TC Registry vs PPSA: Understanding the Difference for Aircraft Purchases

Two separate registries. One critical difference. Here's what every Canadian aircraft buyer needs to understand.

Transport Canada Aircraft Mortgage Registry

The TC registry is a federal database maintained by Transport Canada. It records mortgages and other security interests specifically registered against Canadian registered aircraft. To register here, the security interest must specifically reference the aircraft by its C- registration number and serial number.

Searching TC is the most obvious step and the one most people know to take. However, TC registration is not mandatory — lenders have the option to register provincially instead.

Provincial PPSA Registries

Each of Canada's 10 provinces maintains its own Personal Property Security registry. Security interests can be registered here against the aircraft's serial number as a "serial-numbered goods" registration, without any reference to the TC C- registration.

Because PPSA registrations use serial numbers rather than C- registrations, a simple TC registry search will completely miss any PPSA registrations. They are two entirely separate systems with no connection to each other.

Which Registry Takes Priority?

The question of priority between TC and PPSA registrations is a complex legal matter that has been litigated in Canadian courts. The short answer for buyers is: it doesn't matter which registry takes priority because both represent real claims against the aircraft that must be cleared before a clean title can be transferred.

The only safe approach is to search both registries before completing any aircraft purchase. This is exactly what our complete reports provide.

Ready to Protect Your Purchase?

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