The Cape Town Treaty

• Print

The Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, and its Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment - November 16, 2001

As adopted in the United States by The Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004 - August 9, 2004 which:

• Recognizes the International Registry as an additional place for the filing of interests, including prospective interests, in certain airframes, helicopters, and aircraft engines.
• Establishes the right for owners of these aircraft to grant an Irrevocable De-Registration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) to a secured party.
• Reduces from 750 to 550 rated take-off shaft horsepower the size threshold for aircraft engines eligible to be recorded as collateral in security instruments.
• Establishes the Civil Aviation Registry as the Authorizing Entry Point.

The effective date of these changes is March 1, 2006.

Aircraft and Aircraft Engines Eligible for International Registry Recording:

• Airframes that are type certificated to transport:
  • At least eight (8) persons including crew; or
  • Goods in excess of 2750 kilograms (6050 pounds)
• Helicopters that are type certificated to transport:
  • At least five (5) persons including crew; or
  • Goods in excess of 450 kilograms (990 pounds)
• Jet propulsion aircraft engines with at least 1750 pounds of thrust or its equivalent.
• Turbine-powered or Piston-powered aircraft engines with at least 550 rated take-off horsepower or its equivalent.

Questions about the International Registry must be directed to:
The International Registry
https//www.internationalregistry.aero

The text of the Cape Town Treaty and the Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment are available at http://www.unidroit.org/english/conventions/mobile-equipment/main.htm

Registration of interests in eligible U.S. Aircraft and Aircraft Engines with the International Registry