FAA Form 8050-2 is the federal document that legally transfers aircraft ownership from one party to another. Without it, a sale isn't complete in the eyes of the FAA — and the previous owner remains on record regardless of what money changed hands.
Getting this form right matters. A single error — a name that doesn't match the registry, a missing signature, a wrong serial number — will get your paperwork returned from Oklahoma City, delaying the transfer by weeks.
This guide covers exactly how to fill it out, field by field.
What Is FAA Form 8050-2?
Form 8050-2 is the Aircraft Bill of Sale. It's a one-page federal form that certifies the seller is transferring ownership of a specific aircraft to a specific buyer on a specific date.
The form is filed with the FAA Civil Aviation Registry in Oklahoma City, typically alongside Form 8050-1 (the buyer's registration application). The two forms are submitted together as a package.
You can download a blank Form 8050-2 from the FAA website, but most people find it easier to use a tool that auto-populates it from the FAA registry — more on that below.
How to Fill Out Form 8050-2: Field by Field
Box 1: Aircraft Nationality and Registration Mark (N-Number)
Enter the aircraft's full N-number exactly as it appears in the FAA registry. Include the "N" prefix.
Example: N172SP — not 172SP, not N-172SP.
Box 2: Aircraft Make and Model
Enter the manufacturer name and model exactly as it appears in the FAA registry. This matters.
- Correct: CESSNA / 172S
- Wrong: Cessna / Skyhawk
Pull the exact make and model from registry.faa.gov before filling this out.
Box 3: Year Built
The four-digit manufacture year, not the year of purchase or most recent annual.
Box 4: Aircraft Serial Number
Copy this character for character from the FAA registry or from the aircraft's data plate. A single digit off and the FAA will reject the form.
Box 5: Registered Owner
This is the most commonly wrong field. Enter the seller's name exactly as it appears in the FAA registry. Every character, including middle initials, suffixes (Jr., LLC), and punctuation must match precisely.
If the aircraft is owned by an LLC or corporation, the entity name must match the FAA registration exactly.
To find the exact registered owner name, search the N-number at registry.faa.gov and look at the "Registered Owner" field.
Box 6: Purchaser (Buyer)
The buyer's full legal name and address. If the buyer is purchasing through an LLC or corporation, use the exact legal entity name as it will appear on the new FAA registration.
Box 7: Consideration (Purchase Price)
The agreed-upon purchase price. Enter the dollar amount. If the aircraft is being gifted or transferred for non-monetary consideration, write "Gift" or describe the consideration accurately.
Box 8: Date of Sale
The date of the actual transaction. This should match the sale date on any purchase agreement you have with the buyer.
Box 9: Signature
The seller must sign in original ink. Photocopies, electronic signatures, and typed names in the signature block are not accepted by the FAA for Form 8050-2.
If the aircraft is owned by an LLC or corporation, an authorized officer must sign and print their title (e.g., "Managing Member," "President").
What Happens After You Fill It Out
Form 8050-2 is submitted to the FAA together with Form 8050-1 (the buyer's registration application) and the $5 registration fee. The package goes to:
FAA Civil Aviation Registry P.O. Box 25504 Oklahoma City, OK 73125
The FAA typically processes the transfer within 3–5 weeks. During that window, the buyer should carry a pink copy of Form 8050-1 as a temporary registration authorization.
Common Rejection Reasons
Seller name doesn't match FAA registry This is the top rejection reason by far. The registry might show "JOHN A SMITH" and the form says "John Smith." They won't match. Always copy the name directly from the registry.
Photocopied or electronic signature Only original wet ink signatures are accepted on Form 8050-2. If you printed the form and signed it with a pen, you're fine. If you're trying to use DocuSign or a scanned signature, the FAA will return it.
Missing serial number or N-number Both must be present and accurate. The serial number is on the aircraft's data plate, typically on the firewall or door frame.
Form submitted alone without Form 8050-1 Both forms and the $5 fee should be submitted together. Sending the Bill of Sale without the Registration Application creates a processing gap.
Erasures or white-out corrections The FAA does not accept forms with correction fluid or crossed-out entries. If you make an error, print a fresh form.
Can Aeradex Fill Out Form 8050-2 For Me?
Yes. When you start a title transfer at aeradex.com/hangar/transfer, Aeradex automatically:
- Pulls the aircraft data from the FAA registry by N-number
- Populates the make, model, year, serial number, and registered owner name exactly as the FAA has them on file
- Flags any discrepancy between the seller name you enter and the FAA registry name before you submit
- Generates a completed, print-ready Form 8050-2 PDF
The form is emailed to both parties after the seller confirms the transfer with a single click. No manual entry, no name mismatch risk.
Title transfers are free with an Aeradex Pro subscription ($175/year) or $149 as a standalone service.
Auto-Fill Your Form 8050-2 →
Form 8050-2 vs. Form 8050-1: What's the Difference?
| | Form 8050-2 | Form 8050-1 | |---|---|---| | Who fills it out | Seller | Buyer | | What it does | Transfers ownership | Registers new owner | | Signature required | Seller (original ink) | Buyer | | Fee | None | $5 | | Also called | Aircraft Bill of Sale | Aircraft Registration Application |
Both must be submitted together to complete a legal title transfer.
Before You Transfer: Run a Pre-Purchase Report
Before completing any aircraft sale, it's worth running a basic due diligence check. Aeradex pre-purchase reports pull the aircraft's FAA registration history, applicable airworthiness directives, and any maintenance records in the Aeradex system — for $9.99, or free with your first report.
Run a Free Pre-Purchase Report →