(a) There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part the gross receipts from the sale in this state of, and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of, the following:

1. (1) Aircraft sold to any person using the aircraft as a common carrier of persons or property under authority of the laws of this state, of the United States, or of any foreign government, or sold to any foreign government for use by that government outside of this state, or sold to any person who is not a resident of this state and who will not use that aircraft in this state otherwise than in the removal of the aircraft from this state.

2. (2)

   1. (A) A ground control station sold to any foreign government for use by that government outside of this state or sold to any person who is not a resident of this state and who will not use that ground control station in this state otherwise than in the removal of the ground control station from this state.
   2. (B) A “ground control station” means a portable facility used to operate aircraft in the air without a pilot on board. The term includes controls, video equipment, computers, generators, and communications equipment, sold as an integral part of the station, and antennas used to control the aircraft. The term does not include trucks, tractor-trailers, or other devices solely used to transport the station.
3. (3) Tangible personal property that is purchased on or after October 1, 1996, and becomes a component part of any aircraft described in paragraph (1), as a result of the maintenance, repair, overhaul, or improvement of that aircraft in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements, and any charges made for labor and services rendered with respect to that maintenance, repair, overhaul, or improvement.

(b) With respect to aircraft sold on or after January 1, 1997, it shall be presumed that a person is not engaged in business as a common carrier if the person’s yearly gross receipts from the use of the aircraft as a common carrier do not exceed 20 percent of the purchase cost of the aircraft to him or her, or fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), whichever is less. This presumption may be rebutted by contrary evidence satisfactory to the board showing that the person is engaged in business as a common carrier.

In no event shall “gross receipts” include compensation by the person or related parties for use of the aircraft as a common carrier.