Aircraft Registration

New!  Applications for these tasks are submitted and paid for online through the Michigan Business One Stop portal.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:   

MichiganAircraft Registration

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:   

Aircraft Registrations are issued per paragraph 259.76 of the Aeronautics Code of the State of Michigan.   

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:   

No Administrative Rules

D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:   

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)   

An aircraft tied down, moored, hangared, or based within this state and the number assigned to that aircraft by the federal aviation administration shall be registered annually with the commission and a registration fee paid. An aircraft shall not be issued a state registration certificate when it does not have a valid and effective registration certificate as issued by the federal aviation administration or a foreign government.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements   

Register your aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration by completing the aircraft registration form 8050-1 and the Bill of Sale form 8050-2 and return it to the FAA in Oklahoma Cityalong with the $5.00 registration fee.

Mailing address:
Aircraft Registration Branch, AFS-750
P O Box 25504  
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  73125

Please Note: The Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, is not available for download. Only original forms are acceptable for the registration of aircraft. Use of an original Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1, is required. Photocopies and computer-generated copies of this form are not acceptable for the registration of aircraft. Aircraft Registration Applications may be obtained from the Aircraft Registration branch or your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

 3.  Application Submission Requirements   

An aircraft shall be subject to the registration provisions of this act except when it is 1 of the following:   

• An aircraft owned by the United Statesgovernment.

• An aircraft of a resident of another state or an aircraft of a resident of this state that is tied down, moored, hangared, or based within another state, having complied with the registration requirements of that state, and operating within this state for a period of not more than 90 days in a calendar year. This aircraft shall not engage in intrastate commercial activity within this state.

• Aircraft owned by or registered to the United States, aircraft of the civil air patrol, or aircraft licensed by a foreign country with which the United Stateshas reciprocal relations. This aircraft shall not engage in commercial activity within this state.

• An aircraft which, in the opinion of the commission, is in a condition that would reasonably preclude its operation during the registration period

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval   

• Register your aircraft with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services, by completing the Michigan Aircraft Registration form M-4004 and returning it to MDOT along with the registration fee of 1 cent per pound based on the maximum gross weight of the aircraft.   

Mail To:
DEPT 77283  
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION
PO  BOX 77000  
DETROIT, MI  48277-0283

• The owner of an aircraft that had not been previously subject to registration under this act but has become subject to registration under this act shall inform the commission within 30 days after becoming subject to registration, shall register the aircraft, and shall pay the appropriate fee as provided by this section.

• A registration fee shall be payable annually on or before December 31. However, for an aircraft being registered for the first time, a registration certificate issued after July 1 shall be issued at the rate of 50% of the annual fee. All aircraft registrations shall expire on January 1 of each year.

 5.  Operational Requirements   

• A person shall not operate nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, except as provided in this act, an aircraft of a type required to be registered, which is not registered or for which a current certificate of registration has not been issued, or for which the current fee has not been paid.

• A person shall not operate nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, except as provided in this act, an aircraft of a type required to be registered, unless there is carried in, as required by this act, a valid registration certificate issued by the commission for the current registration year.

• An application for registration shall be made on forms provided by the commission, and shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant. The registration shall be issued subject to approval of the commission. Fees shall be paid to the commission in the form of cash paid in person or in the form of a check, money order, or bank draft made payable to the state of Michigan.   

 6.  Fees   

• A registration fee shall be paid at the rate of 1 cent per pound of either maximum gross weight or maximum takeoff weight, whichever is greater, for which the aircraft is certified under the federal aviation administration airworthiness certificate.

• If an aircraft owner fails to register or pay the aircraft registration fee due under this act by the time specified, a penalty of $50.00 shall be added if the failure is not more than 1 month, with an additional $5.00 penalty for each additional month or fraction of a month during which the registration fee and penalty are not paid.

• A registration fee shall be in lieu of all property taxes on the aircraft, either general or local.

 7.  Appeal Process   

If an aircraft registration fee is not paid within the time specified and it is shown to the satisfaction of the commission that the failure or refusal was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, the penalty may be waived at the discretion of the director of the state transportation department or his or her designated representative. The period for which a penalty is assessed shall not exceed 1 year.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities   

Public Meetings of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission are held bi-monthly. The meeting times are posted at the Michigan Aeronautics Commission web site.   

E. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:   

Michigan Department of Transportation
Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services
Airports Division
2700 Port Lansing Road  
Lansing, Michigan  48906-2160

• Program Phone: 517-335-9719

• Program Webpage: http://www.michigan.gov/aero/

or

Contact the Customer Assistance Center

Creation/Revision Date:

September 13, 2010