Aircraft Registration and Nationality
Nationality and Marks
Under Chicago Article 17, aircraft have the nationality of the State of registry; under Article 18 an aircraft cannot be validly registered in more than one State, though transfer of registry is permitted. Brunei-registered aircraft carry the nationality mark V8, followed by the registration mark. Annex 7 governs marks: their placement, size and legibility, and the requirement for an identification plate. The certificate of registration is a document that must be carried and produced on demand.
The Register and Eligibility
Registration is a function of the Director. The register records the aircraft, owner, operator and any mortgage or lien. Eligibility normally turns on ownership, residence or principal place of business, or a lease arrangement approved by the Director. Changes of ownership, address, or the destruction/loss of the aircraft must be notified, and the certificate returned where required. Temporary registration and ferry permits may be available for specific purposes.
Traps and Rule of Thumb
Common traps: thinking registration equals airworthiness (it does not - the C of A is separate); believing an aircraft may hold two registrations (it may not); confusing the nationality mark with the registration mark; and forgetting that marks must be kept clean and visible, with a temporary alternative only where approved.
Worked example: A question presents an aircraft registered in Brunei and asks for the full marks. If the registration is ABC, the marks are V8-ABC - V8 is the nationality mark, ABC the registration mark.