Federal Aviation Administration

The Cape Town Treaty -

Updated: 10:43 am ET March 13, 2008

Cape Town Treaty Refers to:

The Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, and its Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment - November 16, 2001

As adopted in the United States by The Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004 - August 9, 2004 which:

  • Recognizes the International Registry as an additional place for the filing of interests, including prospective interests, in certain airframes, helicopters, and aircraft engines.
  • Establishes the right for owners of these aircraft to grant an Irrevocable De-Registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) to a secured party.
  • Reduces from 750 to 550 rated take-off shaft horsepower the size threshold for aircraft engines eligible to be recorded as collateral in security instruments.
  • Establishes the Civil Aviation Registry as the Authorizing Entry Point.

The effective date of these changes is March 1, 2006.

Aircraft and Aircraft Engines Eligible for International Registry Recording:

  • Airframes that are type certificated to transport:
    • At least eight (8) persons including crew; or
    • Goods in excess of 2750 kilograms (6050 pounds)
  • Helicopters that are type certificated to transport:
    • At least five (5) persons including crew; or
    • Goods in excess of 450 kilograms (990 pounds)
  • Jet propulsion aircraft engines with at least 1750 pounds of thrust or its equivalent.
  • Turbine-powered or Piston-powered aircraft engines with at least 550 rated take-off horsepower or its equivalent.
CapeTown Eligible Aircraft

Questions about the International Registry must be directed to:
The International Registry
https//www.internationalregistry.aero

The text of the Cape Town Treaty and the Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment are available at http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/main.htm

Registration of interests in eligible U.S. Aircraft and Aircraft Engines with the International Registry

10:43 am ET March 13, 2008