Essentially A Pilot Tax Imposed By The State

Pilots who live in Illinois are required to register with the state government, and pay a $10 registration fee every two years.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reminds pilots that all holders of Federal Airman Certificates engaged in the operation of aircraft in Illinois shall complete an Application for Registration of Federal Airman Certificate: AER 1967 form within 30 days after establishing residency in Illinois. Each completed application shall contain at least the same information that is shown on the Federal Airman Certificate, including all ratings attached to the certificate.

The fee for the registration of each Federal Airman Certificate is $10.00 when paid within the first year of the current biennial registration cycle. Persons who register within the second year of the current biennial cycle must pay $5.00. Remittance shall be payable to the State Treasurer of Illinois and shall be included at the time the application for registration is submitted.

A biennial Certificate of Registration that will automatically expire on the date indicated on the Certificate of Registration will be issued. The Certificate of Registration will be mailed to the registrant as soon as possible.

Each biennial registration cycle begins January 1 of all even years and expires December 31 of the following odd year. Renewal notices are mailed at the beginning of each cycle.

According to Section 14.300 of the Aviation Safety Administrative Rule, 92 Illinois Administrative Code 14, no person shall engage in the operation of aircraft in Illinois unless current and qualified under 14 CFR 61, effective October 1, 2002.

Notable exemptions to pilot registration include military pilots (who only fly government aircraft), non-solo student pilots, pilots flying aircraft exclusively engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, and non-Illinois residents lawfully registered in their home state.

(Source: Illinois DOT. Image from file)

FMI: Illinois Aeronautics Act Sect. 44