§45305 Registration, certification, and related fees

Summary

The FAA must set and collect fees for certain services, but each fee cannot be more than the estimated cost to provide that service. Covered services include things like registering or renewing an aircraft, issuing dealer and special registration numbers, recording a security interest (lien) in an aircraft or part, issuing airman and airman medical certificates, and giving legal opinions about registration or recordation. The FAA may also charge foreign governments or entities for certification services anywhere, so long as the fee follows safety agreements and does not exceed the estimated cost. No fee can be collected unless Congress has already approved using that fee money in a funding law. Collected fees go back to the account that pays for the service, can only be used to pay those costs (including collection costs), stay available until spent, may be used during temporary funding laws, and must be adjusted if actual costs change.