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CHAPTER 33— FACILITIES AND SERVICES›Subchapter C— Transportation by Air›PART III— SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO TAXES ON TRANSPORTATION BY AIR

§ 4281. Small aircraft on nonestablished lines

26 U.S.C. Subtitle D — Miscellaneous Excise Taxes (Internal Revenue Code) · 2026 edition · updated 2026-10-03 · United States

(a) In general

The taxes imposed by sections 4261 and 4271 shall not apply to transportation by an aircraft having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds or less, except when such aircraft is operated on an established line or when such aircraft is a jet aircraft.

(b) Maximum certificated takeoff weight

For purposes of this section, the term “maximum certificated takeoff weight” means the maximum such weight contained in the type certificate or airworthiness certificate.

(c) Sightseeing

For purposes of this section, an aircraft shall not be considered as operated on an established line at any time during which such aircraft is being operated on a flight the sole purpose of which is sightseeing.

(d) Jet aircraft

For purposes of this section, the term “jet aircraft” shall not include any aircraft which is a rotorcraft or propeller aircraft.

(Added Pub. L. 91–258, title II, § 205(a)(1), May 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 241; amended Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 280(c)(2)(B), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 564; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11124(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1952; Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, § 1107(a), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 154; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, § 204(a), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4025.)

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▸Contents — 26 U.S.C. Subtitle D — Miscellaneous Excise Taxes (Internal Revenue Code)

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