FAQs | Aeronautics | NH Department of Transportation

Aeronautics, Rail and Transit > Aeronautics > Frequently Asked Questions

The Bureau of Areonautics offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions regarding registrations received by our office. Any links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our Web site or from other sources. Should you have any further questions, please contact Karla Lutz at Karla.J.Lutz@dot.nh.gov

Aircraft Registrations What are the requirements for registering an aircraft with the State of New Hampshire? What is the process to register my newly purchased aircraft? How much are the registration fees? How much time after I purchase an aircraft do I have in which to register it? Do I pay the registration fees every year? If so, when are they due? Can I pay my registration fees on-line or by credit card? Where do I send my registration forms and payments? Am I required to pay any fees to the city or town that I live in? I bought my new aircraft out of state, when must I register it? Upon its arrival into New Hampshire or immediately upon purchase? I am a NH resident, but my aircraft is based out of state. Do I still have to register it with the State of New Hampshire? I am an out of state resident, but my aircraft is based in New Hampshire. Am I required to register it with the state? I have just sold my aircraft, must I contact you or will the FAA notify you? My aircraft is not airworthy, must I still register it? I am conducting commercial operations with my aircraft. Are there any registration or insurance requirements for my business? Am I required to carry insurance on my aircraft? I am in the business of selling aircraft. Are there any registration requirements to meet with the state? I have recently moved, how do I notify you of my change of address? Commercial Aviation Operators Registrations What is a New Hampshire Commercial Aviation Operator and what are the requirements for registering? How much are the registration fees? Do I pay the registration fees every year? And if so, when are they due? Can I pay my registration fees online or by credit card? Where do I send my registration forms and payments? I am an out of state resident, but my business is located in New Hampshire. Am I required to register it with the state? Are there any insurance requirements for my business? Am I required to carry insurance on my aircraft? Aircraft Dealer Registrations I am in the business of selling aircraft. Are there any state registration requirements to meet? What are the requirements for registering as an aircraft dealer? How much are the registration fees? Do I pay the registration fees every year? And if so, when are they due? Can I pay my registration fees online or by credit card? Where do I send my registration forms and payments? Am I required to register a non-airworthy aircraft, which is currently for sale, as a dealer aircraft? Are there any insurance requirements for my dealership?
Aircraft Registration FAQs:
What are the requirements for registering an aircraft with the State of New Hampshire? All New Hampshire residents are required to register their aircraft within 10 days of the date of purchase and must maintain a current registration on it at all times regardless of whether the aircraft is airworthy or physically located in New Hampshire. Additionally, any aircraft owned by a non-resident that is based in New Hampshire for more than 90 days in one year must be registered.
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What is the process to register my newly purchased aircraft? You may contact our office by phone at 603-271-1456, by e-mail to Karla.J.Lutz@dot.nh.gov, or by notifying us in writing by submitting a NH Aircraft Registration Pre-Applicationform. These forms can also be found at any of our open to the public airports. The Bureau will calculate the fees due to register and send you the Application for Aircraft Registration form. Once the signed application form and payment of your fees are received, you will be issued a registration certificate that must be carried inside the aircraft at all times and a decal that must be displayed on the aircraft. Please note: Do not remit a payment with the pre-application form. Upon receipt of your pre-application form, our office will compute your registration fees and notify you as to the amount owed.
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How much are the registration fees? The registration fees will be determined by the Bureau of Aeronautics based on when the aircraft came into the state due to the recent change in the regulations regarding the aircraft fees. New Aircraft purchased or brought into NH on or after July 1, 2018: A new registration of aircraft purchased or brought into NH on or after July 1, 2018 will be assessed a registration fee based on the revised RSA 422:31 III. An aircraft operating fee will be $100 for an antique, glider or experimental aircraft. The amount of the fee for all other aircraft shall be based on the maximum certified gross weight of the aircraft as follows: 0 - 3,000 lbs. $ 100 3,001 - 8,000 lbs. $ 250 8,001 - 12,500 lbs. $2,500 more than 12,500 lbs. $3,500 Aircraft brought into NH prior to July 1, 2018: A new registration of aircraft that was purchased or brought into NH prior to July 1, 2018, will be subject to the old rates. The Bureau of Aeronautics will determine the appropriate fees that are due based on a formula using a combination of mill-rate and gross weight, as well as a registration fee.
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How much time after I purchase an aircraft do I have in which to register it? All New Hampshire residents are required to register their aircraft within 10 days of the date of purchase and must maintain a current registration on it at all times.
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Do I pay the registration fees every year? If so, when are they due? Aircraft registration must be renewed on an annual basis. The Bureau of Aeronautics mails renewal forms six (6) weeks prior to the expiration of the certificate. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact us if the renewal form is not received. All aircraft registrations being renewed after January 1, 2019 will be at the revised rates per RSA 422:31 III. The dates for registration are based on the first numeral of the N-number, not the calendar year. N# Registration Effective Dates 1 January 1 to December 31 2 February 1 to January 31 3 March 1 to February 28 4 April 1 to March 31 5 May 1 to April 30 6 June 1 to May 31 7 July 1 to June 30 8 August 1 to July 31 9 September 1 to August 31
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Can I pay my registration fees on-line or by credit card? No, unfortunately the ability to make payments on-line or by credit card is not available at this time. Payments must be submitted by check or money order. All checks should be made payable to “Treasurer, State of New Hampshire”.
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Where do I send my registration forms and payments? Our mailing address is: New Hampshire Dept. of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics PO Box 483 Concord, NH 03302-0483 Registration contacts: Danielle R. P. Hutchinson, Aeronautics Program Supervisor 603-271-1094 or Danielle.R. Hutchinson@dot.nh.gov Karla Lutz, Aeronautics Program Assistant II 603-271-1456 or Karla.J.Lutz@dot.nh.gov
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Am I required to pay any fees to the city or town that I live in? No, the registration fees are collected solely by our office. We distribute a portion of the fees paid to the public-use airport that you base your aircraft at. These funds are used by the airports to maintain and improve their airfields.
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I bought my new aircraft out of state, when must I register it? Upon its arrival into New Hampshire or immediately upon purchase? As a NH resident, you have 10 days from the date of the purchase in which to register your aircraft. Regardless of where it is currently located, or how long it may be out of state.
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I am a NH resident, but my aircraft is based out of state. Do I still have to register it with the State of New Hampshire? Yes, however, if you are required to pay a registration fee or comparable fee to the state in which your aircraft is based, you may eligible to apply for a Resident Waiver of your New Hampshire registration fees. You may request a waiver by submitting a Resident Waiver application form along with proof of payment of registration fees to the other state. Please note, a Resident Waiver must be renewed each year. Most other states do have a registration fee or a comparable fee structure, however, a few do not. If your aircraft is based in one of the following states you may not be eligible for a Resident waiver. Those states are: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Maine , Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wyoming.
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I am an out of state resident, but my aircraft is based in New Hampshire. Am I required to register it with the state? Yes, if your aircraft is based within the State of New Hampshire for more than 90 days cumulatively in one year or your business is involved in air commerce.
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I have just sold my aircraft, must I contact you or will the FAA notify you? It is your sole responsibility to inform us and it must be done so in writing. Aircraft registrations are not transferrable.
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My aircraft is not airworthy, must I still register it? Yes, however, if the aircraft is not in an airworthy condition you may apply for an Unflyable Waiver of the registration fees. You may request a waiver by submitting an Unflyable Waiver application form and required documentation to describe its unairworthiness.
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I am conducting commercial operations with my aircraft. Are there any registration or insurance requirements for my business? Yes, you must register as a Commercial Aviation Operator if you are conducting any aviation related activities for compensation or hire at any of New Hampshire’s registered commercial-use airports. The annual registration fee is $48.00 and must be renewed every year by January 1st. Please refer to the NH Commercial Aviation Operator Registration page for further information.
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Am I required to carry insurance on my aircraft? New Hampshire law does not require you to carry insurance. However, if you are conducting any flight training, you are required to disclose to any and all customers in writing as to whether or not you have insurance. If you do carry insurance, you must list the terms and limitations of the coverage in effect on the declarations page of your insurance policy. In addition, a number of New Hampshire’s open to the public airports may require a minimum insurance policy in order to operate from their airfield. For further information on a particular airport, please contact the airport management staff.
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I am in the business of selling aircraft. Are there any registration requirements to meet with the state? Yes, any aircraft you currently have for sale must be registered. However, NH has a dealer registration that covers all the aircraft you have on inventory throughout the year at a flat-fee rate. By NH law, the aircraft can be flown for ferrying flights or demonstration purposes only. Please refer to the Aircraft Dealer Registration page for more information.
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I have recently moved, how do I notify you of my change of address? You must notify this office in writing of your new address. You are also required to notify the FAA of your new address.
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Commercial Aviation Operators FAQs
What is a New Hampshire Commercial Aviation Operator and what are the requirements for registering? Commercial aviation operator means any person, who in any capacity engages in one or more aeronautical activities for compensation or hire within the boundaries of an airport. Aeronautical activities include, but are not limited to carriage of persons or property; flight training; instruction; construction, sale, repair, maintenance, modification, or storage of aircraft, aircraft fuel or aircraft parts; or rendering other aviation services for compensation. Submit an application and pay an annual fee.
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How much are the registration fees? The registration fee is $48.00 per year.
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Do I pay the registration fees every year? And if so, when are they due? Yes, your registration must be renewed annually by January 1st.
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Can I pay my registration fees online or by credit card? Unfortunately the ability to make payments online or by credit card is not available at this time. Please submit payments by check or money order. All checks should be made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire."
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Where do I send my registration forms and payments? Our mailing address is: New Hampshire Dept. of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics PO Box 483 Concord, NH 03302-0483
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I am an out of state resident, but my business is located in New Hampshire. Am I required to register it with the state? Yes, the business must be registered as a NH Commercial Aviation Operator. Additionally, all aircraft that will be used commercially by the business must be registered with the State of New Hampshire.
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Are there any insurance requirements for my business? Am I required to carry insurance on my aircraft? New Hampshire law does not require you to carry any insurance on your business or on your aircraft. However, if you are conducting any flight training, you are required to disclose to all your customers in writing as to whether or not you have insurance. If you do carry insurance, you must list the terms and limitations of the coverage in effect on the declarations page of your insurance policy. In addition, a number of New Hampshire’s public-use airports may require a minimum insurance policy in order to operate from their airfield. For further information on a particular airport, please contact that airport's management staff.
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Aircraft Dealer FAQs
I am in the business of selling aircraft. Are there any state registration requirements to meet? Yes, any aircraft you currently have for sale must be registered with the state. However, for a flat fee, New Hampshire has a dealer registration that covers all the aircraft you have on inventory throughout the current calendar year. It is important to note that: All dealer aircraft can only be flown for demonstration purposes. If the aircraft is operated for any other reason, the full registration fees will be due.
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What are the requirements for registering as an aircraft dealer? In order to register as an aircraft dealer you shall: Possess a currently effective state registration as a commercial aviation operator; and Own or lease sufficient space to park or hangar at least 2 aircraft at a registered commercial-use airport within the state; and Obtain permission from the airport management to operate from their airfield before conducting any business transactions; and Have a certificate of authority from the New Hampshire Secretary of State to do business within the State of New Hampshire. For additional information, please refer to the New Hampshire Aircraft Dealer Requirements.
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How much are the registration fees? The registration fee is $350.00 per year. This includes the registration of the dealership and all aircraft you currently have on stock or any you may add through out the calendar year. A New Hampshire Commercial Operator Registration is also required and the fee is $48.00 a year.
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Do I pay the registration fees every year? And if so, when are they due? Yes, your Aircraft Dealer registration must be renewed annually by January 1st.
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Can I pay my registration fees online or by credit card? Unfortunately the ability to make payments online or by credit card is not available at this time. Please submit payments by check or money order. All checks should be made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire."
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Where do I send my registration forms and payments? Our mailing address is: New Hampshire Dept. of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics PO Box 483 Concord, NH 03302-0483
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Am I required to register a non-airworthy aircraft, which is currently for sale, as a dealer aircraft? Yes, unlike a motor vehicle or boat, all non-airworthy aircraft must be registered with the state. Unflyable aircraft that are up for sale may be included in your Aircraft Dealer registration.
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Are there any insurance requirements for my dealership? New Hampshire law does not require you to carry insurance. However, a number of New Hampshire’s open to the public airports may require a minimum insurance policy in order to operate from their airfield. For further information on a particular airport, please contact that airport's management staff.
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