14 CFR § 47.3

An aircraft may be registered under 49 U.S.C. 44103 only when the aircraft is not registered under the laws of a foreign country and is—

Owned by a citizen of the United States;

Owned by an individual citizen of a foreign country lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;

Owned by a corporation not a citizen of the United States when the corporation is organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or a State within the United States, and the aircraft is based and primarily used in the United States; or

An aircraft of—

The United States Government; or

A State, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, or a political subdivision of a State, territory, or possession.

No person may operate an aircraft that is eligible for registration under 49 U.S.C. 44101-44104, unless the aircraft—

Has been registered by its owner;

Is carrying aboard the temporary authorization required by § 47.31(c); or

Is an aircraft of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Governmental units are those named in paragraph (a) of this section and Puerto Rico.