49 U.S.C. § 45302 — Fees involving aircraft not providing air transportation

(a) Scope. This section applies only to aircraft not used to provide air transportation. This section does not define “air transportation.”

(b) Authority and maximum fees. The FAA Administrator may charge fees to cover the costs of issuing airman certificates to pilots, issuing aircraft registration certificates, and processing forms for major repairs and alterations of aircraft fuel tanks and fuel systems. The fees may not exceed: (1) $12 to issue an airman certificate to a pilot; (2) $25 to register an aircraft after ownership is transferred; (3) $15 to renew an aircraft registration; or (4) $7.50 to process a form for a major repair or alteration of an aircraft fuel tank or fuel system.

(c) Adjustments. The Administrator must adjust the maximum fees in subsection (b) for changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Secretary of Labor.

(d) Credit and availability. Money collected under this section must be credited to the Treasury account from which the Administrator incurs expenses in carrying out chapter 441 and sections 44701 through 44716 of this title, except sections 44701(c), 44703(g)(2), and 44713(d)(2). The money is available to the Administrator to pay the expenses for which the fees were collected.

(e) Effective date. (1) A fee may not be imposed under this section before the regulations required by sections 44111(d), 44703(g)(2), and 44713(d)(2) take effect. (2) A fee may not be imposed under this section for a service or activity during any period when a fee for the same service or activity is imposed under section 45305.