Tips from pic Custom n numbers

Search the FAA website’s aircraft inquiry to see what N numbers are available (registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberAvailabilityInquiry); a formal request (and $10) is thereafter submitted online (aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/NN/reserve.aspx).

The FAA requires three to four weeks to confirm your requested N number before you can either reserve it on file for one year at a time or proceed with placing it on an aircraft. You may wish to contact Aero-Space Reports, AOPA’s aircraft title and escrow services strategic partner, to handle the process for you for a $250 flat rate (except the new airworthiness certificate).

Once you have your custom N number reserved, you can ask the FAA registry, by overnight letter or via the title company service, to assign your reserved N number to a specific aircraft by serial number. There is a $10 fee. The FAA will acknowledge the assignment with an 8050-64 form that also serves as a form to return to the FAA when the N number is finally painted (or decaled) on the aircraft. The assignment is good for one year, but the form must be returned to the FAA within five calendar days after painting the N number on the aircraft.

Lastly, FAR 91.203(a) requires the applicant to get a new airworthiness certificate with the new N number on it and be onboard the aircraft within 10 calendar days of the N number being painted on. Contact with your FAA FSDO office must start immediately, because an FAA physical inspection of the new N number paint and the logbooks is required.

Call the AOPA Pilot Information Center (800-872-2672) for help on keeping an existing custom N number upon selling an aircraft.

Rodney Martz is a senior aviation technical specialist with the AOPA Pilot Information Center.