For decades, I have been concerned about the fact that we have an owner-based aircraft registry system in the United States as it is too easy to learn who owns an aircraft and subsequently track it. I was always concerned it would take a tragic event before any changes were made. However, I was encouraged when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 mandated changes to allow for data privacy. The implementation of the mandated changes started on March 28, 2025.
On March 28, 2025, the FAA provided notice that it had implemented Section 803 (Data Privacy) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 through changes made in the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES). Private aircraft owners can now electronically request that the FAA withhold their private aircraft registration information from public view on public FAA sources and websites for noncommercial flights. This private information includes name, address, email address and telephone number that are usually included on the aircraft registration application.
To complete this request, aircraft owners will need to establish an account on the CARES website. The website is https://cares.faa.gov/home. On the home screen there is an orange banner that describes the new privacy feature and step-by-step instructions are available.
This article by Amanda Applegate was originally published by Soar Aviation Law.