Airplane tail numbers are essentially the unique identification codes assigned to aircraft. They are similar to license plates for cars.
- Purpose: They are used to identify specific aircraft for air traffic control, regulatory purposes, and for tracking ownership and maintenance records.
- Location: Typically displayed on the tail of the aircraft, but can also be found on the fuselage.
- Format: Varies by country, but generally consists of a combination of letters and numbers.
For example, in the United States, tail numbers start with the letter “N” followed by a combination of numbers and letters.