NCAA PPL Operational Procedures: Airworthiness and Aircraft Registration/Import Requirements

Registration and airworthiness are separate

Registration identifies the aircraft; the certificate of airworthiness (C of A) certifies its airworthiness. Nigerian-registered aircraft carry the nationality mark 5N- followed by the registration letters. Registration requires an eligible owner or operator and acceptable evidence of title. The C of A requires type acceptance, inspection and continuing maintenance.

Import sequence

1. Pre-import application and type acceptance with the NCAA.
2. Export C of A from the state of export, plus logbooks, modification records and AD/SB status.
3. Customs clearance and NCAA inspection.
4. Registration and issue of a Nigerian C of A or validation.
5. Radio station licence, insurance and maintenance release before flight.

Worked example

A used Cessna arrives with a foreign C of A and foreign marks. Can it be flown locally on that basis? No. It must be registered as 5N- and issued a Nigerian C of A, or hold a valid validation, before flight. The export C of A supports the import but does not replace the Nigerian certificate. Reasoning: airworthiness certification is state-specific; the importing state must satisfy itself that the aircraft meets its requirements.

Traps that cost marks

• Flying after import on foreign marks or a foreign C of A.
• Treating the C of A as permanent; it has validity and depends on continuing maintenance.
• Missing the radio station licence or insurance.
• Fitting unapproved modifications without NCAA acceptance.
• Assuming an export C of A is automatically convertible into a Nigerian C of A.