Aircraft of Historical Significance is defined by section 220.5 in part as :
. . . any aircraft which is an original, restored, or replica of a heavier than air powered aircraft which is 35 years or older or any aircraft of a type or model of which there are fewer than five in number known to exist worldwide.
The exemption shall only apply if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The assessee is an individual owner who does not hold the aircraft primarily for purposes of sale.
(2) The assessee does not use the aircraft for commercial purposes or general transportation.
(3) The aircraft is available for display to the public at least 12 days during the 12-month period immediately preceding the lien date for the year for which the exemption is claimed. If the aircraft was first made available for public display less than 12 days prior to the lien date, the exemption may be granted if the claimant certifies in writing that the aircraft will be made available for public display at least 12 days during the 12-month period commencing with the first day the property was made available for public display.
(4) An individual owner as referenced in (1) above is a live person, not a legal entity such as a corporation or partnership.
(5) A fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) shall be charged and collected by the assessor upon the initial application for an exemption pursuant to section 220.5. An annual affidavit is required for exemption although the $35 fee is only required upon initial application in any given county.
(6) The claimant shall provide all information required and answer all questions contained in an affidavit furnished by the assessor. The claimant shall sign and swear to the accuracy of the contents of the affidavit before either a notary public or his or her designee, at the claimant's option. The assessor may require additional proof of the information or answers provided in the affidavit before allowing the exemption.
The assessor granted 25 historical aircraft exemptions for the 2004-05 roll year with a total exempted value of $1,873,927. We reviewed a number of exempt historical aircraft files and found that the assessor was in compliance with all statutory requirements...
Location Orange County Tax Assessor