Recently we've received an increasing number of inquiries into the procedures and requirements of importing a plane from Canada, so here's how: just add $5,000 (usd) to the cost of the plane! (Seriously, we use the $5K as a ballpark figure all the time.) Here's what's involved, and what you need to take into consideration. Please bear in mind that this is an overview of the process, and not intended as a complete guide.

First, check for clear title. Unlike the US, where all titles are kept in a central depository, Canadian title records are managed on the provincial level. You can find out in what province the aircraft is registered using this link. Next, contact the Ministry of Finance in that province. To the best of our knowledge (and Transport Canada), there are no private companies in Canada offering title search services similar to those offered by US firms. (If you know of one, please let us know!)

Since the airworthiness standards of all countries aren't always the same, you'll need a new Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) from our FAA. This will usually require an annual inspection, and a signoff from your local Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR). While these often go smoothly, bear in mind that Canadian mechanics do NOT have to comply with US AD notes, and not all of them may have been performed.

Note that the DAR cannot issue ANY C of A without an N-Number, so be sure you've reserved one ahead of time. You do NOT need to have physical possession of the plane to reserve a number, but you MUST have an N-number to get a C of A. (You may find the FAA site here to be of help.)

And then there's those numbers- those BIG, beautiful, 18" high numbers on the bottom of the left wing (bet you didn't see those in the photos!). All of the Canadian markings must be removed, and your new N-Number applied in the proper places and sizes- a process that often involves re-painting at least part of the aircraft. (Our $5K is disappearing quickly, eh?).

One more thing- it has been our experience that a very high percentage of aircraft imported from Canada are missing the original US logs. This problem seems to be minimized if the aircraft was new when it went north, but seems to increase with the amount of logs to be potentially lost. Make this one of your very first questions to ask your Canadian seller.

There are a few more details to the process, but we've covered the high points- hopefully at least enough to get you to mentally add that $5,000 to the advertised price!