Aircraft Registration in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI), offers aircraft registration and certification services to aircraft registered in the Cayman Islands, whether based locally or overseas. Established under UK legislation, the CAACI is responsible for both the safety and economic regulation of the Cayman aviation industry, including aircraft registered on the CIAR.

To register an aircraft, applicants must meet CAACI’s eligibility criteria and all registrants must submit due diligence documentation in compliance with international Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and will be required to comply with recurrent due diligence updates.

Financiers and lessors can register their interests on the Cayman Islands Aircraft Mortgage Register, which is governed by the Mortgaging of Aircraft Regulations (2015). The Cape Town Convention, effective in the Cayman Islands since November 1, 2015, also enables the filing of instruments such as the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) and Consent to Deregister.

All applications, certifications, and ongoing authorisations are processed through VP-C Online, a secure, purpose-built digital document management portal. CAACI continues to enhance VP-C Online with bespoke modules being developed, for example, customized modules for lessors/aircraft financiers, and maintenance organisations, to support niche market growth.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands ‐ a UK Overseas Territory

• For aviation matters, the Cayman Islands falls under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom as the responsible State to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
• Air Safety Support International (ASSI) - a subsidiary company of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, has been established by the UK's Department for Transport, to help development of regulatory oversight in the UK Overseas Territories. (Information on ASSI: www.airsafety.aero)
• Authority for aviation oversight is delegated to each of the appointed Governors of the UK Overseas Territories and subsequently maybe delegated to each Director of Civil Aviation or to ASSI.
• The UK Department for Transport (DfT), through the Secretary of State, required Air Safety Support International (ASSI) to develop a set of Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTARs) to implement the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in the Annexes to the Chicago Convention. There Requirements are gazette in the UK OTs.
• There are additional significant advantages offered by the OTARs code, which they apply to benefit Applicants.
• Based in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, the CAACI is led by their Director‐General, Mr. Richard Smith.
• Their Head Office administers all of the regulatory responsibilities including that of Financial, Aircraft Registration and Administrative governance.
• The Air Safety Regulation Department is equipped to manage the functions of the aircraft register, including oversight of operations, continuing airworthiness, and maintenance. Specialist Inspectors are supported by Technical Officers who monitor and process applications for registration, airworthiness, and operations.
• The CAACI primarily employs full-time personnel with substantial expertise in aviation regulation. Technical inspectors are also strategically based globally to support international operations, for example, in the UK, Europe & Canada. Together with their Head Office team, they form a cohesive and efficient unit where in-house decision-making is of paramount importance.
• As a client of the CAACI, you will always be in contact with a CAACI team member.

VP‐C Online

• This is an online data management portal to their regulatory authority providing an ability for an aircraft operator, maintenance organisation or other key stakeholders to the aircraft registration process to manage applications, securely submit supporting technical documents and download certificates and approvals 24/7/365.
  Certificates and Approvals are digitised and can be downloaded by the secure login features.
  VP‐C online brings the Authority closer to its industry partners facilitating productive outcomes to required Approvals.
• Looking ahead, the CAACI are refining the VP-C Online platform to retain existing functionality while introducing additional modules and expanded features.

ICAO Article 83bis

• An Article 83 bis agreement, once ratified between two ICAO Member States, establishes a legal mechanism by which the State of Registry can transfer specific regulatory oversight responsibilities to the State of Operator. This facilitates the management of aircraft that are operated and physically located in a different State.
• The Cayman Islands has a long‐Standing ICAO Article 83bis Agreement with Saudi Arabia.
• The CAACI–GACA 83bis Agreement represents a modern, fully ICAO-compliant model that provides registered owners with confidence through the CAACI’s continued regulatory oversight of aircraft certification and continuing airworthiness.
• With extensive experience collaborating at senior levels within other State Aviation Authorities, the CAACI provides Operators and Lessors of Cayman Islands-registered aircraft operating under Article 83 bis with considerable assurance in the effective administration of the agreement, facilitated by regular face-to-face engagement with the National Aviation Authority of the State of Operator.

NAA MoU’s

• The CAACI places strong emphasis on establishing formal collaborative arrangements with other National Aviation Authorities. These relationships are vital in ensuring reliable and supportive outcomes across a broad range of issues, enabling the CAACI to engage effectively with key authorities such as the U.S. FAA and EASA
• For mutual benefit, the CAACI established several MoU’s with the US FAA in agreement for the operation of Cayman Islands registered aircraft to operate commercially under US FAA AOCs. Indeed, in working with the FAA they were the first Register to secure a foreign registered aircraft in Operation FAR 135 < 9 seats. This required full support from the FAA, where the policy was developed.
• To date they have had several MoUs with EASA and the US FAA.
• In the spirit of supporting the industry, we are committed to offering and exploring operational solutions by leveraging our strong relationships with the three major NAAs we collaborate with.
• MoUs are often an efficient solution to meeting the needs of an urgent operational matter.

Off Shore AOC

• Through the Cayman Islands Government, the CAACI has established a robust legal infrastructure enabling the CAACI to issue an AOC where the operational control is located offshore.
• The enabling framework is an economic free zone managed by Cayman Enterprise City, which oversees entity incorporation and provides the legal foundation for the CAACI’s aviation operations.

Regulation for the issuance of an AOC.

• This robust platform, designed to withstand international scrutiny, offers an ideal solution for operators seeking to benefit from the CAACI’s service delivery and its commitment to fostering a strong safety partnership.
• They recognise opportunities for ACMI type operations, where equipment can be readily introduced in operation. They are committed to collaborative, solution-oriented outcomes, especially in scenarios where conventional approaches may fall short.

CAACI and Lessors

• The CAACI recognises the vital role of aircraft lessors, as many of their clients involved in aircraft ownership and operations rely heavily on leasing arrangements. They are committed to fostering these valuable relationships through collaborative engagement and a deep understanding of the industry's interdependencies.
• The CAACI strives to be a leader and be innovative in its approach to aviation safety regulation. They have introduced dedicated processes, online portals, and bespoke solutions, specifically designed to support the needs and interests of Lessors.
• The CAACI is keen to establish long term relationships with Lessors, offering streamlined solutions for aircraft registration with a strong focus on support that extends well beyond the initial registration process.
• The CAACI is not offering a parking register, these are widely available. Instead, they provide a dedicated Transition Register, supported by highly experienced full‐time personnel, focused on facilitating the placement of aircraft with new lessees across multiple jurisdictions.

Transition Register

• The CAACI has long taken a particular interest in the demands and challenges faced by Lessors. Their extensive experience includes managing numerous projects, from returning aircraft to service under complex circumstances, to facilitating rapid registration transfers.
• The CAACI solidified its commitment to the Transition Aircraft Sector by introducing VQ-C registration marks specifically for transition aircraft, along with a dedicated module within VP-C Online designed to manage them effectively.
• They believe that they can offer Lessors far more than a place to park an aircraft, their focus is not the registration, but the deregistration activity. From the outset they focus on the objective of returning the aircraft to a new lessee, in whatever jurisdiction they require (sanctions permitting).
• From the outset of aircraft registration, they implement a tailored oversight program to ensure all parties are fully aware of the necessary steps to obtain the Certificate of Airworthiness (Export) as required. They proactively manage aircraft to prevent prolonged parking without proper oversight, avoiding costly repairs caused by neglect. Their highly experienced in-house team works cohesively, ensuring continuity so that new inspectors do not need to restart the process. They also maintain close collaboration with industry partners, including CAMOs.

Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO)

• Their advanced IT record management system allows for cost effective, activity-based oversight. They grant Approval privileges to CAMOs to support the generation of essential airworthiness status reports for aircraft in storage, and those arriving from jurisdictions where obtaining export documentation is challenging.
• They pride themselves in being able to offer Export C of A’s in multiple Certification environments where to date they have not received any importing difficulties. Indeed, they will offer continued support post Export where the importing Authority requires such.

Relationships matter

• Amid the current environment of aircraft returns, they have successfully facilitated the relocation of numerous aircraft from multiple jurisdictions. Their approach in working with Approved Ferry Flight and Airworthiness Management Organisations has been crucial in achieving these positive outcomes.
• They manage Transition Aircraft through a Service Level Agreement established with the Lessor. This clearly defines their service commitments and outlines fees that are largely fixed.
• They continuously refine their approach to managing Transition Aircraft, recognising that being innovative, proactive and solution driven is not only rewarding, but also provides constructive outcomes to adverse circumstances.

Source: Civil Aviation Authority.
Email: civil.aviation@caacayman.com for more information.

A really easy to follow page on registering an aircraft in the Cayman Islands and what you need to know, was written by Mark Santangeli, a Partner at Ogier. Additional info is also listed below or you can email the Civil Aviation Authority and request more information: civil.aviation@caacayman.com or visit www.caacayman.com/aircraft-registry