In the realm of aviation, the Special Flight Permit, often known as a Ferry Permit, fills a crucial niche, allowing U.S. registered aircraft that do not meet Airworthiness Requirements to undertake flights under specific conditions. This instrument is vital for situations that range from ferrying an aircraft to a repair base, to delivering or exporting aircraft, and even evacuating aircraft from dangerous areas. Issued by the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or International Field Office (IFO) with jurisdiction over the area from which the flight will originate (excluding those under parts 121 or 135 certificates), this permit establishes clear operational parameters despite the aircraft's temporary non-compliance with standard airworthiness mandates. An important note is that these permits are not a loop to bypass regulations laid out in 14 CFR Part 91; rather, they serve as a carefully controlled mechanism to ensure flights that might otherwise be grounded, can proceed safely and legally to their necessary destinations for repair, maintenance, testing, or inspection. Applicants must prepare a detailed submission, including the purpose and itinerary of the flight, crew details, and specific aspects of non-compliance with airworthiness requirements, providing a comprehensive overview for authorities to evaluate. Furthermore, essential documentation - such as the aircraft’s Airworthiness Certificate, registration, and logbooks - must accompany the application to facilitate a thorough assessment and validation of the aircraft's condition and readiness for the proposed flight. Updated as of June 12, 2020, these procedures underscore the meticulous approach taken to ensure that such permits are granted only when the aircraft's safety for intended operations is adequately substantiated.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Special Flight Permits Form |
| Form Length | 2 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 30 sec |
| Other names | special flight permits form, faa ferry flight permit, ferry permits, flying permit |
Special Flight Permits
A Special Flight Permit (commonly referred to as a Ferry Permit) may be issued to any U.S. registered aircraft that may not currently meet applicable Airworthiness Requirements but is capable for safe flight.
Note: 1.) A Special Flight Permit is not an authorization to deviate from the requirements of 14 CFR Part 91.
2.) Special Flight Permits will be issued by the FSDO/IFO having jurisdiction over the geographical area in which the flight is to originate, this does not apply to 121 or 135 certificate holders.
3.) If an AD requires compliance before further flight and does not have a provision for issuance of a Special Flight Permits, the operation of the aircraft to which it applies would not be appropriate, and a Special Flight Permit will not be issued.
The following is not all inclusive (refer to 14 CFR Part 21.197), but lists the most common request for Special Flight Permits.
1.) Flying the aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations, or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of salvage.
2.) Flying an aircraft whose annual inspection has expired to a base where an annual inspection can be accomplished.
3.) Flying an amateur built aircraft whose condition inspection has expired to a base where the condition inspection can be accomplished.
4.) Delivering or exporting the aircraft.
5.) Production flight testing of new production aircraft.
6.) Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger.
7.) Conducting customer demonstration flights in a new production aircraft that have satisfactory completed production flight tests.
8.) To authorize the operation of an aircraft at a weight in excess of its maximum certificated takeoff weight.
An applicant for a Special Flight Permit must submit a statement in a form (FAA- Form
1.) Purpose of the flight.
2.) Proposed itinerary.
3.) Essential crew required to operate the aircraft.
4.) The ways, if any, in which the aircraft does not comply with the applicable airworthiness requirements.
5.) Any other information, requested by the Administrator, considered necessary for the purpose of prescribing operating limitations.
Last Updated: June 12, 2020
Fill out sections II, VII and sign. Fax the completed form to the Harrisburg Flight Standards District Office at
Additional Items requested by the FSDO to be faxed along with the application Form
1.) A current copy of the aircraft Airworthiness Certificate.
2.) A current copy of the aircraft Registration.
3.) A current copy of the front page of the aircraft and engine/s log book, with all entries completed, (i.e. Aircraft / Engine/s / Propeller/s Manufacture, Model, serial number, etc.).
4.) A current copy of the Aircraft/Engine/Propeller/Appliance AD compliance status.
5.) A copy of the last Aircraft Log Book entry, stating that this aircraft has been inspected and is in a safe condition to fly/ferry and that all applicable AD's have been complied with and or a listing of the AD's that have not been complied with, signed by an FAA certificated, A&P Mechanic or Part 145 Repair Station.
6.) The Administrator may request to inspect the aircraft, in question, before approving or issuing a Ferry Flight Permit.
The Administrator may require the applicant to make appropriate inspections or test necessary for safety. (This means an FAA certificated Airframe and Power Mechanic or Part 145 Repair Station will need to inspect the aircraft prior to flight).
At the request of the applicant, the Ferry Permit may be transmitted via FAX. The aircraft operator must display, in the aircraft, the current Airworthiness Certificate and the Special Flight (Ferry) Permit along with its operating limitations.
For additional information, please refer to 14 CFR Part 21.197 or your
local FSDO.
If you reside in the HHarrisburg District Office area, call the Harrisburg Flight Standards District Office at
Reference: FAA Order 8130.2H, Chapters 4, Section 13; and Chapter 8, paragraph 801.
Last Updated: June 12, 2020