Importing Canadien used aircraft

[EDGEFLY]

I have come across an aircraft which I may be interested in purchasing. Among the many things about the machine is that it is owned by a Canadien citizen and therefore must be brought into the U.S. for registration etc. While I am sure there must be procedures and processes to do this, I decided to ask forum members for any tips/knowledge etc., squares that need to be filled and so on. Among the things which I have thought of to date include:

-Transfer of inspection records, licenses, changes in ratings, compliance with AD's issued by U.S. , admissibility of any STC actions on the aircraft etc. I will, of course, be asking these questions of the FAA and will ask AOPA for its' input. which reminds me, is there an office of the EAA to solicit guidance from ? What is the proper way to handle taxes pertinet to a sale across the borders ?

Mostly, I am asking these questions here in hopes of tapping some personal experience from members who may have been down this path before.

EDGEFLY

[martymayes]

Assuming this is a type certificated and not a homebuilt: Make sure aircraft is eligible for import. A/C has to be deregistered in Canada, FAA requires evidence of such. Apply for n-number, register in the US, give it a fresh annual inspection, and pass a conformity check. Can then get a fresh AW certificate. If there are no paperwork/mechanical issues to bring the a/c to airworthy standards, the import process will only add ~$4k to the purchase price. The FAA has basic info on website:

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...international/

[turtle]

Nice thing about Canadian aircraft is they don't really have such a thing as field approvals. Much easier to pass a conformity check when every mod was done on a STC (US STC most likely). They're maintained to almost US commercial standards and obviously have to comply with US and Canadian AD's. It's a lot easier bringing one south than sending one north.

Unless it's in the owner-maintenance category. Then you're hooped.

[Tom Downey]

Unless it's in the owner-maintenance category. Then you're hooped.

No, that just costs more, when the aircraft meets its airworthy condition IAW the US requirements, you will get a AWC.

[turtle]

Oh, it's possible alright. With engine, prop and primary instruments overhaul, then a conformity check from hell. New data plates too for the airframe and engine because they have an X stamped on them. There isn't a plane on the eligibility list for O-M that would be worth the expense of converting it back. Not to mention that you'd have to trailer it from Canada as O-M is not allowed in US airspace.

[Tom Downey]

Oh, it's possible alright. With engine, prop and primary instruments overhaul, then a conformity check from hell. New data plates too for the airframe and engine because they have an X stamped on them. There isn't a plane on the eligibility list for O-M that would be worth the expense of converting it back. Not to mention that you'd have to trailer it from Canada as O-M is not allowed in US airspace.

A bilateral agreement between Canada and the US says any aircraft that is legally airworthy in either country is legal to fly in both, so, you simply have the Canada owner fly it down and park it.

But this applies,
"Foreign aircraft may fly in the U.S. if they have an airworthiness certificate equivalent to a U.S. standard airworthiness certificate. Otherwise, they require a Special Flight Authorization (SFA) as described in 14 CFR 91.715."

And

http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?docId=3CC41679FA0E88428525734F00766 768

note the date on that (

9/13/07

Show me where the issuance of an AWC requires the data tag not have an "X" on it. Serial number does not change, the make and model does not change. Plus the fact that the A&P-IA must sign off an annual saying that this aircraft has been inspected and is in an airworthy condition. why wouldn't the FAA issue the certificate.
Why would the engine/prop/instruments be required to be overhauled ?