Sep 2019
I INTRODUCTION
Bermuda is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. As such, the Register of Aircraft is governed by a UK statute, the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013 (ANOTO). Air Safety Support International, a wholly owned subsidiary company of the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom, acts as the oversight regulatory body for the Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom in relation to aviation matters.
II LOCAL REGISTRATION
i The regulator
Most matters relating to aviation are dealt with by the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority in Bermuda (BCAA), which is a government quango with a statutorily appointed board of directors responsible for the performance of the BCAA in accordance with applicable law. The functions of the BCAA include all issues relating to the licensing, certification and regulation of aircraft, flight crew and aerodromes, together with air navigation services, aviation security, management of the Bermuda Air Terminal, participation in the operation of the Bermuda International Airport and all matters concerning the economic regulation of air transport and the development of air services. The BCAA is ranked as a Category 1 Aviation Regulatory Authority by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The BCAA is subject to the Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTARs) which are similar to those of the EASA, the FAA and Transport Canada and are based on ICAO standards.
ii Registration of aircraft
Aircraft can be registered in Bermuda in either the private or the commercial transport category.1 Aircraft can only be registered in the commercial category where the aircraft is to be operated in a jurisdiction with which Bermuda has an agreement under Article 83 bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago, 1944) (the Chicago Convention) to which the United Kingdom (representing Bermuda) is party. Under Article 83 bis agreements, certain functions and duties normally carried out by a state of registry are transferred to an operator’s state. The BCAA retains airworthiness oversight; an attractive position for lessors and owners as they receive the asset on return with a complete maintenance history, in English, to a very high standard.