Aircraft MA Registrations down for 2022

New online registration system apparently not being used

MassDOT sent an email to airport managers reporting that as of May 5th, aircraft registrations for 2022 are down by half. They asked that managers forward the message to all aircraft owners and remind them that registration is required.

This is the first year MassDOT has converted from a paper / snail mail system to a new online system from SalesForce. My personal experience was that the system was very confusing and difficult to use. If you need to register your aircraft, you can access the MassDOT registration system here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-register-an-aircraft

Note that when I completed my registration, they had not carried over previous registrations and I had to register a new aircraft. For first access, click the "Not a member?" link to create a new account on the MassDOT site.

The

Email from Rodolfo Giannandrea from MassDOT included the below message from Kevin Moran

Good Morning !!!

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 90, § 49(b) every person owning a FAA certified civil aircraft that: (1) is based in the Commonwealth for more than 60 days and not registered with another state, or (2) is based in the Commonwealth for more than 180 days and is registered with another state must register the aircraft with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – MassDOT Aeronautics Division.

To assist aircraft owners the MassDOT Aeronautics Division implemented an online automated the Salesforce Aircraft Registration and Payment System (effective 01/01/2022) for all the 2022 Aircraft Registrations. The new system provides the online processing of credit card payments.

Unfortunately, as of today the 2022 aircraft registrations are down approximately 50% !

With just under 60 days left in FY2022, we would request that you assist us in getting the unregistered/delinquent aircraft owners successfully registered.

We are requesting that ALL Airport Managers reach out to its aircraft owners and request that they take full advantage of our online portal and register their aircraft.

We had suspended the late fee charge to allow for more time for owners to register their aircraft without the worry paying a late charge, but the late fee will be reinstated on June 1^st, 2022. This allows aircraft owners the entire month of May 2022 to get current with their aircraft registration.

Also, Airport Badges – anyone requesting a badge who has not paid their annual registration fee will not be issued a badge. The badge will be held by MassDOT until the aircraft has been registered. Without the appropriate credentials aircraft owners should not be accessing the airport.

Lastly - anyone without a current registration should not be flying their aircraft.

If you have any questions – please do not hesitate to contact me.

We thank you in advance for your efforts.

Kevin Moran

Director of Administration and Finance, MassDOT Aeronautics Division