Standard 222 - Aircraft Marking and Registration - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)

See also Subpart 202

Table of contents

  • Division I - Aircraft Marks
    • 222.01 - Specifications for Marks
    • 222.02 - Application for Issuance or Reservation of Registration Marks
    • 222.05 - Variance from the Specifications for Marks for Former Military Aircraft and Replicas
    • 222.06 - Alternative Mark Size or Location
  • Division II - Aircraft Registration
    • 222.15 - Reporting Requirements to be Registered Owner of a Canadian Aircraft
    • 222.16 - Registration Requirements
  • Division III - Reserved
  • Division IV - Transfer of Legal Custody and Control
    • 222.36 - Interim Registration
    • 222.37 - Provisional Registration

Content last revised: 2005/12/01

Division I - Aircraft Marks

222.01 Specifications for Marks

(1) Except in the circumstances described in subsection 202.07(1) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations the marks shall be displayed on and affixed to a Canadian aircraft as follows:

Aircraft

  • (a) painted on the aircraft or be affixed to it by a means that provides a degree of permanence similar to that of paint;

  • (b) distinct and not obscured or confused by a symbol or letter that is not part of the marks:

    • (i) in Roman capital type without ornamentation,

    • (ii) formed by solid lines that contrast in colour with the background colour of the aircraft, and

    • (iii) displayed so that there is a margin of not less than 5 cm (1.970 inches) between the edge of each letter of the marks and each edge of the surface on which the marks are displayed;

  • (c) the nationality mark and the registration mark displayed on the aircraft shall be separated by a hyphen;

Helicopter or Gyroplane

  • (d) once parallel to the longitudinal axis

    • (i) on each side surface of the fuselage or cabin, below the window line and as near to the cockpit as possible,

    • (ii) in the case of a single vertical tail, on each surface of the tail,

    • (iii) in the case of a multi-vertical tail, on each side surface of the tail, or

    • (iv) once on each side of the upper engine or transmission cowling of the main rotor assembly where the cowlings are located over the main cabin.

  • (e) the display of marks on the bottom surface of the fuselage or cabin of a helicopter or gyroplane is optional and where the marks are displayed they shall be placed

    • (i) once parallel to the longitudinal axis and the letters arranged with their tops toward the left side, or

  • (f) where the marks are not displayed on the bottom surface of the fuselage or cabin the height of the marks that are displayed on the side surfaces in accordance with paragraph (d) shall be displayed in accordance with paragraph 222.01(2)(o).
    (amended 2000/06/01)

Heavier-than-Air-Aircraft Other than Helicopter or Gyroplane

  • (g) except as provided in paragraph 222.01(2)(p), once parallel to the longitudinal axis
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (i) on each side of the fuselage or an alternative structure in the area between the wing and the tail surface,

    • (ii) in the case of a single vertical tail on each side surface of the tail, or

    • (iii) in the case of a multi-vertical tail on each outboard surface of the tail;

    • (iv) where an engine pod or other appurtenance occupies the area between the wing and the tail surface of a heavier-than-air aircraft and is an integral part of the side surface of the fuselage or an alternative structure, the marks of the aircraft shall be displayed on the outboard surface;

  • (h) the display of marks on the bottom surface of the wings is optional,

    • (i) where the marks are displayed and the aircraft has one set of wings, the marks shall be placed once on the bottom surface of the wings or, where the aircraft has more than one set of wings, once on the bottom surface of the lowest wings

      • (A) extending from wing tip to wing tip or on the left wing only,

      • (B) equidistant, to the extent possible, from the leading and the trailing edges, and

      • (C) with the letters arranged with their tops toward the leading edge; or

  • (i) where the marks are not displayed on the bottom surface of the wings, the height of the marks that are displayed on the side surfaces in accordance with subsection (g) shall be displayed in accordance 222.01(2)(o).

Airships

  • (j) parallel to the longitudinal axis

    • (i) once on each side of the hull or envelope in a place that

      • (A) is as near as possible to the maximum horizontal cross-section of the airship, and

      • (B) allows the marks to be clearly visible from a point on the ground beneath the airship, and

    • (ii) once on the uppermost surface of the hull or envelope, straddling, to the extent possible, the plane of symmetry of the airship and with the letters arranged with their tops toward the left side;

  • (k) the marks of an airship shall be displayed on the horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the airship as follows:

    • (i) once on the upper right surface and once on the lower left surface of the horizontal stabilizer, with the letters arranged with their tops toward the leading edge of the stabilizer, and

    • (ii) on the bottom half of the vertical stabilizer, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airship,

      • (A) once on both surfaces, in the case of a single stabilizer, or

      • (B) once on each outboard surface, in the case of a multi vertical stabilizer;

Balloons

  • (l) on a spherical balloon, displayed horizontally at each of two diametrically opposite positions near the maximum horizontal circumference of the envelope;

  • (m) on a non-spherical balloon, displayed horizontally at each of two diametrically opposite positions near the maximum horizontal cross-section of the envelope, or immediately above the rigging band or the points of the attachment of the gondola suspension cables;

  • (n) the marks of a balloon registered prior to October 1, 1990, may be displayed vertically; and

  • (o) the marks displayed on the side of lighter than air aircraft shall be clearly visible from the ground on that side of the aircraft.

Specifications for the Letters in the Marks Displayed on Aircraft

(2) The letters in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall meet the following specifications:

  • (a) be of equal height;

  • (b) subject to subsections (c) and (d), the height of each letter in the marks displayed on a heavier-than-air aircraft shall be not less than 15 cm (5.9 inches);

  • (c) the height of each letter in the marks displayed on the bottom surface of a wing of a heavier-than-air aircraft shall be not less than 50 cm (19.68 inches);

  • (d) the height of each letter in the marks displayed on the bottom surface of the fuselage or cabin of a rotorcraft shall be the lesser of

    • (i) 50 cm (19.68 inches), and

    • (ii) four fifths of the width of the fuselage or cabin;

  • (e) the height of each letter in the marks displayed on a lighter-than-air aircraft shall be not less than 50 cm (19.68 inches);

  • (f) the width of each letter in the marks displayed on an aircraft, other than the letters "I", "M" and "W", shall be two thirds of the letter's height;

  • (g) the width of the letter "I" in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall be one sixth of the letter's height;

  • (h) the width of the letter "M" or "W" in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall not exceed the letter's height;

  • (i) the length of a hyphen in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall be two thirds of the height of any letter in the marks;

  • (j) the thickness of the lines of a letter or hyphen in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall be one sixth of the height of any letter in the marks;

  • (k) the letters in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall be displayed adjacent to each other in a series;

  • (l) adjacent letters in the marks displayed on an aircraft shall be separated by a space that is not less than one quarter of the width of the letter "C" in the marks;

  • (m) a letter in the marks displayed on an aircraft that is adjacent to a hyphen shall be separated from the hyphen by a space that is not less than one quarter of the width of the letter "C" in the marks;

Marks Displayed at an Angle

  • (n) where the letters of marks are displayed at an angle,

    • (i) the letters are displayed at an angle of not more than plus or minus 35 degrees to the perpendicular of their base,

    • (ii) the angle of each letter and of both sides of the hyphen comprising the marks are the same,

    • (iii) the height of the letters is measured perpendicular from the base line of the letters, and

    • (iv) the width of the letters, the spacing between the letters and the width of the hyphen are measured parallel to the base line and between the lines that define the outside edges of each letter and the hyphen;

Marks Displayed on Side Surfaces of a Heavier-than-Air-Aircraft
When not Displayed Under the Wing or Cabin

(amended 2000/06/01)

  • (o) the height of the letters in the marks on the side surfaces of a heavier-than-air aircraft that does not display marks under the wing or cabin, shall be 30 cm (11.8 inches), except that, where required by the dimensions of the structure of the aircraft, that height may be reduced to:

    • (i) the maximum height allowed by the dimensions of the structure of the aircraft or a height of 15 cm (5.9 inches), whichever is greater, or

    • (ii) in the case of a glider, an amateur-built aircraft or an ultra-light aeroplane, the maximum height allowed by the dimensions of the structure of the aircraft or a height of 7.5 cm (3 inches), whichever is greater,

    provided that a margin of 5 cm (1.970 inches) can be maintained as required under subparagraph 222.01(1)(b)(iii); and
    (amended 2000/06/01)

  • (p) where either one of the surfaces referred to in paragraph 222.01(1)(g) is large enough for display of marks meeting the size requirements of paragraph (o) and the other is not, full size marks shall be placed on the larger surface.
    (amended 2000/06/01)

222.02 Application for Issuance or Reservation of Registration Marks

  • (1) The following shall be submitted in application for the issuance of a registration mark in respect of an aircraft:

    • (a) the manufacturer's name, model designation and serial number of the aircraft;

    • (b) the location of the aircraft;

    • (c) a statement indicating whether the aircraft is new, used or being manufactured;

    • (d) the applicant's name and address;

    • (e) the applicant's telephone number, if any;

    • (f) except in the case of an application by Her Majesty in the right of Canada or a province, evidence that establishes that the applicant is qualified pursuant to Section 202.16, to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft;

    • (g) an estimate of the date on which the applicant will apply for registration of the aircraft; and

    • (h) evidence that the aircraft is not registered in another country.

  • (2) The following shall be submitted in an application for the reservation of a registration mark:

    • (a) the applicant's name and address;

    • (b) the applicant's telephone number, if any;

    • (c) except in the case of an application by Her Majesty in the right of Canada, or a province, evidence that establishes that the applicant is qualified pursuant to Section 202.15, to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft; and

    • (d) the fee prescribed in Subpart 104 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

222.05 Variance from the Specifications for Marks for Former Military Aircraft and Replicas

The following shall be submitted by the owner, in writing, for an authorization to permit an alternate size, location or colour for the display of marks on former military aircraft or replica military aircraft:

  • (a) evidence that establishes that the aircraft retains its military colours and original markings; and

  • (b) a suggested alternative size, location or colour for the display of the marks in which the marks would be clearly identifiable.

222.06 Alternative Mark Size or Location

The following shall be submitted by the owner, in writing, for an authorization to permit an alternative mark size or location:

  • (a) evidence that establishes that the structural configuration of the aircraft prevents its marks from being displayed in accordance with Sections 202.01 or 202.07 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations; and

  • (b) a suggested alternative size or one or more alternative locations for the display of the marks in which the marks would be clearly identifiable.

Division II - Aircraft Registration

222.15 Reporting Requirements to be Registered Owner of a Canadian Aircraft

  • (1) The entity shall maintain a record of the entries in the aircraft journey log for three years after the year in which the flight time recorded therein is accumulated and make the record available to the Minister on request for inspection.

  • (2) The entity shall provide to the Minister, not more than seven days after the expiration of each period described in subsection (3), a report indicating:

    • (a) the total flight time accumulated by the aircraft during that period; and

    • (b) the total flight time accumulated by the aircraft in Canada during that period,

      • (i) total flight time accumulated by the aircraft in Canada shall include non-stop flights between two points, where one of the points is in Canada, and

      • (ii) emergency, maintenance or refuelling stops shall not be considered interruptions of non-stop flights.

  • (3) The reporting periods for the reports required by subsection (2) shall:

    • (a) begin on the day after the date of registration of the aircraft and end on the last day of the sixth month following the month in which it was registered; and

    • (b) be made for each six month period following the period described in paragraph (a).

222.16 Registration Requirements

  • (1) An application for the registration of an aircraft, other than an application for provisional registration, shall meet the following requirements:
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (a) the application form shall be signed by

      • (i) each owner that is an individual,

      • (ii) an authorized signing officer of each owner that is a entity, or

      • (iii) an authorized signing officer of Her Majesty, where Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province is the owner;

    • (b) the application shall be accompanied by the bill of sale, lease, last will and testament or other legal document that establishes the applicant for registration as the aircraft owner;

    • (c) for an imported aircraft, written notification shall be received by the Minister from the foreign civil aviation authority that the aircraft is not registered in that foreign state;
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (d) a registration mark shall have been issued in respect of the aircraft pursuant to subsection 202.02(1);

    • (e) except in the case of an ultra-light aeroplane, the aircraft shall be eligible for a flight authority pursuant to Part V of the Canadian Aviation Regulations;
      (amended 2000/03/01)

    • (f) a photograph of the Aircraft Identification Plate that clearly reproduces the information contained thereon, for the purpose of accurately identifying the make, model and serial number of the aircraft, shall be provided to the Minister, on request,

    • (g) where two or more persons are the owners of an aircraft, an application to register the aircraft shall specify which of them shall be the nominee for the purpose of receiving requests, notices and other documents sent by the Minister pursuant to this Subpart 202, of the Canadian Aviation Regulations;

    • (h) where an authorized signing officer of a entity signs an application to register an aircraft, there shall be attached to the application evidence that establishes the signing authority of the officer; and

    • (i) where the application to register an aircraft is signed by an agent on behalf of the owner, there shall be attached to the application documentation that establishes the signing authority of the agent.

  • (2) To establish an applicant for registration as aircraft owner, as per paragraph 222.16(1)(b), a lease or other agreement shall contain the following:
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (a) the commencement and expiry dates of the lease or agreement;

    • (b) the names of the parties to the lease or agreement;

    • (c) a description of the aircraft, including the aircraft marks, name of the aircraft manufacturer, model designation and serial number;

    • (d) a statement that the aircraft is in the legal custody and control of the lessee, or of the transferee, for the duration of the lease or agreement;

    • (e) a statement that responsibility for the airworthiness and maintenance of the aircraft is vested in the lessee, or in the transferee, for the duration of the lease or agreement;

    • (f) a statement that the lessor or transferor will not provide directly or indirectly any flight crew member to operate the aircraft for the duration of the lease or agreement;

    • (g) a statement specifying whether or not sub-leasing, or assignment of the agreement, is permitted under the lease or agreement;

    • (h) a statement describing the requirements and procedures for early termination of the lease or agreement; and

    • (i) a statement that no other part of the lease or agreement and that no other legal document between the parties to the lease or agreement exist, concerning the aircraft described in the lease or agreement, which would contradict any statement that is required to be included in the lease or agreement under this subsection.

Division III - Reserved

Division IV - Transfer of Legal Custody and Control

222.36 Interim Registration

  • (1) For interim registration, the new owner shall:
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (a) complete the application on the back of the Continuing Certificate of Registration and date and sign the application form;
      (amended 2024/10/10)

    • (b) submit the Continuing Certificate of Registration to the Minister; and
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (c) retain, on board the aircraft, the completed, dated and signed Interim Certificate of Registration.
      (amended 2000/06/01)

  • (2) For interim registration for the purpose of requesting a change of name and/or address on the Continuing Certificate of Registration, the registered owner shall:
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (a) enter the change of name and/or address on the application on the back of the Continuing Certificate of Registration, and date and sign the application form in ink;
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (b) submit the Continuing Certificate of Registration to the Minister; and
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (c) retain, on board the aircraft, the Interim Certificate of Registration completed with the change(s), dated and signed.
      (amended 2000/06/01)

  • (3) For interim registration for the purpose of making a change on the Continuing Certificate of Registration other than a change of name and/or address, the registered owner shall:
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (a) write the amended information on the application on the back of the Continuing Certificate of Registration, and date and sign the application form in ink;
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (b) submit the Continuing Certificate of Registration to the Minister; and

    • (c) retain, on board the aircraft, the Interim Certificate of Registration completed with the change(s), dated and signed.
      (amended 2000/06/01)

222.37 Provisional Registration

(amended 2000/06/01)

An application for the provisional registration of an aircraft shall meet the following requirements:
(amended 2000/06/01)

  • (a) the application provides
    (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (i) the name of the manufacturer of the aircraft, the manufacturer's model designation of the aircraft and the manufacturer's serial number of the aircraft,

    • (ii) a statement indicating whether the aircraft is new or used,

    • (iii) the proposed dates for the commencement and the completion of the importation ferry flight or the ferry flight,
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (iv) the destination of the importation ferry flight or the ferry flight, and
      (amended 2000/06/01)

    • (v) the name, address and telephone number of the owner;

  • (b) written notification is received by the Minister from the foreign civil aviation authority that the aircraft is not registered in that foreign state;
    (amended 2000/06/01)

  • (c) registration marks have been issued in respect of the aircraft in accordance with subsection 202.02(1); and
    (amended 2000/06/01)

  • (d) except in the case of an ultra-light aeroplane, the aircraft is eligible for a flight authority in accordance with Part V of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
    (amended 2000/06/01)

(amended 2005/12/01)