Public Aircraft Law and Legal Definition
According to 19 CFR 122.1 [Title 19 Customs Duties; Chapter I U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury; Part 122 Air Commerce Regulations; Subpart A General Definitions and Provisions], public aircraft is any aircraft owned by, or under the complete control and management of the U.S. government or any of its agencies, or any aircraft owned by or under the complete control and management of any foreign government which exempts public aircraft of the U.S. from arrival, entry and clearance requirements similar to those provided in subpart C of this part, but not including any government owned aircraft engaged in carrying persons or property for commercial purposes. This definition applies if the aircraft is:
(1) Manned entirely by members of the armed forces or civil service of such government, or by both;
(2) Transporting only property of such government, or passengers traveling on official business of such government; or
(3) Carrying neither passengers nor cargo.
