FAA Plans to Protect Identities of Private Aircraft Owners

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that private aircraft owners can now request to keep their identifying information, such as names and addresses, private from public view, a move that could complicate tracking of private flights. This change is part of a response to privacy concerns raised by notable figures like Elon Musk and Taylor Swift, who have expressed fears over their safety due to public flight tracking. The FAA's new policy, effective March 28, 2025, allows owners to submit requests via the Civil Aviation Registry and potentially sets the stage for automatic privacy measures in the future. The National Business Aviation Association has praised this initiative as a necessary step to enhance security for high-profile individuals. Critics have noted, however, that tracking private aircraft can serve important regulatory functions, prompting the FAA to seek public input on how the new measures might affect safety checks and compliance. Overall, the FAA's decision reflects a growing tension between privacy rights and public safety in the context of private air travel.