If the lienholder is not paid the amount due within 10 days after it becomes due, the lienholder may proceed to sell the property, or so much thereof as is necessary to satisfy the lien and costs of sale, at public auction.
§ 1208.65.Sale of Property to Satisfy Lien
Title 4. Of the Enforcement of Liens · Chapter 5. Liens on Aircraft · Enacted 1953 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1208.65 lets a lienholder sell an aircraft, or enough of it, at public auction to satisfy the lien and sale costs if payment isn't made within 10 days after the debt becomes due.
Full Text of § 1208.65
Plain-English Summary
Holding an aircraft under a lien doesn't do the lienholder much good if the debt never gets paid. This section gives the lienholder a self-help remedy: if the amount due isn't paid within 10 days after it becomes due, the lienholder can proceed to sell the aircraft — or as much of it as necessary — at public auction to satisfy the lien and the costs of the sale.
This sale power isn't unconditional, though. Sections 1208.66 through 1208.68 lay out the notice the lienholder has to give before selling, how the proceeds get applied, and the legal owner's right to redeem the aircraft after the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a debtor have to pay before the lienholder can sell the aircraft?
10 days after the amount due becomes due.
How must the aircraft be sold?
At public auction, and only to the extent necessary to satisfy the lien and the costs of sale.
Is notice required before the sale?
Yes -- § 1208.66 requires published or posted notice, plus registered mail notice to the legal owner, before any sale under this section.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1953, Ch. 52.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: selling aircraft to satisfy lien californiaaircraft lien public auction