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Licensing and registration

A small green and white plane waits on the runway.
Department of Transportation

Licensing and registration

Notice

Aircraft registration decals (stickers) have been discontinued and will no longer be distributed.

The State of Michigan has laws which govern the registration of aircraft and the licensing of airports and other services throughout the state. This page provides resources for airport licensing and management, aircraft registration and other state mandated processes.

The section also maintains responsibility for licensing and/or registering airports, flight schools, aircraft, and aircraft dealers.

Each of Michigan's public-use airports and heliports are inspected by MDOT Aeronautics staff. There are currently 66 flight schools, 49 aircraft dealers, and approximately 5,500 aircraft registered in the state.

The State of Michigan list of licensed dealers has been updated, a person shall not engage in the business of buying, selling, brokering, or dealing in aircraft of a type required to be registered, unless he or she has received a license from the commission per MCL – Section 259.82. The Aircraft Dealers section illustrates the licensing conditions, process, and duties of a dealer as required by the Aeronautics code.

Aircraft registration

Two steps to registering your aircraft with the federal government and State of Michigan:

  1. Register with Federal Aviation Administration
    Complete FAA Aircraft Registration (Form 8050-1) and FAA Bill of Sale (Form 8050-2) and return it to the FAA along with the $5 registration fee. The FAA certificate issue date must be issued before MDOT can process your registration. FAA status can be checked using the FAA's Aircraft Inquiry Registry.
  2.  Register with MDOT Office of Aeronautics
    Complete the  Michigan Aircraft Registration (Form M-4004) and return it to MDOT. First time registration fees must be mailed. Renewal fees must be paid online. Your renewal fee receipt will serve as a compliance document until the registration certificate is issued.

Please allow up to six weeks for registration processing.

If you have a credit on your account that you would like to apply or need further assistance, email us at MDOTAircraftReg@Michigan.gov.

If there has been a transfer of ownership, follow the instructions for Transfer of Ownership (Form 1575).

Registration exemption

If FAA records list the aircraft as airworthy, it must be registered with the State of Michigan. If you qualify for an exemption, complete Certificate of Claim of Exemption from Aircraft Registration (Form 4006) and return it to MDOT.

Aircraft use tax (Paid directly to the Michigan Department of Treasury.)

For more information, visit Aircraft Use Tax or call 517-636-4120 to determine your use tax.

New landing sites

Airport managers

New heliport sites

Aircraft dealers

Flight schools

FAA certification