Can a foreigner own an American registered aircraft ?
Yes. The general rule is that only US citizens and green card holders can own American registered aircraft. However, there are three exceptions to this rule: 1. Foreign corporation – if the aircraft will be flown at least 60% of its flight time in America it can be registered to a US corporation which is foreign owned provided that regular returns are filed with the FAA proving its flight time in America. 2. Owner Trust – If the aircraft is settled in trust with a US trustee it may be beneficially owned by a foreign person or company. 3. Voting Trust – If a US corporation is structured so that not less than two thirds of the Directors and Officers are US citizens and not less than 75% of the voting rights in the shares of the corporation are settled in trust with a US trustee then that corporation can be the registered owner of a US aircraft and may be owned by a foreigner.
