What is an N Number?

When you first decide that you would like to have an aircraft of your own, you may spend some time looking into the different models available to you and what fits into your price range. After settling on just what you want and as you ready to finalize the purchase, it is a good idea for you to look into the rules and regulations set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so you can be sure you comply with everything as an aircraft owner. A critical part of ownership is proper registration, and if you have never gone through the process before you may not be familiar with all that is involved. This can include understanding the N number for your plane, what it is, and what it signifies.

Explaining the Number

Different countries may use various letter associations to go with their registration numbers. In the United States, your registration number will start with the letter “N,” which is why many people refer to the registration this way. The numbers can vary in how they are, including ending with one or two alphabetic letters. Other regulations go along with the assignation of the number, including that the number can be anywhere from one to five characters, it cannot start with a zero, and it may not contain the letters “I” or “O” because they are too close in resemblance to the numbers one and zero. The piece to remember is that this number is used as the unique registration identifier for your plane.

The Rules of a Number

All civil aircraft in the United States are required to register with the FAA and receive an N number that is displayed prominently on the plane. Planes can have different registration numbers over time, specifically if the airplane has changed ownership. If you purchase your aircraft from another owner or broker, you can get new numeric numbers when you register the plane yourself as the new owner. You will have to fill out the proper paperwork and file it with the FAA so that you can be assigned a new number.

Registering for a Number

Going through the registration process so you can get an N number for your plane does not have to be a difficult or frustrating process, as it often can be when dealing with paperwork. Here at the National Aviation Center, we have set up a system that allows you to register your aircraft as quickly as possible. Through our unique and secure web portal, you can fill out your application online instead of struggling with page after page of paper forms. Just submit the form to us electronically, include your supporting documents and electronic payment, and we will organize everything and transmit it to the FAA for you for processing. You can get your plane registered without fuss and hassle with our help, and you can contact us at (800) 357-0893 if you need help or have questions regarding the process and what it entails.