Temporary N-Numbers

[Jetpilot86]

Looking at changing the N-Number on my beast and heard you can get vinyl numbers to put over until the paint job occurs.  Any board supported suppliers of these?

[A64Pilot]

I don’t know about board supported, but I’d export aircraft with the Countries N numbers covered in white vinyl as the airplane was base white and the local car speed shop would cut the N numbers to put over the white.

On my C-140 I had as large a NC numbers that would fit to put on the topside of one wing and under the other in red. That was as a guess over ten years ago, there are some very good grades of vinyl that don’t fade, red is apparently the worst about fading, yet these haven’t faded but it is always hangared too.

I know many aircraft that have permeant vinyl N numbers, but your really not supposed to, the reg allows decals and states that whatever you use should have the same permanence as paint. I really don’t think anyone would care as long as they looked professional. Maule puts their test flt numbers on with duct tape, and that looks terrible.

I’m not sure what a decal actually is other than what I used to put on model airplanes as a kid.

[warren.huisman]

Vinyl numbers are certainly available and they aren’t terribly expensive. I’ve used them on aircraft which had the little tiny numbers - ATC couldn’t read them - and they worked well.

No ideas the legalities of having only Vinyl numbers however….


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[A64Pilot]

FAR 45.21, I cut n pasted what I believe is the applicable parts, but read the whole thing, the decal part is gone it seems

Aircraft nationality and registration marks must— 

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, be painted on the aircraft or affixed by any other means insuring a similar degree of permanence; 

(2) Have no ornamentation; 

(3) Contrast in color with the background; and 

(4) Be legible. 

(d) The aircraft nationality and registration marks may be affixed to an aircraft with readily removable material if— 

(1) It is intended for immediate delivery to a foreign purchaser; 

(2) It is bearing a temporary registration number; or 

[Fly Boomer]

39 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

FAR 45.21, I cut n pasted what I believe is the applicable parts, but read the whole thing, the decal part is gone it seems

Aircraft nationality and registration marks must— 

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, be painted on the aircraft or affixed by any other means insuring a similar degree of permanence; 

(2) Have no ornamentation; 

(3) Contrast in color with the background; and 

(4) Be legible. 

(d) The aircraft nationality and registration marks may be affixed to an aircraft with readily removable material if— 

(1) It is intended for immediate delivery to a foreign purchaser; 

(2) It is bearing a temporary registration number; or 

Typical non-specific wording.  “…affixed by any other means…” sounds pretty promising until you get to “…insuring a similar degree of permanence “.  How do you quantify that.  Okay, rant over.

[M20F]

This is what I have been using. 
 

 

[EricJ]

19 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Typical non-specific wording.  “…affixed by any other means…” sounds pretty promising until you get to “…insuring a similar degree of permanence “.  How do you quantify that.  Okay, rant over.

I think it just means it doesn't come off until it isn't needed any more, in wind, rain, etc.

[Schllc]

I have done it, wouldnt hesitate to do it again. 
 

[RLCarter]

Go to a sign shop and have the cut out of vinyl, hangar neighbor does it all the time to get into Mexico (larger N# is required) 

[Danb]

These are vinyl I replaced the Canadian numbers until I decided what color to affix the new n number. 

16 hours ago, warren.huisman said:

Vinyl numbers are certainly available and they aren’t terribly expensive. I’ve used them on aircraft which had the little tiny numbers - ATC couldn’t read them - and they worked well.

No ideas the legalities of having only Vinyl numbers however….


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[Jsno]

Higher Graphics could make them for you.

[A64Pilot]

A lot of newer aircraft Cirrus I think, I know Cessna come new with a type of stick on N numbers, in fact I believe all of the graphics are some kind of stick on something.

Until I made them Stop at Thrush we were shipping new aircraft with the Speedshop supplied Vinyl N numbers, never had a complaint. I made them stop because it didn’t meet the FAR and why tug on Superman’s cape as in it wasn’t worth what I thought would be the FAA response if anyone ever made a complaint. All it would have taken would have been an owner ruin one with a pressure washer and complain.