by Julie Carr
MnDOT Aeronautics – Business Section
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2024 Digital Issue
In Minnesota, all aircraft are registered with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, through MnDOT Aeronautics. There are more than 9,200 registered aircraft in Minnesota, including airplanes, balloons, and drones, active and unairworthy aircraft.
Once an aircraft is registered in Minnesota, the owner receives a certificate as proof of registration. By law, aircraft must be registered within 20 days of purchase if the aircraft is based in Minnesota.
Aircraft registration is required to be renewed every year by July 1, and aircraft registration must be paid in full by July 10 to avoid late fees. Paying online is the easiest way to renew aircraft registrations in Minnesota. Aircraft owners who pay by electronic check also save time and postage, as there are no fees for electronic checks. There is a fee for using a credit card.
Funds from aircraft registration are used to support Minnesota’s excellent network of public airports, seaplane bases and aviation systems. All aviation-related taxes, including registration, go into the State Airports Fund (SAF). The SAF pays for airport maintenance and operations, airport equipment, NAVAIDs, project funding for Minnesota public airports and airport inspections. SAF funds are also used to match a portion of federal funds to National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) airports.
New online registration and payment system launched in March.
At the end of March 2024, MnDOT Aeronautics launched a new online payment system. There will also be numerous enhancements throughout the year. The goal is to create a single self-service online portal that makes it more convenient to register aircraft, pay any fees or taxes due, and provide any supporting information.
The new online registration and payment system is also designed to increase efficiencies on the backend, which will help reduce the time it takes to process and complete registrations. And, MnDOT Aeronautics’ aircraft registration team will be available to answer your questions as we transition to the new system. You can get more information and set up your new aircraft registration account at mndot.gov/aero/aircraftregistration.
