NAFA member Shawn Holstein, President, CEO and Co-Founder of Holstein Aviation, shares his latest blog.
When a private aircraft is registered with the FAA, the registered owner’s name and address become part of a public record. For many buyers, that’s not a concern. For others — high-net-worth individuals, public figures, corporate owners seeking confidentiality, and non-U.S. citizens who want FAA registration — an aircraft owner trust offers a solution that addresses both privacy and legal structure in a single vehicle.
Understanding how an aircraft owner trust works, when it’s useful, and what it actually accomplishes (and doesn’t accomplish) helps buyers make the right ownership structure decision from the start.
What Is an Aircraft Owner Trust?
An aircraft owner trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee — typically a specialized trust company or financial institution — holds legal title to an aircraft on behalf of a beneficial owner. The trust itself is the registered owner of record with the FAA. The beneficial owner controls and uses the aircraft, but their name does not appear in the FAA aircraft registry.
The trust operates under a trust agreement that defines the relationship between the trustee and the beneficial owner, including the terms under which the trustee holds title, the authority of the beneficial owner over the aircraft, and the conditions under which the trust can be dissolved or the aircraft transferred.
From an operational standpoint, nothing changes. The aircraft is flown, insured, and maintained exactly as it would be under any other ownership structure. The difference is entirely in how title is held and who appears in the public record.
This blog was originally published by Holstein Aviation on May 5, 2026.