skymaule wrote:Size Matters?

Yeah, to me 12" N numbers on a C-140, Luscombe or similar type of airplane looks ugly.

Desert185 wrote:It's my understanding that the 12" numbers are only required when crossing an ADIZ.

Other than airplane specific requirements, This IS correct ....

Desert185 wrote:Going to/from Canada/Mexico doesn't doesn't cross an ADIZ. Small numbers are OK. Save your money for that Canadian 100LL.

This is only correct if you are flying an inland route north... the coastal waters are in fact within the ADIZ. And not true at all of Mexico as the entire southern border has a 15 mile wide ADIZ...
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a64pilot wrote: .......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.

Stupid 2005 FAR-AIM book I have jumps from part 43 to part 61, anybody wanna give us a quote as to what the wording is on that?
I kinda felt the guy out I bought the airplane from (who also painted it) about stripping or sanding & repainting the tailcone area without the 12" numbers, I was willing to pay him but he wasn't interested so we never even got around to talking price. It doesn't look bad, just not covert like I prefer, so I'll live with it. The airplane is 44 years old BTW.

Eric

If you are flying north to Alaska, even using the coastal route, you do not need to add 12" numbers. There is an exception to mandatory ADIZ markings:

"ADIZ Requirements
An exemption from Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR 45.29 (h) allows pilots operating within, to, or from Alaska to operate aircraft that do not display 12-inch nationality and registration marks when penetrating the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) or Distant Early Warning Identification Zone (DEWIZ). The exemption includes a segment of the ADIZ that lies across the coastal route into Alaska, permitting operation across the ADIZ in that area without complying with the marking requirement. Flying overland in the ADIZ below 200 mph doesn't require an ADIZ or DVFR flight plan.

The regulation remains in effect with respect to the outer portion of the ADIZ that lies offshore and outside the Aleutians. The exemption includes a section of ADIZ that lies across the coastal route to Alaska, permitting operation across the ADIZ in that area without complying with the aircraft's marking requirement." (AOPA: "Preparing to Depart for Alaska")

hotrod 150, this should get you there. Your 150 qualifies as an antique, and as I interpret the reg, the 2" stealth registration numbers.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... enDocument
Just google the FAR.

And I thought that my 3" numbers were stealthy. I could go down to 2" numbers and be the envy.
Tim

a64pilot wrote:hotrod 150, this should get you there. Your 150 qualifies as an antique, and as I interpret the reg, the 2" stealth registration numbers.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... enDocument
Just google the FAR.

As I read it, that section says no:

FAR 45.22 wrote:....
(c) No person may operate an aircraft under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section--
(1) In an ADIZ or DEWIZ described in Part 99 of this chapter unless it temporarily bears marks in accordance with Secs. 45.21 and 45.23 through 45.33;

Isn't the ADIZ what is in question here? Or is this just saying that 2" marks are ok, but "remember, you can't fly into an ADIZ without a marked N#"

Also, doesn't the aircraft haved to be cerfified in the antique/exhibition category to qualify under 45.22?

This is really splitting some hairs.

You can't fly into an ADIZ or DEWIZ with N numbers smaller than 12", or at least us just part 91 guy's can't. The 12" numbers DO NOT have to be permanent.
If your aircraft is at least 30 years old you can have 2" registration numbers. You can show NC as well, just like in the old days, but I believe on radio calls you are supposed to not call out the C. For example, my little 140 has 2" numbers, NC77121 on the tail and I intend to keep it that way. (ref FAR 45.22)
That's my interpretation of the FAR, but I think it's correct as long as your 12,500 lbs or less (definition of small)
I don't think there is an antique category, just small part 91 airplanes that are 30 years old or older. I think it has to be operated under part 91 though.
Now it get's a little complicated. If your aircraft was manufactured before Nov 1, 1981, and an aircraft manufactured after Nov. 2 1981, but before Jan. 1 1983 and it has the small registration marks, then it may keep the small marks until the aircraft is repainted, or the marks are repainted, restored or changed. (ref FAR 45.29)
My interpretation is that if it's 30 or more years old you can repaint it and put the 2" numbers back on it. If I'm wrong, I intend to ask forgiveness, but not permission.

US Customs requires aircraft entering the US to have 12 inch tall N-numbers. My plane only has three inch numbers so I printed up 12 inch numbers and laminated them to meet this requirement.

I have my girlfriend unroll them as we cross the border and slide them into both of the back windows. Then she attaches a light-weight stick with velcro to the back to hold them flat! It works slick!

I've used them every time I return from Baja and customs has never questioned them.

They roll up nice and small to stow in the back of the plane when not in use (we do not need 12 inch tall numbers while flying in Baja).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13896784@N00/423145043/

If anyone needs a set, drop me a line and I'll try to hook you up!

[email protected][url][/url]