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FAA Drone Registration and GoAERO Fly-Off Prep

Jim and Sue Gardner

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FAA Drone Registration: 55 pounds or More

Go To:

GoAERO Expert Lecture: Navigating the FAA Registration Process, with Gardner Aviation Services

5/8/25

GoAERO Expert Lecture Series

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Aircraft Registration

~22-24 weeks before event

FAA N-number / tail number reserved
FAA Aircraft registration application (AC Form 8050-1) filed

FAA reviewing documents received on approximately June 16, 2026

~18-20 weeks before event

Receive FAA aircraft registration

Drones 55 Pounds or more

U.S.

Required for A/W certificate or operating at UAS Test Site
14 CFR Part 47 (N-number)

Recommend using the online CARES system

Mark unmanned aircraft per 14 CFR Part 45

Foreign

UA registered and marked per their country’s requirements
Required for Special Flight Authorization (SFA) or operating under UAS Test Site

The Traditional Aircraft Registration (by mail) under 14 CFR Part 47 process:�Is required

for UA that weigh 55 pounds or more,
for UA owned by a trustee under a trust agreement,
when the UA owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements,

You must use the paper (N-number) registration process if:

Your unmanned aircraft is 55 pounds or greater (FAA Electronic Cares is now authorized)
You want to qualify a small unmanned aircraft for operation outside the United States
You hold title to an aircraft in trust
The small unmanned aircraft owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements

Is available

for UA that need N-number registration to operate outside the U.S.,
when public recording is desired for a UA loan, lease, or ownership documents,

Registration is required for Government UA.

All Aircraft (UA) owned by agencies, offices or subdivisions of: the United States (other than aircraft (UA) of the U.S. Armed Forces), the States, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States must be registered in accordance with 14 C.F.R. Part 47 or Part 48.

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For Drones weighing 55 pounds or more:

Register Drone Under Part 47

FAA Registry - Aircraft N-Number Reservation

Complete/Submit Affidavit of Ownership for Unmanned Aircraft (UA) or its Equivalent.

Complete Description Required.

Certification Completed with Invoices included if Applicable.

Appropriate Title Shown.

Ink or Acceptable Digital Signature Required.

Notary Public Required.

Registration of your Drone remains valid for seven years.

For status if your Registration Application Go to: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/

§ 47.2 Definitions.

The following are definitions of terms used in this part:

Citizen of the United States or U.S. citizen means one of the following:

(1) An individual who is a citizen of the United States or one of its possessions.

(2) A partnership each of whose partners is an individual who is a citizen of the United States.

(3) A corporation or association organized under the laws of the United States or a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States, of which the president and at least two-thirds of the board of directors and other managing officers are citizens of the United States, which is under the actual control of citizens of the United States, and in which at least 75 percent of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are citizens of the United States.

Registry means the FAA, Civil Aviation Registry, Aircraft Registration Branch.

Resident alien means an individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States as an immigrant in conformity with the regulations of the Department of Homeland Security (8 CFR Chapter 1).

[Doc. No. FAA-2015-7396; Amdt. 47-30, 80 FR 78645, Dec. 16, 2015]

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For Drones weighing 55 pounds or more:

Aircraft N-Number Reservation

FAA Registry - Aircraft N-Number Reservation

If a special N-number was reserved in advance – enter it on the Registration Forms.��A special N-number can be reserved On-line

Go to: https://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/nn/

Online N-Number reservation consists of the following steps:

Enter N-Number(s) for Reservation
Verify N-Number Reservation Information
Credit Card Payment Processing
The cost to reserve an N-Number online is $10.00 (payable by credit card).

�A random N-number will be assigned at no cost if the indicated blanks on the registration forms are left empty, or a random number is requested.

FAA Registry�Aircraft N-Number Reservation https://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/nn/

This site is provided to allow users to request the reservation of an available N-Number.

Requesting reservation from the site does not guarantee reservation. Requests are processed in order of receipt and it is possible that other requests for the same N-Number are already in process.

The cost to reserve an N-Number online is $10.00 (payable by credit card).

Online N-Number reservation consists of the following steps:

Enter N-Number(s) for Reservation
Verify N-Number Reservation Information
Credit Card Payment Processing

An N-number to be assigned to the registered UA.�If a special N-number was reserved in advance by the UA owner for this registration, this number will be assigned if it is entered on the forms in the indicated blanks.��A special N-number may be requested when filing the application and other documents for registration. A special registration number is an N-Number that you select from the https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberInquiry for immediate use on a specific aircraft or to reserve in your name for future use.

�A random N-number will be assigned at no cost if the indicated blanks on the registration forms are left empty, or a random number is requested.

The Federal Aviation Administration accepts documents containing digital signatures by email. The documents may be submitted electronically as an attachment to an email at 9-avs-ar-electronic-submittals@faa.gov. Documents signed in ink must be submitted by U.S. Post Office or commercial delivery services. The link to Contact the Aircraft Registration Branch provides our contact information including our mailing and physical addresses. Any questions can be by email Aircraft Registration Branch, or you can call 1-866-762-9434, or 405-954-3116.

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For Drones weighing 55 pounds or more:

FAA CARES Platform

Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES)

Applicants (Individuals, Corporations and LLCs) can submit their aircraft registration applications online through the FAA’s new Civil Aircraft Registry Electronic Services (CARES) platform.

Users can:

Complete and digitally sign self-guided aircraft registration applications
Upload legal and supplemental documents
Receive auto-generated notifications
Request aircraft registration N numbers
Make online payment

Getting Started:

Sign up for a CARES account at the CARES site online

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FAA Drone Zone Support
UAS Help Desk Website: https://www.faa.gov/uas/contact_us
UAS Support Toll Free: 1-844-FLY-MY-UA (359-6982)
Aircraft Registration Application: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/AC_Form_8050-1_revised_04-2024_PA.pdf

Registration Branch OKC
Exam Toll Free: 1-866-762-9434
Exam Email: 9-AMC-AFS750-Aircraft@faa.gov
Web Access: www.registry.faa.gov
Sign up for a CARES account at the CARES site online

REGISTRATION RESOURCES

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Aircraft Certification

~22-24 weeks before event

FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate (Experimental) (SAC-EC) application package submitted
FAA (DAR or FSDO) inspection scheduled

~18-20 weeks before event

FAA (DAR or FSDO) inspection complete
FAA Airworthiness Certificate (SAC-EC) approval received

Drones 55 Pounds or more

How do I certify my UAS to fly in the GoAERO competition?

Today’s FAA Briefing or Go To:

GoAERO Expert Lecture: Your FAA Path Forward -

Sandy Yamane, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Manager, FAA
John Soltis, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Manager, FAA Aircraft Certification Service

Contact Jim and Sue Gardner for FAA

certification coordination and support@ gardneraviation@aol.com

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Flight Operations

~8-10 weeks before event

Crew trained and qualified (FAA Part 61/Part 91)

Confirm FAA/Foreign Aircraft Registration, Airworthiness Certificate/SFA, and COA match aircraft configuration

Qualifying video and package submitted by March 17, 2027 (hard deadline, no exceptions)

Flight Test - Local Operations/Half Moon Bay (HAF) Operations/Test Site/Foreign

How do I flight test my UAS/conduct qualifying video prior to the GoAERO competition?

Must operate under a FAA COA (SAC-EC specific) (SFA specific) or FAA UAS Test Site COA

HAF/Moffett – Standardized COA (FAA WSA)
Apply for a COA at local site with the jurisdictional FAA Service Center
Operate under FAA UAS Test Site COA
Follow Foreign Country requirements for UAS Flight Testing prior to issuance of FAA SFA

Flight Testing COA available at HAF 2 weeks prior to GoAERO Event. Arrangements can be made earlier for FAA certification needs. Contact Jim and Sue Gardner (gardneraviation@aol.com)

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Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF)

HALF MOON BAY (HAF)(KHAF) 5 NW UTC–8(–7DT) N37º30.81´ W122º30.07´

66 B TPA—999(933) NOTAM FILE OAK

RWY 12–30: H5000X150 (ASPH–CONC) S–30, D–200, 2D–360 MIRL 0.7% up NW

RWY 12: PAPI(P2L)—GA 3.0º TCH 24´. Thld dsplcd 752´. Trees.

RWY 30: REIL. PAPI(P2L)—GA 3.0º TCH 24´. Thld dsplcd 762´. Trees. Rgt tfc.

SERVICE: S2 FUEL 100LL LGT ACTIVATE MIRL Rwy 12–30, REIL Rwy 30, PAPI Rwy 12 and PAPI Rwy 30—122.8.

Half Moon Bay Operations Overview:

HAF management has agreed to allow GoAERO teams to operate at HAF airport within the designated area

GoAERO teams arrive no earlier than 9:30AM and terminate no later than 3:30 PM daily.
HAF Location Lat/Long: N37°24.97' / W122°2.95'
HAF Unicom Frequency: 122.80
No GoAERO operations may occur without FAA certification/COA and prior coordination with Gardner Aviation Services .

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Comments?
Questions?

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GoAERO has partnered with Sue and Jim Gardner to engage with all active Stage 2 and Stage 3 Teams who may need support navigating the FAA aircraft and airman pathways. Both are retired after an illustrious 30-year career with the FAA.
Jim’s role as a senior executive in Flight Standards with experience navigating both GA airman and aircraft certification, and Sue’s role as the FAA National Aviation Events Specialist, and FAA team member supporting development of pathways for sUAS and unique aircraft (e.g Jetman, flyboards), and Program Lead for the Sport Pilot and LSA rulemaking provide them with the tools and strong relationships within the FAA to help all our active Stage 2 and 3 teams identify and navigate their way through the FAA certification pathways in an efficient manner.
On behalf of GoAERO, they will work directly with all active Stage 3 Teams in a one-on-one capacity to help each team define your FAA certification pathway and then provide an additional 5 hours support for each team as you process the required FAA paperwork for both your aircraft and the pilot/operator.

Contact Information

Jim Gardner: (630) 880-5833

Sue Gardner: (630) 880-5834

Email: gardneraviation@aol.com