Definition of Public Aircraft
A public aircraft is an aircraft that is either used solely by the United States government or is owned and operated, or leased for at least 90 consecutive days, exclusively by another government entity such as a state, district, territory, or possession of the United States. This type of aircraft cannot be used for commercial purposes but is permitted to transport crewmembers or other individuals necessary to perform government functions such as search and rescue, firefighting, law enforcement, aeronautical research, or resource management. Additionally, public aircraft can transport passengers, but only if operated by the Armed Forces or an intelligence agency of the United States. This category of aircraft also includes those that are owned and operated by a unit of government on behalf of another unit of government for cost reimbursement purposes, provided that the government certifies that no private operator was reasonably available to respond to a significant and imminent threat to life, property, or natural resources.
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