Quick Links Aircraft registration code The international standard Aircraft registration codes in the United States Forming an N-Number Other requirements set by the FAA Special registration codes Registration codes can be changed Exceptions to the displaying of aircraft registrations
You may have noticed an alphanumeric code stenciled at the back of every aircraft, showing its unique registration code. These codes are part of the international system of registrations that keeps track of aircraft worldwide. The code is part of an international system of aircraft registrations that helps keep track of the tens of thousands of aircraft scattered worldwide.
Aircraft registration code
An aircraft registration code is an alphanumeric code between two and six characters in length that identifies the aircraft's country of origin (where it is registered) and other information pertaining to the operator. The international convention requires the registration number to be marked on the exterior of every civilian aircraft.
The registration code must also appear in its Certificate of Registration, issued by the country's aviation regulatory authority. While the registration is changeable over the life of the aircraft, it can only have one registration at a time and in one aviation jurisdiction.
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For example, suppose an aircraft is registered in the United States with a certificate of registration from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In that case, it cannot be simultaneously registered in another country or jurisdiction. The same aircraft can be re-registered in a different jurisdiction upon withdrawal from its current registration.
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Posts The international standard
The Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, requires that all aircraft be registered based on the procedures set by the country. The unique alphanumeric string indicates the nationality of the aircraft as well as other information pertaining to the operator. Each country has its own unique identifier, from which the registration code must begin.
International standards require that registration codes be prominently displayed on the aircraft. Some countries may require the registration codes to be imprinted on a permanent fire-proof plate mounted on the fuselage to be identified in case of use during a post-fire or post-crash investigation.
While each aircraft has a unique registration code, some countries may reuse the code when the aircraft has been sold, retired, or scrapped. All aircraft registered in the United States have their registration codes beginning with "N°. Similarly, all Canadian aircraft registrations begin with "C," UK-based aircraft registrations begin with "G," and Japanese aircraft begin with "JA." The remaining characters (letters and numbers) are typically at the owner's discretion but may consist of three numbers followed by two letters.
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Posts Aircraft registration codes in the United States
Aircraft registered in the United States begin with "N" as its country identifier. The FAA determines the format of the registration code, which operators can then formulate. According to the FAA,
"The U.S. received the "N" as its nationality designator under the International Air Navigation Convention, held in 1919. The Convention prescribed an aircraft-marking scheme of a single letter indicating nationality followed by a hyphen and four identity letters (for example, G-REMS). The five letters together were to be the aircraft's radio call sign."
In the early 1900s, the United States had the right to use radio letters N, W, and some combinations of K (KDA to KZZ). While W and K were arbitrary, the letter N was used by the US Navy in November 1909. Letter N was eventually used for aircraft registration because the US government had initially reserved it, while K and W were assigned to different radio stations.
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Initially, the letter N was restricted to international flights. After the Chicago Convention, the first legal requirement for the use of the N prefix came in general amendments to the Air Commerce Regulations in March 1927. These amendments mandated the use of N markings at the beginning of its aircraft regardless of where they operated. Over the years, several display locations for registration markings on fixed-wing aircraft were selected.
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The FAA allows individual aircraft owners to take advantage of its online aircraft registration services, requesting various services and pieces of information. According to the FAA,
"Individual aircraft owners can complete self-guided aircraft registration applications, upload legal and supplemental documents, receive auto-generated notification, request aircraft registration N- Numbers, use modernized online payment options, receive instant notification of payment, and digitally sign Aircraft Registration Applications. Services will be continuously improved."
Forming an N-Number
The FAA determines that the US-registered aircraft may not exceed five characters in addition to the country-specific prefix "N". These characters can be in the form of:
One to five numbers (N12345) One to four numbers followed by one letter (N1234Z) One to three numbers followed by two letters (N123AZ) To avoid confusion with the numbers one and zero, the letters I and O are not to be used. Related The Meanings Behind British Airways' Different Aircraft Registrations
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Posts 1 Other requirements set by the FAA An N-Number may not begin with zero. The first N-number zero must precede any number 1 through 9. For example, N01Z is not valid, but N101Z is valid Registration numbers N1 through N99 are strictly reserved for FAA internal use. The FAA no longer issues numbers beginning with NC, NX, NR, or NL. On some older aircraft, these numbers may be displayed in accordance with FAR Part 45.22. Related FAA Calls For Boeing 787 Seat-Track Inspections After Manufacturing Fault Found
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Posts 1 Special registration codes
The FAA allows the use of specialized registration number (N-Number) that are either selected from the list of available N-Numbers for immediate use on specific aircraft or be reserved for a later use. Registrants must pay a reservation fee of $10.00 for a Special Registration Number. The assignment fee for the reserved registration number is $10.00. These numbers may be:
Used to change the existing N-Number on the aircraft Assigned to a newly manufactured, imported, or home-built aircraft that is in preparation for registration Reserved for one year from the time of reservation. The FAA allows multiple renewals of the registration number for periods of one year at a time. Each yearly renewal incurs a fee of $10 and can be done through online registration services Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock Registration codes can be changed
Aircraft owners can request a change of registration code to the FAA, through a formal letter requesting the change and the assignment of a different number to the aircraft. The FAA requires owners to provide specific information in the request letter, including:
Name of the manufacturer Model designation Serial number Current U.S. registration number Signed and dated Supplemental documents, including the title Related Why So Many Italian Aircraft Are Registered In Ireland
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Posts 3 Exceptions to the displaying of aircraft registrations Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock
The FAA allows some exceptions to the rules surrounding the displaying of the aircraft registration code. The FAR Part 45.21 and Part 45.23 through 45.33 states that a US-registered aircraft may be operated without displaying the registration code anywhere on the aircraft if:
It is operated for exhibition, including a motion picture television production or an airshow. Except for practice and test fights necessary for exhibition purposes, it is operated only at the exhibition location, between the exhibition locations, and between those locations and the base of operations of the aircraft, and For each flight in the United States: It is operated with the prior approval of the responsible Flight Standards office in the case of a flight within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for the takeoff airport or within 4.4 nautical miles of that airport if it is within Class G airspace; or It is operated under a flight plan filed under either Part 91.153 or Part 91.169 of this chapter, describing the marks it displays, in the case of any other flight.
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