How to Transfer Aircraft Title in Alaska

Complete guide to transferring aircraft title in Alaska. FAA requirements, bush flying considerations, and how Aeradex simplifies the process for $99.

How to Transfer Aircraft Title in Alaska

Alaska has more pilots per capita than any other state — roughly 1 in 58 Alaskans holds a pilot certificate. Aircraft are not a hobby here; they're transportation. If you're buying or selling a floatplane in Ketchikan, a bush plane in Fairbanks, or a wheel-ski aircraft in Anchorage, this guide covers everything you need to know about transferring title.

FAA Is the Only Authority

Alaska has no state-level aircraft registration. All transfers go through the FAA Civil Aviation Registry in Oklahoma City regardless of where in Alaska the sale takes place — including remote villages only accessible by air.

What You'll Need

  • FAA Form 8050-2 (Bill of Sale) — seller completes and signs
  • FAA Form 8050-1 (Aircraft Registration Application) — buyer completes
  • $5 FAA registration fee
  • Lien release documentation if applicable
  • Pre-purchase inspection records (especially important for bush aircraft)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Search the FAA registry. Confirm clear title at registry.faa.gov. For bush aircraft that have changed hands informally over the years, this step is especially important — title chains can get complicated.

Step 2: Get a pre-purchase inspection. In Alaska more than anywhere else, know what you're buying. Bush flying puts extraordinary stress on airframes and engines. An A&P mechanic familiar with Alaskan operations should inspect any aircraft before purchase.

Step 3: Complete the Bill of Sale. Seller fills out FAA Form 8050-2 with N-number, make, model, serial number, and buyer's legal name.

Step 4: Submit registration. Buyer mails Form 8050-1, the signed Bill of Sale, and $5 to the FAA Registry. Even in Alaska's most remote locations, this is a standard mail process.

Step 5: Carry the pink copy. The temporary registration pink copy must be in the aircraft until the permanent certificate arrives.

Special Alaska Considerations

Floatplanes and amphibians have the same registration process as land planes but may have additional equipment requirements under Alaska state law for water operations.

Bush modifications — STOL kits, tundra tires, extended fuel tanks — should all be documented in the aircraft logbooks. Verify all STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates) are properly documented before purchase.

Remote transactions — many Alaskan aircraft sales happen far from any notary or office. Aeradex's digital e-signature process is designed to handle exactly this scenario.

How Much Does It Cost?

FAA fee: $5. Full-service providers charge $150–400. Aeradex charges $99, or free with Pro.

Alaska Aviation at a Glance

Alaska has over 700 airports, seaplane bases, and heliports — more than any other state. Ted Stevens Anchorage International (PANC) is the hub, but the true heart of Alaskan aviation is the network of bush strips, gravel bars, and floatplane bases that connect communities unreachable by road.

Transfer Your Aircraft Title with Aeradex

Aeradex handles the complete title transfer process digitally — no printing, no mailing forms, no office visits. Start your title transfer →