Question: I have found lots of information online about European pilots owning and flying N-reg aircraft using trusts set up in the US. I live in Europe, but I'm a US citizen, so must I also set up a trust because I don't live in the US? I cannot seem to find a definitive answer on this with references to supporting regulation.

Answer: 
As a US citizen you can own an N-reg aircraft directly, regardless of where you live. The regulations on aircraft registration are in [14 CFR Part 47](https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=pt14.1.47#se14.1.47_17). They say *who* can register an N-reg aircraft, but they don't say anything about *where* that person must be. 47.3(a)(1) simply says:

> 
> **§47.3 Registration required.**
> 
> 
> (a) An aircraft may be registered under 49 U.S.C. 44103 only when the
> aircraft is not registered under the laws of a foreign country and is—
> 
> 
> (1) Owned by a citizen of the United States;
> 
> 
> 

The regulations are summarized in a more readable way on [this FAA site](https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/register_aircraft/). A trust allows a non-US citizen (or non-resident alien) to own an N-reg aircraft provided they have no more than 25% of the voting rights in the trust, per 47.7(c)(2)(iii).
According to NBAA, trusts are used by non-US citizens to register aircraft with the FAA. Because you are a US citizen, it looks like you don't need a trust to maintain the FAA registration. Here's the article with references to the FARs: <https://nbaa.org/flight-department-administration/aircraft-registration-transactions/owner-trusts/> . Here's an aviation trust company: <https://aviationtrust.com/> . I have no financial interest in that company. They appeared higher up in my search.