As a prospective aircraft owner, you’ve probably heard of the need for an N number. This serves as the identifying number for aircraft here in the United States. Let’s take a look at what N number registration looks like.
Your Airplane N Number
Aircraft owners in the United States are probably aware that the Federal Aviation administration gives each registered aircraft a specific identifying number, each starting with the prefix letter “N”, which is the international denomination for American aircraft. This is why the numbers assigned to airplanes here are commonly referred to as N-numbers. You will receive one for your aircraft upon completing the initial registration process, which will be your airplane’s identifying number going forward. Once you have it, you will have to display it on the tail of the aircraft in order to visibly identify it, which will come with specific requirements, which is why these are also known as aircraft tail numbers.
N Number Registration
In order for you to receive your N number, you will first have to register your aircraft accordingly with the Federal Aviation Administration. This will involve submitting the form for initial registration to the FAA. Don’t worry, the form is very straightforward. All you need to provide as part of the submission process will be the identifying manufacturing information about the aircraft, as well as the owner’s personal data to tie the registration to them. You might have to submit some additional paperwork if the aircraft was previously registered abroad, but that will be very case-specific. Even then, the process itself is very simple. You will be receiving your registration certificate and your N-number in no time.
Display Your N Number on Your Aircraft
Now that you have your N number, though, it will be time to properly display it. On fixed-winged aircraft, the operator must display the tail numbers on either of the vertical tail surfaces or the sides of the fuselage. The marks on the vertical tail surfaces must be displayed horizontally on both surfaces of a single vertical tail or on the outer surfaces of a multi vertical tail. These must be at least 12 inches high, with a few exceptions. An aircraft displaying marks at least 2 inches high before November 1, 1981, and an aircraft manufactured after November 2, 1981, but before January 1, 1983, may display those marks until the aircraft is repainted or the marks are repainted, restored, or changed. Additionally, marks at least 3 inches high can be displayed on a glider or on an aircraft for which the FAA has issued an experimental certificate under.
N Number Registration
Whether you are registering an airplane or merely consulting information about one, you are going to need to submit some forms. You could do this through the Federal Aviation Administration, but you can also avoid the bureaucracy and complications of this by trusting our platform here at the National Aviation Administration. Here, you will find the forms for N number registration, as well as all others. And, should you need some additional help with submitting your form, don’t hesitate to use our website chat, fill out our contact form, or give us a call at 1-800-357-0893 and we’ll answer your questions in no time.