What are the requirements for displaying the tail number on an aircraft? I’m asking because this plane just flew over my house, and I don’t see any evidence of a tail number. I got it from observing the flight data on my receiver.
flightaware.com/photos/aircraft/N311BL
In our US coverage area, generally an IFR flight plan is required to be seen on the public site by default.
If you want to see position-only flights for which we don’t have a flightplan, enable position-only flights in section 6 of your account settings.
I think you misunderstood my post. I’m wondering about the markings on the plane itself. Look at the pictures. The tail number is not visible on the tail, or the body, or on the wings of the plane. I thought it was required to be visible.
I see this article that discusses requirements: aopa.org/training-and-safet … r-markings
This is what I get for posting before caffeine.
The N-number may be on the vertical stab.
So then it should be visible here, right?
flightaware.com/photos/view/589 … tes/page/1
Edit: I reviewed my pictures to try to get as much coverage of the vertical stabilizer as possible. Here are the two extremes. Is there space for a tail number on the portion that is hidden by the horizontal stabilizer? I suppose it’s possible, but it sure doesn’t seem like it.
http://victorspictures.com/img/s7/v168/p1046921708-4.jpg
I found this photo of a Carbon Cub like this one with small numbers just above the horizontal stab. It seems plausible that these wouldn’t be visible given the angle of your photos above.
Good find. I see that one end of the number is about even with the leading edge of the CC logo. I think I see the same thing happening in my photo. Maybe I’ll go to the local airport where it landed and see if I can spot it. (unlikely, but worth a thought)
Hahah! So much for that idea. I pasted the last location as of the FA log into google maps. The location is the Williamson County Jail. Actually, it’s probably at that small Georgetown airport. It may be easily visible from the street.
You had to know the rule isn’t just one sentence:
This is from the AOPA and is the short version, there is an advisory circular that specifies where the markings are allowed and also says the letters I and O are not allowed due to being to easily confused with the numbers 1 and 0. The 3 inch numbers mentioned are fairly common.
Airplane “N Number” Markings
Most aircraft are required to have N numbers, or “markings,” at least 12 inches high. Here is a summary of the rest of the required physical attributes of the markings, as well as a list of those aircraft exempt from the 12-inch requirement.
Click here for information about changing or reserving your N number.
Applicable Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
14 CFR Part 45, Identification and Registration Marking, prescribes the requirements of aircraft registration numbers.
Required Physical Attributes
For most fixed-wing aircraft, the marks must meet the following requirements:
Height: 12 inches
Width: two-thirds wide as they are high
The number "1" must be one-sixth as wide as high
Letters "M" and "W" may be as high as they are wide
Thickness: solid lines one-sixth as thick as the character is high
Spacing: no less than one-fourth of the character width
Uniformity: same height, width, thickness, and spacing on both sides of the aircraft.
Exceptions
Note: No person may operate an aircraft under the exceptions listed below if one or more of the following apply:
Operations in an ADIZ or DEWIZ described in FAR Part 99 unless temporarily has markings in accordance with FAR 45.21 and 45.23 through 45.33.
Operations in a foreign country unless that country consents to that operation.
Operations conducted under FAR parts 121, 133, 135, or 137.
The following aircraft may display marks at least 2 inches high:
Aircraft that had 2-inch markings displayed before November 1, 1981, and an aircraft manufactured after November 2, 1981, but before January 1, 1983, may display those marks until the aircraft has been repainted, restored, or changed.
Antique/classic aircraft: Aircraft built at least 30 years ago, or an aircraft issued an experimental certificate under FAR 21.191(d) or (g) for operation as an exhibition aircraft or as an amateur-built that has the same external configuration as an aircraft built at least 30 years ago may display marks at least 2 inches high.
The following aircraft may display marks at least 3 inches high:
Gliders, airships, spherical and non-spherical balloons, powered parachutes, and weight-shift-control aircraft.
Experimental exhibition, amateur-built, or a light sport aircraft under FAR 21.191(d), (g), and (i) when the maximum cruising speed of the aircraft does not exceed 180 knots CAS.
Other exceptions:
FAR 45.22 for exhibition, including motion picture or television production, or an airshow aircraft.
Note: If, due to the configuration of an aircraft, it is impossible for a person to mark it in accordance with FAR 45.21 and 45.23 through 45.33, he may apply to the FAA for a different marking procedure.
When 12-Inch Numbers Are REQUIRED
All aircraft penetrating an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) must have markings at least 12 inches high, at least temporarily. Using 2-inch-wide electrical tape is an acceptable method to temporarily display the aircraft’s registration markings.