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2022 US Code
Title 49 - Transportation
Subtitle VII - Aviation Programs
Part A - Air Commerce and Safety
Subpart iii - Safety
Chapter 441 - Registration and Recordation of Aircraft
Sec. 44102 - Registration requirements

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Citation 49 U.S.C. § 44102 (2022)
Section Name §44102. Registration requirements
Section Text

(a) Eligibility.—An aircraft may be registered under section 44103 of this title only when the aircraft is—

(1) not registered under the laws of a foreign country and is owned by—

(A) a citizen of the United States;

(B) an individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or

(C) a corporation not a citizen of the United States when the corporation is organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or a State, and the aircraft is based and primarily used in the United States; or


(2) an aircraft of—

(A) the United States Government; or

(B) a State, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a political subdivision of a State, territory, or possession.


(b) Duty To Define Certain Term.—In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall define "based and primarily used in the United States".
Source Credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1161.)
Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
44102(a)(1) 49 App.:1401(b) (1st sentence cl. (1)). Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §501(b), 72 Stat. 772; restated Nov. 9, 1977, Pub. L. 95–163, §14, 91 Stat. 1283; Mar. 8, 1978, Pub. L. 95–241, 92 Stat. 119.
44102(a)(2) 49 App.:1401(b) (1st sentence cl. (2)).
44102(b) 49 App.:1401(b) (last sentence).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words "may be registered" are substituted for "shall be eligible for registration", and the words "under section 44103 of this title" are added, for clarity. The words "only when" are substituted for "if, but only if" for consistency. In subclause (C), the words "not a citizen of the United States" are substituted for "(other than a corporation which is a citizen of the United States)" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "lawfully" is omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b), the words "In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section" are added because of the restatement. The words "by regulation" are omitted as unnecessary because of 49:322(a).
Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION
SUBTITLE VII - AVIATION PROGRAMS
PART A - AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY
subpart iii - safety
CHAPTER 441 - REGISTRATION AND RECORDATION OF AIRCRAFT
Sec. 44102 - Registration requirements
Contains section 44102
Date 2022
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 5, 2023
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 72 Stat. 772
91 Stat. 1283
92 Stat. 119
108 Stat. 1161
Public Law References Public Law 85-726, Public Law 95-163, Public Law 95-241, Public Law 103-272
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