Make sure you know what's involved before buying ex-military aircraft so you can make an informed decision about whether one of these aircraft is right for you.
Transferring an ex-military aircraft to the Australian civil aircraft register can be a long and expensive process. It also may not always lead to the result you want.
You can register the aircraft in 2 ways:
- through type certification
- Part 132 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations - limited category aircraft.
Maintenance and type certification
When you buy an ex-military aircraft, you will need to demonstrate to us the aircraft you buy is safe to fly.
You will also need to provide evidence that any modifications or repairs to the were carried out in accordance with either:
- a supplemental type certificate
- an approved modification/repair design.
Providing this evidence is not always easy, or possible, to do with ex-military aircraft. Military standards for design, manufacture, operation, modification, and maintenance are different to civil aviation requirements. This may present a hazard if you can’t confirm the history and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Because they have an operational background, these aircraft often come with limited maintenance records.
Owners may also sell the aircraft 'as is'. This means they might not be airworthy at the time of sale. You may need to invest money to ensure the aircraft meets the civil aviation safety standards.
Ex-military aircraft may also require a restricted category type certificate. Some aircraft used by the military don't have equivalent civil aviation type certification. This means you will need to go through a rigorous process to meet the requirements.
Restrictions that may apply
Depending on the type of ex-military aircraft you buy, restrictions on how you can use it may apply.
For example, you may not be able to carry passengers or use the aircraft for commercial purposes. Knowing the restrictions or conditions we might apply will help you determine whether you will use the aircraft in the way you intend to.
Exporting Australian ex-military aircraft
Before you can export an Australian ex-military aircraft overseas, you must transfer it from the Australian Defence Force register to the Australian civil aircraft register. This means that even if you intend to operate the aircraft outside Australia, you must complete the full process.
Restrictions mentioned on this page may also be potential challenges in the process.
Type certificates for restricted category aircraft rules
You can read the full rules about type certificates for restricted category aircraft in Part 21.025 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR).
We also have an advisory circular (AC) explaining the certification of restricted category aircraft.