Aircraft Import Process – Part II
by Glenn Graham
In Part 1 of the Aircraft Import Process we looked at hiring a Ministers Delegate-Maintenance (MD-M), his/her expected fees and the paper work required for the import. In Part 2 we will continue to focus on the paperwork and additional requirements to complete the import.
As we discussed in Part 1 the MD-M will provide you with the MSI 26. Carefully read and understand the entire document and if you have any questions, ask the MD-M, you are paying them to help!
You will be responsible to complete parts 1 & 2 of the MSI 26 document and for eligible aircraft these parts will be used for registration of the aircraft. Part 1 is the Conformance Statement that consists of the Applicant/Owners Name, Telephone Number and Date as well as the Authorized Representative or Importing Aircraft Maintenance Organization’s (AMO) particulars. In Part2, you will have to complete sections 1 to 15 as applicable; various information pertaining to the aircraft, engine, propeller and dynamic components. You will have to include a Photograph or Rubbing of the actual aircraft data tag along with its location on the aircraft. Make sure you can clearly see the aircraft’s make, model, serial number and a Type Certificate Number. The MD-M will use this to confirm eligibility for import. There will also be several questions regarding the type of operation whether private or commercial; and if it is operated commercial, you will have to include the type of Operations Certificate it will be working under. Once you have completed your applicable sections of the MSI 26 the MD-M will complete Part 2.7 confirming Eligibility for import. Again; as mentioned in Part 1 of this article, confirm eligibility prior to starting the import process. This saves time and money!
Part 3 of the MSI 26 document consists of three checklists that are broken down into”two methods of verification of conformity to an approved type design”. You will have to read over these and decide which one is applicable to your importation method. If you are unsure as to what applies to you, ask the MD-M.
Part 4 and Part 5 of the MSI 26 does not pertain to you if you are going to operate the imported aircraft “Privately” for pleasure. I will not go into these parts of the document but I will state, as Transport Canada has stated, that Part 4 and 5 are “Optional at Time of Import”. If these do pertain to you and you want to complete them; read the instructions as they are very self explanatory.
Now that the MSI 26 is completed, next on your to-do list is the completion of the Certificate of Registration Application (Form# 26-0522). Your MD-M should have sent you a Transport Canada Aircraft Registration handout, so refer back to it for completion instructions. If he/she did not, instructions for registration are included with the application form. On the application you will see the boxes to fill in the Registration Marks for the aircraft. You can leave this blank and Transport Canada will assign you marks; or you can go to the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register at https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/Menu.aspx?lang=eng and search for available marks. For a fee of $45.00 you can reserve a mark or for $140.00 reserve a special mark. Remember Transport Canada cannot register an imported aircraft before receiving notification from a foreign civil aviation authority that the aircraft is not registered in the foreign state. So ensure the previous owner has the aircraft de-registered. This is a must!
The import process is not difficult it just takes time and effort on the part of the Applicant and MD-M and just like the process, the explanation of the process takes more than a few paragraphs. That is why I will leave it here for today and let you know there will be a Part 3, so comeback in the next few days and I will “Complete the Aircraft Import Process”.
If you are in the market to Sell or Buy an aircraft, contact us through our website or telephone me directly at 1-(705) 923-1552. We are here to help!
