(1) A person shall not conduct flight operations requiring a federal aviation regulation air carrier or commercial operator’s certification without first having been issued a valid federal aviation regulation air carrier or operating certificate or valid commercial operator’s certificate.

  (2) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a crime as follows:

  (a) For a first violation, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

  (b) For a second violation within 5 years after the first violation, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than 1 year or more than 5 years or a fine of not less than $5,000.00 or more than $50,000.00, or both.

  (c) For a third or subsequent violation within 5 years after a conviction for a violation of this section, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than 4 years or more than 10 years or a fine of not less than $10,000.00 or more than $100,000.00, or both.