FAA Grounds 800 Aircraft Due to Invalid Registrations under Trustee SACI | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

FAA Grounds 800 Aircraft Due to Invalid Registrations

Company did not meet U.S. citizen requirements to act as aircraft registry owner trustee

Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet N222FC — This Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet, registered as N222FC under trustee Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. (SACI), is one of the 800 aircraft—as well as one of 52 turbine aircraft—that had its aircraft registrations pulled by the FAA on Jan 13, 2026. According to the agency, SACI did not meet U.S. citizenship requirements to act as an owner trustee, causing hundreds of its aircraft registrations to be deemed invalid and immediately revoked. © Cirrus Jet Owner Facebook Group

By Chad Trautvetter • Online Editor

January 13, 2026

About 800 aircraft—including 52 turboprops, business jets, and turbine helicopters—registered with the FAA under trustee Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. (SACI) are now grounded because they no longer have valid registrations, the U.S. agency said on Tuesday. According to the FAA, all of SACI’s aircraft registration certificates are invalid, effective immediately, because the company violated U.S. citizenship requirements when it submitted the registration applications. The FAA also instructed UK-based SACI to surrender all certificates within 21 days.

“SACI registered aircraft for U.S. citizens and foreign nationals using trust agreements,” the FAA said. “To register an aircraft using a trust agreement, the company/trustee must either be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.” However, SACI violated FAA regulations regarding U.S. citizenship requirements, the agency noted.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

China's Aridge Set to Trial eVTOL Flights in the UAE

Aridge and Ras Al Khaimah officials will establish a regulatory sandbox for flight trials

Regulations and Government

Aridge flight in Abu Dhabi

GAO: FAA Progressing on ATC Reform, but Needs Better Schedule

GAO report criticized implementation of new air traffic control system

Regulations and Government

GAO report airport tower

GAMA Cheers Congress Action on FAA Certification Bill

Approved by committee, the legislation now goes to the House floor

Regulations and Government

U.S. Capitol

AINsight: How To Use AI When Buying an Aircraft

Use AI cautiously and assess its output

Regulations and Government

abstract image of business jet

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

Regulations and Government

African Business Aviation Association

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

Regulations and Government

A patient sit's at a doctor's desk while she reviews information on paper in front of her

Congress OKs Stopgap Government Funding Measure

Move averts potential shutdown

Regulations and Government

US Capitol rotunda

Longtime Bizav Attorney Gary Garofalo Flies West

His career spanned more than five and a half decades

Regulations and Government

Garofalo