How to get a title search done directly with the FAA

Kumaran Prabakaran

Kumaran Prabakaran

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Kumaran
Im looking at buying a Piper Archer 2 1980 model .
Is there a way to directly search the title with FAA or do we have to go via the Title search companies ?
 
You can do it yourself or you can have a title search company do it for you. If you miss something in the records that could cost you a lot of money and problems down the road, If a title search company miss something you have someone to hold responsible. Your choice do it yourself of spend a little for a professional search or do it yourself and hope for the best.
 
Any Lien that would stop the title transfer would be on the aircraft's history records (CD) State county no, but it is the sellers responsibility to pay those.
 
Why not buy title insurence? Quick and inexpensive.
 
You can order the CD from the FAA at http://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/ND/. I guess you can review it yourself, if you understand what all those documents say and mean and crosscheck that for every document that creates a lien, there is another document releasing it. And that there are no other title discontinuities.

Me, I know what they are and what they say (I even wrote some of them). But I'd pay the $100 or so to have the guys who do this all the time check the "live" data and confirm the title was still clear when title and money changed hands,

YMMV.
 
midlifeflyer said:
You can order the CD from the FAA at http://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/ND/. I guess you can review it yourself, if you understand what all those documents say and mean and crosscheck that for every document that creates a lien, there is another document releasing it. And that there are no other title discontinuities.

Me, I know what they are and what they say (I even wrote some of them). But I'd pay the $100 or so to have the guys who do this all the time check the "live" data and confirm the title was still clear when title and money changed hands,

YMMV.
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The big gotcha is, the FAA is so slow in updating the history files, a very resent lien will not show.
 
Tom-D said:
The big gotcha is, the FAA is so slow in updating the history files, a very resent lien will not show.
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That's definitely going to be the case with the CD. I've heard but can't confirm the title companies have access to more current records.
 
I'd never EVER rely on the CD for ***ANYTHING***. It is purely informational. The FAA regularly makes mistakes when generating these things. They take the paper on file for your aircraft and scan it and sometimes they miss pages (I know this for a fact because I have both the old fiche and the newer CD and there are things that should be on both and each is missing things the other has. THere are times where I have double sided forms (like 337's) that I am missing one side or the other.

Get a title search by a company that will go to Joklahoma city and put their eyes on the file and warrant their work.
 
Kumaran Srinivasan said:
Is there a way to directly search the title with FAA or do we have to go via the Title search companies ?
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As mentioned above, better to use a title company. I've used the AOPA services and several companies located in Oak City to good success.
 
The CD has helped me on more than one occasion. And is way less expensive than a title company. $10 vs. $100+.
There were unsatisfied liens on 2 aircraft, a quick call to the lienholder found that on one, the lien was indeed 10 years old, and still in force. I got a "thank you" from them and in a few days I got a letter from them stating the satisfaction of the lien.
Airplane #2 had a lien and a bit of "google fu" was required to find the lienholder, I found that the lien was written off, after the demise of the debtor.
 
I relied on the FAA CD on the purchase of a glider years ago. I found a very old lien not properly released, even though the glider had changed hands with another lien that did have a release.

Then I learned the original lien holder, bank, had also changed hands a few times. I called the bank, explained the issue, sent them the papers on what I had and instructions on how to properly release the lien, and advised they needed to file the original directly to FAA, send me a copy.

Two weeks later I confirmed with FAA the proper paperwork was filed and proceeded with the purchase.
 
I used aerospace reports, just last week, put in the information and paid on a Friday, had the results first thing Monday morning. No sweat.
 
+1 for Aerospace Reports. Very quick and professional. IIRC, about $80 for my search on a recent aircraft purchase. They found a $15k lien on the aircraft. The seller used Aerospace to clear the lien; the debt had been paid but the lien was never released. It cost him $250 or so, I think, for legwork/paperwork to do this. They provided me a clean title search afterward.
 
How long does a title search take? I have a different situation where I am inheriting a plane, I have been told the plane is clear of probate, but still have not received title. I was told it was due to a complete title search needs to be done. Feels like it is taking forever.

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What do you mean by "have not received title?" Airplanes do not have title documents like cars. Ownership is transferred by filing the appropriate documents (typically bill of sale) with the FAA. For an estate to transfer title, they need to also execute the "heir at law."

But yes, I'd still run a title search. You want to make sure things are good now (no hidden liens, etc...) rather than finding out about it later on when you sell (or whatever).
 
drotto said:
How long does a title search take? I have a different situation where I am inheriting a plane, I have been told the plane is clear of probate, but still have not received title. I was told it was due to a complete title search needs to be done. Feels like it is taking forever.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
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You must make application for registration, The FAA will not send you any paper saying you own the aircraft.
I'd call the FAA registration desk, and see what they need from you to make the transfer of ownership.
 
When any thing clears probate, all liens and encumberments are settled. why do a double take on this?
 
drotto said:
I have a different situation where I am inheriting a plane
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Since it appears you are not the person handling the estate, I would give the Registration Branch a call in Oak City and ask about the documents needed to re-register in your name. Then discuss those requirements with whoever is handling the estate. Also, you should do a quick search on the registration database to see if the current N number is still active. If not, this could add another layer to the mix. And don't forget when you do work out registration issues, some States will be looking for their taxes on that transfer.
 
Actually, Bell is right. I've generally found them helpful with inquiries like this (either on phone or email). However, they are immense sticklers for detail (rightfully so I guess). There are two steps here. The ESTATE must file the documents that transfer ownership to you and only THEN can you register it.

I disagree with Tom, however. It's quite possible for an estate to miss a lien and depending on just what state is involved, the property can indeed be transferred with liens in place.
 
Bell206 said:
Since it appears you are not the person handling the estate, I would give the Registration Branch a call in Oak City and ask about the documents needed to re-register in your name. Then discuss those requirements with whoever is handling the estate. Also, you should do a quick search on the registration database to see if the current N number is still active. If not, this could add another layer to the mix. And don't forget when you do work out registration issues, some States will be looking for their taxes on that transfer.
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Plane is still active insured and in use by me. It was my father's plane and it has already been cleared from a tax perspective. Just unclear why I have not been given the go ahead to transfer title. Thinking I should do a little legwork myself to speed things up.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Again, the estate administrator needs to file the HEIR-At-LAW forum which allows him to sign the 8050-2 which they will then submit to transfer the ownership.
After that, you can file an 8050-1 to register the plane. The only record you are likely to get or obliged to keep is your copy of the 8050-1 which you put in the plane as the now valid registration until the FAA sends you the "permanent" one.

All the forms are here: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certif...cation/aircraft_registry/aircraft_regn_forms/
along with instructions.

The FAA has finally entered the 21st century and allows you to print the PDFs there and use them rather than their silly NCR printed forms.
 
flyingron said:
I disagree with Tom, however. It's quite possible for an estate to miss a lien and depending on just what state is involved, the property can indeed be transferred with liens in place.
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Not all states are probate states, but those that are ensure all liens are cleared, (that is what probate courts do) Considering he stated that it was out of probate, I made the obvious conclusion.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Aero-Space Reports. Did it in hours for me today!
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For the longer story,
I really had my chit together and emailed pertinent documents to them Tue which this week followed the holiday Monday.
(I had inspected airplane on Fri pm, so could not start any of this til next business opening.)
I felt like the seller was a bit antsy as after I set up a visit he had other calls, perhaps better ones so I noted to Aero-Space Reports my concern about speed.
They had the title searched and all the documents ready to sign that day (yesterday) and today, a document to approve release of funds from escrow and the temp a/c registration form to me by noon!
Lots of useful comm all the way along and zippy answers to my silly questions.

I could NOT be happier than I am with the way they helped me.
From 9:00am Tue til 12:00 on Wed, that must be a record. Somewhere around 12 biz hours.
Very fair price.
 
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