Digital Signature and FAA Aircraft Registration

A digital signature is something that people barely know about, but this is required during FAA aircraft registration.

In 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a policy which set out its Digital Signature Use Policy. According to the order, electronic signatures are considered equivalent to the traditional handwritten signature.

Requirements of a Digital Signature

• Displays the signer name and is used for the execution or confirmation of the document.

• It has signer’s name either typed or printed next to it if the signer uses a scanned copy of the handwritten signature or the signature name is written in cursive.

• It shows the Digital Signature on behalf of a legal entity, the company, executives or partnership title of the signatory.

• It shows proof of signing identity authentication, like the text is digitally signed along with the seal, date and time credentials of the execution of the software provider's mark; or has a software provider authentication code or key.

• It has a font, text size and colors density that can be read and reproduced clearly in black on white format when reviewed or copied or scanned.

The important point is that a "digital" sign is not necessarily the same as an "electronic signature." Digital signatures fall under the broad category of "Electronic Signature." The digital signatures used for binding or authenticating a party, simply defined, are the digital markings. The digital sign is equivalent to the traditional signature used for signing a contract or document though is considered to be an electronic signature. Electronic signatures can be a digital signature completed with specific software for creating a secure and federally acceptable signature, or an electronic reproduction of a real hand-written signature. It is therefore important to include digital signatures that comply with FAA policy in all documents submitted to the FAA.

There is no approved digital signature list of the FAA and the FAA neither defines the technological differences between a digital and an electronic signature. However, the FAA confirms that digital signatures must include public key technology which uses Public Key, private key and digital certificates. Most of the third-party suppliers have the right technology for digital signatures that comply with the FAA Policy.

Come to Aviation Trust Company for the FAA aircraft registration. We will ensure your digital signature and documentation comply with FAA policies.