant to subsection (4), the applicant shall, before the aeronautical product is used in flight, remove or replace the identification plate or alter the identification information required to be on the aeronautical product pursuant to section 201.06, 201.07, 201.09, 201.10 or 201.11.

Subpart 2 — Aircraft Marking and Registration

Division I — Aircraft Marks

Requirements for Marks on Aircraft

• 202.01 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate an aircraft in Canada unless its marks are visible and are displayed

  • (a) in the case of a Canadian aircraft, in accordance with the requirements of the Aircraft Marking and Registration Standards; and

  • (b) in the case of an aircraft registered in a foreign state, in accordance with the laws of that foreign state.

• (2) On receipt of an application in writing, the Minister shall issue a written authorization permitting the operation in Canada of an aircraft that does not display its marks if the aircraft is to be operated for the purpose of an exhibition, air show, motion picture production or television production.

• (3) The Minister may specify conditions in the authorization governing the operation of an aircraft referred to in subsection (2) as are necessary for its safe and proper operation.

• (4) No person shall operate an aircraft pursuant to an authorization issued under subsection (2) unless the authorization is on board and the aircraft is operated in accordance with any conditions specified therein.

Application for Issuance or Reservation of a Registration Mark

• 202.02 (1) The Minister shall, on receipt of an application made in accordance with the Aircraft Marking and Registration Standards, issue to or reserve a registration mark or a special registration mark for an applicant.

• (2) A registration mark or a special registration mark issued pursuant to subsection (1) is cancelled if the aircraft is not registered in Canada within 12 months after the day on which the registration mark was issued.

• (3) The reservation of a registration mark or a special registration mark pursuant to subsection (1) expires 12 months after the day on which the mark was reserved.

• (4) A registration mark or a special registration mark that is reserved under subsection (1) may be applied to an aircraft that is registered on a foreign register but shall be kept covered until the mark is issued to that aircraft.

Aircraft Marks

• 202.03 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the nationality mark in respect of a Canadian aircraft is the letter “C” and the registration mark in respect of the aircraft is a combination of four letters specified by the Minister.

• (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), where an aircraft was registered in Canada before January 1, 1974 or is a vintage aircraft,

  • (a) the nationality mark in respect of the aircraft is the letters “CF” and the registration mark in respect of the aircraft is a combination of three letters specified by the Minister; or

  • (b) the nationality mark in respect of the aircraft is the letter “C” and the registration mark in respect of the aircraft is a combination of four letters specified by the Minister.

• (3) Where the owner of an aircraft, other than a vintage aircraft, that has the letters “CF” as its nationality mark and a combination of three letters as its registration mark repaints the aircraft, the owner shall, prior to operating the aircraft, change the nationality mark to the letter “C” and the registration mark to the letter “F” followed by the combination of three letters.

• (4) Where the owner of an aircraft changes its marks under subsection (3) or the owner of a vintage aircraft changes its nationality mark from “C” to “CF” or from “CF” to “C”, followed by the appropriate registration mark, the owner shall, before operating the aircraft, notify the Minister in writing of the change.

• (5) On receipt of the notice, the Minister shall change the marks accordingly in the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register and issue a new registration certificate to reflect the change.

Removal or Change of Marks after Issuance of Continuing Registration

• 202.04 (1) If a continuing certificate of registration has been issued in respect of an aircraft under paragraph 202.25(1)(d), no person shall remove the marks that are displayed on the aircraft unless

  • (a) the aircraft is permanently withdrawn from service;

  • (b) the aircraft is being exported from Canada;

  • (c) the aircraft is undergoing or has undergone a transfer of legal custody and control to a person who is not qualified to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft;

  • (d) it is necessary to remove the marks for a maintenance operation;

  • (e) the marks are removed and repainted on the aircraft under subsection 202.03(3) or (4);

  • (f) the Minister requests that the marks be removed under section 202.61;

  • (g) the Minister requests that the marks be removed because they are unseemly or embarrassing;

  • (h) the Minister authorizes the removal of the marks under subsection 202.01(2); or

  • (i) the Minister permits the change of the marks under subsection (3).

• (2) If a continuing certificate of registration has been issued in respect of an aircraft under paragraph 202.25(1)(d), the owner may write to the Minister for permission to change the marks.

• (3) On receipt of a request to change marks, the Minister shall permit the change if the owner continues to meet the requirements of these Regulations.

Variance from the Specifications for Marks for Former Military Aircraft and Replicas

• 202.05 (1) Where an aircraft is a former military aircraft or a replica of a military aircraft, the Minister shall, on receipt of an application in accordance with the Aircraft Marking and Registration Standards, authorize an alternative size, location or colour for the display of its marks.

• (2) Where, pursuant to subsection (1), the Minister authorizes an alternative size, location or colour for the display of the marks of an aircraft, the marks shall be displayed accordingly.

Alternative Mark Size or Location

• 202.06 (1) Where the structural configuration of an aircraft precludes its marks from being displayed in accordance with section 202.01 or 202.07, the Minister shall, on receipt of an application in accordance with the Aircraft Marking and Registration Standards, authorize an alternative size or one or more alternative locations for the display of its marks.

• (2) Where, pursuant to subsection (1), the Minister authorizes an alternative size or one or more alternative locations for the display of the marks of an aircraft, the marks shall be displayed accordingly.

Use of Marks Assigned to a Manufacturer

• 202.07 (1) Where a manufacturer operates an aircraft within Canada for the purpose of a production test flight, a customer acceptance flight or a flight undertaken to complete the manufacturing process or to export the aircraft, in accordance with an authorization issued by the Minister pursuant to subsection 202.14(1), the manufacturer shall

  • (a) affix the marks once to each side of the aircraft fuselage or cabin by a means, such as paint or decals, that

    • (i) ensures that the marks will not be detached or erased while the aircraft is in operation, and

    • (ii) allows the marks to be removed after the operation;

  • (b) prior to the operation of the aircraft, inform the Minister in writing of

    • (i) the marks that have been affixed to the aircraft,

    • (ii) the manufacturer’s model designation, and

    • (iii) the serial number of the aircraft; and

  • (c) after the completion of the operation of the aircraft for the purpose specified in this subsection,

    • (i) remove the marks, and

    • (ii) notify the Minister in writing of their removal.

• (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister may reserve a block of marks for a manufacturer.

[202.08 to 202.12 reserved]

Division II — Aircraft Registration

Registration of Aircraft — General

• 202.13 (1) This section does not apply in respect of an aircraft that is

  • (a) a hang glider; or

  • (b) a parachute.

• (2) Except as otherwise authorized under subsection 202.14(1) or 202.43(1), no person shall operate an aircraft in Canada unless it is registered in Canada, in a contracting state or in a foreign state that has an agreement in force with Canada that allows an aircraft that is registered in that foreign state to be operated in Canada.

Aircraft Manufacturers

• 202.14 (1) On receipt of an application in writing, the Minister shall issue a written authorization permitting the operation in Canada of an aircraft that is not registered and in the authorization may specify conditions governing the operation of the aircraft as necessary for its safe and proper operation, where

  • (a) the aircraft was manufactured in Canada;

  • (b) the aircraft is operated by the manufacturer;

  • (c) the aircraft is operated within Canada for the purpose of

    • (i) a production test flight,

    • (ii) a customer acceptance flight, or

    • (iii) a flight undertaken to complete the manufacturing process or to export the aircraft;

  • (d) a registration mark has been reserved in respect of the aircraft pursuant to subsection 202.02(1);

  • (e) the aircraft displays its marks in accordance with section 202.01 or 202.07; and

  • (f) the manufacturer is qualified to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft pursuant to section 202.15.

• (2) The Minister may specify conditions in the authorization governing the operation of the aircraft referred to in subsection (1) as are necessary for its safe and proper operation.

• (3) No person shall operate an aircraft pursuant to an authorization issued under subsection (1) unless the aircraft is operated in accordance with any conditions specified in the authorization.

Qualifications to Be Registered Owner of a Canadian Aircraft

• 202.15 (1) Subject to subsection (2), any Canadian is qualified to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft.

• (2) No individual is qualified to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft unless the individual is at least 16 years of age.

• (3) An entity that is not Canadian but is incorporated or formed under the laws of Canada or a province is qualified to be the registered owner of a private Canadian aircraft where

  • (a) the entity provides the Minister with a certified copy of the entity’s certificate of incorporation or other equivalent document issued under the laws of Canada or a province pursuant to which the entity was incorporated or formed;

  • (b) the entity meets the requirements, specified in the Aircraft Marking and Registration Standards, respecting the keeping and preservation of records;

  • (c) the entity meets the reporting requirements specified in the Aircraft Marking and Registration Standards; and

  • (d) while the aircraft is registered in Canada, the flight time accumulated in Canada by the aircraft is not less than 60 per cent of the flight time accumulated by the aircraft at the end of each six-month period.

• (4) [Repealed, SOR/2021-152, s. 1]

• (5) Where an entity that is qualified to be the registered owner of an aircraft pursuant to subsection (3) ceases to meet the requirements set out in paragraphs (3)(b) to (d), the aircraft’s certificate of registration is cancelled.