What Is an Aircraft Ferry Flight? Permits and Hiring a Ferry Pilot

An aircraft ferry flight moves an aircraft without paying passengers or cargo. You need a permit only if the aircraft does not meet airworthiness rules but is safe to fly, or for certain special cases. You can hire a ferry pilot through specialist pilots or companies, or ask your broker, manager, or shop to arrange it.

What is an aircraft ferry flight?

A ferry flight moves an aircraft from one place to another with no paying passengers or cargo on board. Common reasons include delivery after a sale, export or import, flying to a maintenance, paint or interior shop, moving to storage, or returning the aircraft at the end of a lease. In charter, an empty flight that repositions a jet to the customer is usually called a positioning flight. If you mean that type of flight, see our guide to positioning flights. That is a different subject.

When is a ferry permit required?

If the aircraft is airworthy and its papers are current, a ferry flight in the United States is a normal flight. No special permit is needed for the aircraft itself. If the aircraft does not currently meet its airworthiness requirements but can still fly safely, the FAA can issue a special flight permit under 14 CFR 21.197. Many people call this a ferry permit.

The rule lists the allowed purposes. These include flying the aircraft to a base for repairs, alterations or maintenance, or to storage. It also covers delivery or export, production flight testing of new aircraft, evacuation from areas of impending danger, and customer demonstration flights in new production aircraft.

There is also a special case in 14 CFR 21.197(b). A special flight permit can allow a flight above the maximum certificated takeoff weight to extend range over water or over land with no adequate landing or fuel stops. The extra weight is limited to the added fuel, the fuel-carrying facilities such as ferry tanks, and navigation equipment needed for the flight. This is how small aircraft cross oceans on delivery.

How to get a special flight permit in the United States

14 CFR 21.199 explains what the applicant must give the FAA. You must state the purpose of the flight, the proposed itinerary, the crew required, the ways the aircraft does not meet the airworthiness requirements, and any restrictions needed for safe operation. The FAA may make, or require, inspections or tests before issuing the permit.

The application uses FAA Form 8130-6, Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate, or the FAA's online airworthiness certification portal. FAA guidance says the permit is issued by the Flight Standards District Office for the area where the flight starts, and that Designated Airworthiness Representatives can also issue them.

Europe: the EASA permit to fly

In Europe, the matching document is the EASA permit to fly, under Part 21 Subpart P (point 21.A.701). It is for aircraft that do not meet, or have not been shown to meet, the airworthiness requirements but are capable of safe flight under defined conditions. The flight conditions must be approved before the permit is issued.

Quick comparison

Situation	United States	Europe (EASA)
Aircraft does not meet airworthiness rules, but can fly safely	Special flight permit under 14 CFR 21.197	Permit to fly under Part 21 Subpart P (21.A.701), with approved flight conditions
Need extra range beyond normal limits	21.197(b) can allow flight above maximum takeoff weight for extra fuel, ferry tanks, and needed navigation equipment	Handled under permit to fly with defined conditions, as approved
Typical purposes	To repairs or maintenance, to storage, delivery or export, production testing, evacuation from danger, customer demo of new aircraft	For aircraft that do not meet, or have not been shown to meet, requirements but can fly safely under conditions

Cross-border paperwork and permits

A ferry flight across borders also needs normal international paperwork. Many countries require overflight and landing permits. For a quick primer, see our guide to overflight and landing permits. You also need to meet customs rules. For a private aircraft flying to the United States, the pilot must send the crew and passenger manifest to U.S. Customs and Border Protection no later than 60 minutes before departure, per 19 CFR 122.22.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority says ferry or delivery flights and positioning flights by foreign aircraft do not need a Foreign Carrier Permit.

Who arranges a ferry flight and how to hire a ferry pilot

You can hire specialist ferry pilots and ferry companies. Aircraft sales brokers, aircraft management companies, and maintenance shops often arrange a ferry flight for their clients. In a sale, the move usually comes after the pre-purchase inspection and the closing through escrow. If you are new to the sale process, read about a pre-purchase inspection and how aircraft escrow works. If you are ferrying to a maintenance, paint, or interior shop, this guide on how to choose an MRO can help you pick the right facility.

Pick a pilot with time on your aircraft type. If the route crosses an ocean, ask about that specific experience. The pilot should know the avionics and fuel system in your aircraft. For some flights, especially long range, the plan may call for temporary ferry tanks and extra navigation equipment. The pilot should be able to explain the setup and limits, and how it meets the permit conditions.

Insurance is another key step. Ask your insurer to confirm in writing that the pilot is covered before the flight. Clarify who will place the pilot on the policy and how long the coverage lasts. Agree in writing who handles permits, customs, and fuel.

Make sure you understand the quote. Ask if the price is fixed, or a day rate plus expenses. Ask what happens if weather delays the trip, or if a mechanical issue appears during the flight. Plan the handover. Decide who signs for the aircraft's condition at departure and arrival, and what photos and logs you expect.

Checklist to ask a provider

• How many hours do you have on this aircraft type, and on this route?
• Are you experienced with ocean crossings, if the route needs one?
• Will our insurer confirm in writing that you are covered?
• Who handles overflight permits, landing permits, and customs?
• Is the price fixed, or a day rate plus expenses?
• What happens in a weather or mechanical delay?
• Will you install ferry tanks or extra navigation gear, and who signs off?
• Who signs for the aircraft's condition at handover, and what records will you provide?

Sources: US 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199; FAA Form 8130-6; EASA Part 21 Subpart P; US 19 CFR 122.22; UK Civil Aviation Authority foreign carrier permit guidance.

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