I have the highly coveted stealthy 3" numbers in the plane. Anybody have any good ideas on stick on numbers for crossing the border either north or south.

Tim

I ordered a set of the big numbers from Sporty's two years ago when I flew the Gutless Wonder north for the summer's AK job. A six-pack of his favorite to the local sign guy had them plastered in place with no wrinkles.

It cost about $35 from Sporty's as I recall, and the local guy said he could have beat the price.

Gump

We get all of our temporary N numbers from the local speed shop. Same day service, temporary vinyl. When I get to the country I'm exporting to, just pull them off, no damage to the paint at all. If you get the numbers that lean, be sure to get them leaning opposite directions, otherwise they look silly with one side leaning forward and the other side leaning backward.
I've had them on for as long as a month with no damage, but they do get stuck real well if left on for long in strong sunlight, but a hair drier takes care of that.

Tim, I cross the border up north quite often, no one has ever mentioned my three inch numbers, although it's been a long time since anyone looked at the airplane' may be different down south.
Bruce

I've seen it done in a pinch with electrical tape. Looks ghetto but works. Comes off clean too.

Or use shoe polish for an even more ghetto look...

I've heard that Canada wants 12" numbers, but have flown my 170 up there with 3"ers & nobdy said a word. I believe it's a different deal going to old Mexico-- I think the problem there is that you're transitting an ADIZ, that's why you need the big 12" (letters).
Temp numbers: I've heard of people using electrical tape,duct tape, or (maybe best) that blue painter's tape, which is made to come off easily. Also heard of people using water-based paint. Shoe polish is a new one but the same sorta idea. I know a guy who used hardware-store mailbox numbers for a while between stripping & painting his airplane, but don't know if they come in 12" size.

Eric

qmdv wrote:I have the highly coveted stealthy 3" numbers in the plane. .....................

My new hotrod 150 has a fresh paint job, complete with 12" numbers-- and the rebuilder was thoughtful enough to not only paint them on, but to also clear-coat over them. So much for the on-the-sly conversion to 3" numbers......

Eric

It is my understanding that you only need the 12" numbers whem coming back to USA, not leaving.

Tim

Tim, I think you are right and it is customs that wants them big.

WHy would you want to go to all that trouble just to go to Mexico. Just don't go>>>>>

Within the last couple of months I inquired of Canadian Customs if the 3inch numbers were acceptable. Their over the phone answer was that it was the country of registration that determined requirements. As far as Canada was concerned as long as the aircraft was legal in its country of registry it was legal in Canada.

It's my understanding that the 12" numbers are only required when crossing an ADIZ. Going to/from Canada/Mexico doesn't doesn't cross an ADIZ. Small numbers are OK. Save your money for that Canadian 100LL.

I recall reading the FAR that concerns size of tail numbers but looked for it recently & couldn't find it. Anybody know the chapter & verse?
Seems like if the airplane was at least 30 years old, or in the case of a homebuilt, a replica of one that was 30 years old, small numbers were OK. I think even as small as 2", but then maybe you needed big wing numbers also.

Eric

Hafast wrote:http://www.supercub.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=14760&highlight=nnumbers

That appears to be a restricted forum or topic.

hotrod150 wrote:I recall reading the FAR that concerns size of tail numbers but looked for it recently & couldn't find it. Anybody know the chapter & verse?
Seems like if the airplane was at least 30 years old, or in the case of a homebuilt, a replica of one that was 30 years old, small numbers were OK. I think even as small as 2", but then maybe you needed big wing numbers also.

Eric

I believe your looking for FAR 45, I think what you want is FAR45.29
I don't want to sound like a lawyer, but you don't repaint the ENTIRE aircraft, and you DON'T restore the markings.

I'm also pretty sure, but not positive that the definition of "antique" for the purposes of this FAR is an aircraft that is at least 30 years old, so if I interpret it correctly if your aircraft was built prior to 1978 you don't have the big numbers? Ref FAR 45.22

Size Matters?

N Number size requirements are linked to the date of manufacture of the plane. Twelve inch numbers are absolutely required when penetrating an ADIZ --temporary electrical tape suffices. Crossing the border into Canada does not require an ADIZ crossing. See AOPA: http://www.aopa.org/members/files/topics/planemrk.html . I do not know if this page is restricted to members or not.