FAA curtails private aircraft ‘stalking’ with plan to protect owner’s identity
Social media accounts that track celebrities and politician’s flights on private aircraft may find the process becoming more difficult as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces plans to protect owner’s identities.
On March 28, 2025, the FAA announced that it will allow private aircraft owners to “request to keep certain ownership information, like their name and address, private and not publicly available” on its websites.
The new rule will be brought in as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, through Section 803 Data Privacy.
Although not explicitly stated by the FAA as justification for the new rule, it is expected that the development will make tracking private aircraft more difficult.
Both SpaceX boss Elon Musk and singer Taylor Swift have previously complained about their aircraft being tracked and the potential risk it poses them.
Starting from March 28, 2025, private aircraft owners and operators can submit a request through the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES) for the FAA to withhold their aircraft registration information from public view.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the move by the FAA to limit “flight-stalking” and praised politicians for passing bipartisan legislation to bolster security.
“Security is a huge issue for companies large and small, all across the country, which is one of the reasons Congress passed bipartisan legislation requiring the FAA to strengthen the protections for aircraft ownership information and flight-data,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are pleased with the steps the FAA has taken to protect entrepreneurs and businesses.”
The FAA is also evaluating whether or not to make withholding the personally identifiable information of private aircraft owners and operators from the public aircraft registry the default position in the future.
The FAA also intends to provide a means for owners and operators to download their data when needed.
“The FAA will publish a request for comment in the Federal Register to seek input on this measure, including whether removing the information would affect the ability of stakeholders to perform necessary functions, such as maintenance, safety checks, and regulatory compliance,” the agency said.
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The post FAA curtails private aircraft ‘stalking’ with plan to protect owner’s identity appeared first on AeroTime.
Social media accounts that track celebrities and politician’s flights on private aircraft may find the process becoming more…
The post FAA curtails private aircraft ‘stalking’ with plan to protect owner’s identity appeared first on AeroTime.
