industry news

NAFA member Wings Insurance shares their latest article on aviation insurance.

In aviation insurance, there always seems to be confusion concerning what the FAA permits regarding aircraft operations and what the insurance requirements dictate via the policy conditions. ‍

FARs and insurance requirements are always two entirely separate paths of compliance, and both must be adhered to. If you expect to have insurance coverage in the event of a loss, you need to be compliant specifically with your policy conditions and warranties. Conversely, you might be in violation of an FAR and suffer a loss but still have insurance coverage if you haven’t breached a policy condition.‍

A great example of this is found in the pilot warranty section of a policy—specifically turbine policies. 

Read full article here

This article was originally published on StepZero Coaching on December 3, 2025.

NAFA Foundation Education Committee:   

The NAFA Education Committee is very pleased to have seen seven (7) students graduate from Embry-Riddle’s business aircraft finance program in the Spring, with three (3) additional graduates in the Fall.  This first year of the NAFA aircraft finance program has been a tremendous success, and NAFA members should be proud that the organization has educated ten (10) young adults to be equipped to participate in the future aviation finance workforce. 

 The NAFA-designed coursework within the Master of Science in Aviation Finance program is a part of the NAFA Foundation’s 10-year partnership (endowment) with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and includes two specific college courses, NAFA-I and NAFA-II.  Built in part thanks to NAFA’s Education Committee, in partnership with an excellent cross-section of the NAFA membership, the Association has laid the groundwork for long-term workforce development in aviation finance.  We’d like to thank Isabelle Lafond, Rollie Vincent, Ramy Sidhom, Rick Berkemeier, Amanda Applegate, Lou Seno, and Jim Blessing, members of the NAFA Education Committee and NAFA Foundation, for such an impactful and precedent-setting initiative.

Welcoming New Members 

NAFA has seen its membership base increase in 2025 to 188 member companies. We welcomed a total of 27 new member companies. This influx of fresh perspectives and expertise reinforces NAFA's position as a comprehensive network for all stakeholders within the general and business aviation industry. 

NAFA Members Events 

NAFA 53rd Annual Conference: Hosted at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, FL, this event brought together over 230 industry professionals to network, participate in insightful discussions, and discover the most recent trends and advancements in business and general aviation finance.

NAFA/IADA 2025 Networking Welcome Reception: This joint event with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), was held at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, NV. The event brought together over 640 participants from both Associations, providing valuable opportunities for networking, relationship building, and exploring new business prospects.  

4th Annual NAFA Reception at EAA AirVenture: This year we collaborated with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) for our 4th Annual reception at the prestigious EAA AirVenture expo. In addition to NAFA and IADA, over 20 Embry-Riddle students/interns were in attendance. Totaling over 120 attendees. Thank You to GAMA for their hospitality.   

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

Webinars:

Produced 4 webinars in 2025:

NAFA invested resources dedicated to transactional integrity, tariffs and tax implications:

NAFA Webinar - Tax Updates

NAFA Webinar Recap: Navigating Tariffs When Importing Aircraft into the U.S.

A Fireside Chat on International Sanctions, Anti-Bribery and AML Compliance Priorities in the New Administration

NAFA Webinar: Operational Issues - What you need to know post sale

The NAFA Newsletter: Our monthly publication with top articles: 

Articles

Past Newsletters

If you’re interested in contributing an article for 2026, don’t hesitate to reach out to theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero. 

Honoring a Legacy of Achievement:

David Warner Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aircraft Finance Association

We were pleased to present Dave Warner with the NAFA Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAFA 53rd Annual Conference. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the aircraft finance industry throughout their career and underscores the importance of the Association’s values.  

Leadership and Vision for the Future 

NAFA welcomed several new board members in 2025: Christopher Lee,1st Source Bank;
Jim Blessing, AirFleet Capital; Brian Macbean, AOPA; Dave Wall, TVPX; John Odegard, 5X5 Trading. Bryan Byers, Prism Bank, has taken over the role of NAFA President; Paula Staciarini, Embraer, has taken over the role of Treasurer and Jim Blessing, AirFleet Capital, has taken over Secretary role. Thank you to the following outgoing Board members for their commitment and dedication to the NAFA Board: Ed Medici, Bank of America; Anthony Schieber, Textron Financial Corp; and Phil Winters, Western Aircraft.  

Looking Ahead: NAFA in 2026 

As we move into 2026, NAFA will focus on providing the business and general aviation finance community opportunities for growth and betterment through collaboration, member expertise, and educational content. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox for updates! 
 

This article was published by NAFA on December 8, 2025.

NAFA member FLYING Finance shares their latest educational feature about aviation lease rates.

The aviation market is currently defined by scarcity. With lease rates at all-time highs, operators and prospective owners need to understand the underlying economic drivers—from OEM backlogs to component shortages—to make informed decisions.

Our latest in-depth report offers a comprehensive education on these market dynamics, providing the data you need to understand the shifting value of aircraft assets.

Knowledge is power, but execution requires expertise. FLYING Finance offers more than just funding; they provide a partnership. Their team is dedicated to walking clients through this complex landscape, helping you analyze the data and structure an acquisition strategy that insulates you from the volatility of the leasing market.

Click here for Educational Feature Article

This article was brought to you by FLYING Finance on November 22, 2025. 

NAFA member David G. Mayer with Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP discusses the legal and tax issues regarding charitable flights.

Many find navigating the legal and tax issues are more than worth it for charity flights.

Fighting a serious health condition like cancer is horrendous, but it gets even worse when the cancer patient can't travel to see the right doctor—a doctor who may not be across town but across the country. Rising to this great need, many private aviation individuals and corporate owners, lessees, pilots, and operators—flight partners—provide a free flight on their aircraft to those who face the physical, emotional, medical, or financial burden of traveling long distances for specialized medical care.

Multiple “qualified organizations” (i.e. charities) facilitate these partner flights. Often called “charitable organizations,” in the U.S. they must satisfy the criteria under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to be a tax-exempt entity. These charities, which have separate program models, include the Corporate Angel Network (CAN), for cancer patients; Angel Flight, for medical and disaster relief patients; and Patient AirLift Services (PALs), for medical patients.

CAN proudly announced last month at NBAA-BACE that it has coordinated 70,000 flights for cancer patients since its founding. I lost both of my grandfathers to cancer just as I was old enough to ask about their stories and some of my parents’ unspoken childhood exploits. Thinking of my grandfathers, who did not have today’s care options, I feel privileged and grateful to have become an “ambassador” for CAN.

When I shared my enthusiasm for this CAN role with friends and colleagues at NBAA-BACE, the conversation quickly shifted from their awareness of the charities to tax write-offs for partner flights, company liability risks, and FAA scrutiny of these flights and their pilots. In a discussion at Corporate Jet Investor Miami last week, an attendee said he “would love to pilot a mission” but did not know where to start.
 

Read full article here

This article was originally published by AIN on November 14, 2025.

NAFA member Gilchrist Aviation Law discusses the ongoing evolution of the Registry.

Over the past several years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has undertaken a significant transformation of the Civil Aviation Registry. These changes stem from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which directed the agency to modernize registry practices, digitize aircraft records, and expand secure electronic and remote access to registration services. In response, the FAA began developing the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services, better known as CARES, which is now rolling out in phases. The initiative aims to replace the existing Registry infrastructure with a web-based platform intended to serve as the central legal repository of U.S. civil aircraft registration and recordation data.

The goals of CARES are ambitious and forward-looking.  The system is designed to reduce reliance on paper documentation, streamline submissions, and provide the aviation community with real-time access to aircraft records. Users can create secure accounts, upload documents electronically, and pay fees through an online portal. If fully realized, CARES has the potential to improve efficiency not only for the FAA, but also for aircraft owners, lenders, title companies, and aviation counsel who work with the Registry daily.

Although CARES promises meaningful improvements, the transition has introduced significant challenges. The development of CARES has coincided with the removal or alteration of long-standing procedures that users have depended on for decades. Access to critical information has been reduced, and legal support functions historically provided by the FAA have been discontinued. These policies and procedural changes have introduced uncertainty in areas where the aviation marketplace has long relied on stability and precision. As a result, the Registry currently operates in a state that is neither fully modernized nor fully functional.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by Gilchrist Aviation Law on November 4, 2025.

NAFA member Gilchrist Aviation Law shares confirmed FAA Registry Closures.

As we head into a busy season for aircraft transactions, it's important to separate fact from speculation.

Currently the FAA has confirmed closures on only three days (all Thursdays): Thanksgiving Day (November 27), Christmas Day (December 25), and New Years Day (January 1).

Because each of these holidays fall on a Thursday, there are possibilities of either an early release on each preceding Wednesday, and/or a closure the following Friday. However, no such announcement has been made at this time.

In past years, the FAA has issued unscheduled closure notices with little warning, so our team will continue to monitor updates closely and share any new information as soon as it becomes available. But, if you have questions feel free to call us.

If you have year-end transactions moving forward, we are here to help you plan ahead and stay prepared.

This article was originally published by Gilchrist Aviation Law on November 19, 2025.

NAFA member SOLJETS shares their latest article.

In a season meant for gratitude and togetherness, this year’s Thanksgiving arrives amid a uniquely turbulent moment in American aviation. As the nation emerges from a prolonged government shutdown, the ripple effects continue to strain airports, delay operations, and disrupt travel plans across the country. Yet even in this period of uncertainty, private aviation has remained a reliable constant—keeping families connected, businesses moving, and essential missions in motion. This article explores why, now more than ever, private aviation deserves a special place on our gratitude list, and how its resilience, flexibility, and dedicated professionals are helping travelers stay close to what matters most.

As Thanksgiving approaches, a season that reminds us to slow down, gather with loved ones, and reflect on what we’re grateful for, it’s worth taking a moment to recognize the power of connection. This year, as the United States has just emerged from a prolonged government shutdown and federal operations reopen, the aviation system continues to feel the strain of the shutdown’s ripple effects and operational reductions. For those who depend on efficiency, safety, and reliability in the air, private aviation isn’t just a luxury; it’s a lifeline.
‍

A Season of Disruption

The latest government shutdown has created unprecedented strain across the national airspace system. The FAA has announced major reductions in general aviation operations at twelve of the nation’s busiest airports, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, along with others. Under these restrictions, business and private aircraft faced prohibitions from operating at these airports unless granted special authorization, and many of these limitations may remain in place as the system transitions out of the shutdown. Beyond these major hubs, many other regions are experiencing significant slowdowns as ripple effects extend across the system. With controller staffing still stretched and operational resources only beginning to recover, air travel nationwide remains impacted and unpredictable, even as the shutdown comes to an end. The FAA has indicated that commercial flight operations at major hubs will remain reduced by approximately 3% while the system stabilizes.
‍

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen emphasized that these limitations place a heavy burden on general aviation, an industry that supports more than a million American jobs and contributes more than $340 billion in economic activity each year. While much of the aviation community faces new restrictions and delays, this moment underscores just how essential private aviation is to maintaining connectivity, mobility, and economic vitality.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by SOLJETS on November 14, 2025.

NAFA member FLYING Finance shares how you can take full advantage of the benefits of the new rules.

It’s hard to overstate how impactful bonus depreciation has been to private aviation.

The fiscal policy is now woven into the framework of U.S. tax legislation, and it’s become a pivotal stimulus in the aviation industry, particularly the private aircraft market. Through a series of legislative changes over the years, bonus depreciation has been instrumental in stimulating growth and revitalizing ways in which aircraft manufacturers can market and reach new consumers. 

Bonus depreciation, essentially, is a strategic tax incentive designed to foster business investments. It first became a mainstream fiscal tactic in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the economic downturn of the early 2000s. 

President George W. Bush’s administration introduced the policy through the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002 that allowed for a 30 percent deduction on capital asset expenses. By 2003, this was increased to 50 percent, catalyzing business investments across various sectors, including aviation.

However, this provision oscillated through various phases, which was an indirect reflection of economic stability and legislative goals. After a temporary lapse from 2004 to 2007, the financial crisis of 2008 prompted its reactivation at 50 percent to stimulate economic recovery under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

President Barack Obama notably raised the rate to a full 100 percent in 2011, which made the immediate ability to expense private jet purchases for business use highly attractive and significantly impacted sectors like aviation.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by FLYING Finance on October 4, 2025.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers​​​​​​​
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​​​​​​​​

Jeff O’Hearn
ohearn@connellco.com
908-723-9646

NAFA Welcomes New Member: Connell Blue

Edgewater, MD — November 12, 2025 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that Connell Blue has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes Connell Blue to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are pleased to announce that Connell Blue’s emphasis on leasing within the business aviation sector, together with Connell Equipment Leasing Company's focus on mobile equipment across all industries, will provide significant benefits to all NAFA members."

Connell Blue is a part of The Connell Company which is a privately-owned equipment leasing, real estate and hospitality firm. Founded in New York City in 1926 as a rice and commodity trader, the organization has evolved over the decades under the direction of five generations of the Connell family.

Connell Blue emphasizes leasing in the business aviation sector along with Connell Equipment Leasing Company which focuses on mobile equipment across all sectors. Connell Blue is the first choice for single investors, fair market value (FMV) lease financing. With over $100 million in annual equipment purchases, the company has served high quality domestic and international companies since 1975. Connell Blue is a single investor lessor offering dry operating leases for Part 91, Part 135 or Part 141 Use on new or pre-owned jets, turboprops, piston and helicopters.

“Connell Blue is excited to join as a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association to help support the aviation sector along with the other members,” said Jeff O’Hearn, Vice President. “As a privately held independent lessor focusing on business aviation clients, we are eager to expand our reach and to collaborate with the existing members to continue providing excellent service to the industry. The Connell business and family have a 50-year history in the leasing industry, and we believe the aviation sector provides additional opportunities for the company to showcase our ability to provide a tailored solution to those customers looking for operating lease options on new and pre-owned aircraft.”

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Contact Information:    

Theresa C. Myers                                                                                                                     
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero                                                     
410-571-1740     

Debbie Wilson                                 
Debbie@AviatorsTitleAndEscrow.com
405-837-9670

NAFA Welcomes New Member: Aviators Title and Escrow
 

Edgewater, MD — November 11, 2025 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that Aviators Title and Escrow has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes Aviators Title and Escrow to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We welcome Aviators Title and Escrow to NAFA and believe their 40 years of escrow expertise will benefit all members."

Aviators Title and Escrow is a family-owned business established in 2015 by sisters Debbie Wilson and Nancy Bartrug. Together, the sisters run the business with efficiency, integrity, and dedication.  Their unique synergy is their professional edge.  With the sisters in your corner, you’ll get the combined expertise of a unified, trustworthy team dedicated to providing you with a safe, secure escrow transaction.  Debbie and Nancy are very “hands-on” business leaders.  You’ll likely work directly with one or both during your escrow transaction. 

“It’s a privilege to be accepted as a member service provider for the National Aircraft Finance Association,” said Debbie Wilson of Aviators Title and Escrow.  “We are keenly aware of the importance lenders place on fraud prevention.  As a professional aircraft title and escrow business, we’re in a unique position to support lenders in fraud mitigation and other endeavors.  We look forward to learning how our services can be tailored to meet the individual needs of NAFA members.”

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Read the latest from NAFA Member Clay Ferguson, Associate Attorney at Gilchrist Aviation Law.

Over the past several years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has undertaken a significant transformation of the Civil Aviation Registry. These changes stem from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which directed the agency to modernize registry practices, digitize aircraft records, and expand secure electronic and remote access to registration services. In response, the FAA began developing the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services, better known as CARES, which is now rolling out in phases. The initiative aims to replace the existing Registry infrastructure with a web-based platform intended to serve as the central legal repository of U.S. civil aircraft registration and recordation data.

The goals of CARES are ambitious and forward-looking.  The system is designed to reduce reliance on paper documentation, streamline submissions, and provide the aviation community with real-time access to aircraft records. Users can create secure accounts, upload documents electronically, and pay fees through an online portal. If fully realized, CARES has the potential to improve efficiency not only for the FAA, but also for aircraft owners, lenders, title companies, and aviation counsel who work with the Registry daily.

Although CARES promises meaningful improvements, the transition has introduced significant challenges. The development of CARES has coincided with the removal or alteration of long-standing procedures that users have depended on for decades. Access to critical information has been reduced, and legal support functions historically provided by the FAA have been discontinued. These policies and procedural changes have introduced uncertainty in areas where the aviation marketplace has long relied on stability and precision. As a result, the Registry currently operates in a state that is neither fully modernized nor fully functional.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by Gilchrist Aviation Law on November 4, 2025.

Edgewater, MD—Oct. 29, 2025: The NAFA/IADA 2025 Welcome Reception, a cornerstone of NBAA-BACE, once again proved to be a highly anticipated and attended event for industry professionals. A member only event held at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas brought together aircraft brokers, dealers, lenders, title & escrow firms, aviation tax specialists, aviation attorneys and financiers from across the globe. 

With over 640 attendees, the event provided an electrifying atmosphere for industry professionals to reconnect, network, and discuss the latest developments in business general aviation. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with colleagues, explore new business opportunities, and learn about the latest industry trends. 

“The NAFA/IADA Welcome Reception is a highlight of the NBAA/BACE, drawing a broad spectrum of aviation professionals to share insights and connect,” said Bryan Byers, president of NAFA. “This event is exclusively for members, and each year we experience a significant increase in attendance.”

Aerial view of NAFA/IADA reception at the Fontainebleau - 10/13/25

NAFA and IADA would like to thank the sponsors who generously supported the event and helped make the reception a success: Gold Sponsors: Scope Aircraft Finance, Aviation Financial Consulting, and Lapayowker Jet Counsel; and Bronze Sponsor: AirFleet Capital. 

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 171 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fort Lauderdale, FL — September 25, 2025 - Jettax Holdings, LLC, a company co-founded by Stewart H. Lapayowker, Esq., founder of Lapayowker Jet Counsel, P.A., today announced the planned acquisition of Aviation Financial Consulting, LLC (“AFC”), a nationally recognized aviation tax and consulting firm. The transaction will result in added capacity to increase AFC’s ability to serve a growing private aviation industry. The transaction is expected to close in early 2026.

“I have enormous respect for Stewart and believe he is absolutely the perfect strategic partner to expand AFC’s work,” said Glenn Hediger founder and current owner of AFC. 

Lapayowker added, “I welcome the opportunity to invest in Glenn’s thirty-five plus years of experience in this industry. I am confident that our shared vision and natural rapport will grow AFC many times over.” 

Lapayowker and Hediger have worked alongside for nearly three decades, providing aviation legal, accounting, and tax expertise to shared clients. The acquisition brings together seasoned professionals in a niche market that relies heavily on trusted relationships.

The two remarked, “We have worked together so well and so often that this just made good sense. We consistently challenge each other’s thinking in ways that benefit our clients. There’s no doubt this will be a rewarding and enjoyable collaboration.” 

Post-acquisition, AFC will continue to operate as an independent business unit with no significant changes to its day-to-day operations. “It will be business as usual,” noted Hediger. “What will change is AFC’s ability to expand capacity, attract top talent, and further enhance the high level of service our clients have come to expect.” 

Aviation Financial Consulting, LLC
Aviation Financial Consulting, LLC (AFC) provides the general aviation community with specialized aviation tax and accounting services. The firm’s expertise includes federal excise tax compliance, state sales and use tax planning, personal and entertainment use reporting, SEC aircraft-related disclosure and tax reporting, GAAP tax accounting, and acquisition/disposition planning. Glenn Hediger, founder and President of AFC, has over 35 years in general aviation, including nearly a decade and a half holding tax, accounting, and government a airs roles at Dassault Falcon Jet and client consulting responsibilities at RSM, US. For more information, visit www.AFCjettax.aero. 

Stewart H. Lapayowker, Esq. 
Stewart H. Lapayowker devotes his law practice to corporate aircraft transactions. He counsels corporate and individual clients, foreign and domestic, on issues relating to the acquisition, sale, leasing, registration and financing of new and pre-owned jet aircraft (including fractional aircraft). He counsels on a wide variety of aviation matters, including implementing tax efficient structures, related FAA and DOT regulatory matters, regulatory evaluation of operations, aircraft management arrangements, personal use issues and compensation-related SEC issues in connection with the use of business aircraft by public companies. He has lectured on aviation topics, been cited to by a Federal Court, and is the author of “Buying a Private Jet? What You Don’t Know…” (2025). For more information, visit https://www.JetCounsel.Law and @yourjetlawyer

The FAA is on the verge of completing the launch of a major modernization initiative that could affect the flow of business aviation transactions through the rollout of the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic System (CARES).

This anticipated overhaul of the FAA Registry in Oklahoma City aims to further digitize, streamline and automate the vital records system that has traditionally relied heavily on paper-based document processes, but has gradually shifted toward digitization since 2020 and the lasting adaptive measures arising out of a COVID-19 economy.

While the benefits of CARES are clear—faster access to aircraft records, digital filing and improved transparency—its implementation may introduce a new layer of uncertainty into an already timing-sensitive market. For brokers, attorneys, financiers, lessors and title companies, understanding what CARES is, why it matters, and how it might affect transaction timelines and effective allocation of certain condition precedent responsibilities necessary for aircraft closings is crucial and worth the prudent pause for careful consideration when structuring a potential aircraft deal.

What Is CARES?

CARES is the FAA’s initiative to digitize its aircraft registration and recordation system, further modernizing a traditionally paper-centric framework that has long been the living library and index of U.S. civil aircraft title and lien filings.

CARES was mandated under Section 546 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which directed the FAA to establish an electronic system for the registration of civil aircraft and the recording of related documents.

Key goals of CARES include:

• Electronic submission of registration and recordation documents

• Faster processing times

• Improved accuracy and transparency

• Enhanced data security and searchability

The FAA has indicated phased rollouts of the CARES online portal but industry stakeholders monitoring and operating the latest versions of CARES have experienced inconsistent functionality, features, document access, and pathways for continual user credentials and site registration, instead of consistent and intuitive ease of use.
 

Read full article here

This article was originally published by GlobalAir.com on October 1, 2025.

Contact Information:                                                                                                                                                                                
                 

Theresa C. Myers                                                                                                                     
theresa.c.myers@NAFA.aero                                                      
410-571-1740

Leslie Mogenson                            
leslie@arcadiajets.com
623.466.3153 

NAFA Welcomes New Member: Arcadia Jets
 

Edgewater, MD — October 9, 2025 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that Arcadia Jets has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes Arcadia Jets to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are excited to have Arcadia Jets join NAFA, and we anticipate that their expertise in aircraft brokerage services will be valuable in enhancing the knowledge and resources available to all NAFA members."

At Arcadia Jets, we are committed to providing personalized, trustworthy, and relationship-driven aircraft brokerage services. With a foundation built on integrity and transparency, we prioritize our clients' needs, ensuring they receive the highest level of service and market insights when buying or selling their aircraft. By leveraging the latest industry data and a deep understanding of the private aviation market, we guide each client through a seamless, stress-free experience—delivering the exact aircraft or sale outcome they require with professionalism and care.

"Being among the best in the aviation industry means surrounding ourselves with people you can trust—individuals who are dedicated, knowledgeable, and committed to excellence in General Aviation. Ensuring our customers receive the highest level of service and expertise when acquiring their aircraft is our top priority. That’s why we’re proud and excited to join the National Aviation Finance Association, aligning ourselves with a network that shares our values of trust, integrity, and professionalism."
— Adam Hahn, CEO of Arcadia Jets

About NAFA:
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 171 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.