14 CFR §47.3

1. (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. (1)Owned by a citizen of the United States;
   2. (2)Owned by an individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;
   3. (3)Owned by 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 within the United States, and the aircraft is based and primarily used in the United States; or
   4. (4)An aircraft of—
      1. (i)The United States Government; or
      2. (ii)A State, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a political subdivision of a State, territory, or possession.
2. (b)No person may operate an aircraft that is eligible for registration under 49 U.S.C. 44101-44104, unless the aircraft—
   1. (1)Has been registered by its owner;
   2. (2)Is carrying aboard the temporary authorization required by § 47.31(c); or
   3. (3)Is an aircraft of the Armed Forces of the United States.
3. (c)Governmental units are those named in paragraph (a) of this section and Puerto Rico.