Chap 3: Aircraft's Nationality and Registration Marks

Aircraft

Any machine deriving atmospheric support through air reactions, excluding ground reactions.

Heavier than air aircraft

Supported primarily by aerodynamic forces.

Lighter than air aircraft

Supported mainly by buoyancy.

Aeroplane

Power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft deriving lift mainly from aerodynamic reactions on surfaces fixed during flight conditions.

Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)

Unmanned aircraft piloted remotely from a control station.

State of registry

The state where the aircraft is officially registered.

Nationality Marks

Letters/numbers assigned by states or international agencies, selected from radio call-signs assigned by ITU.

Common marks

Assigned by ICAO to international operating agencies for aircraft registration.

Registration marks

Marks consisting of letters, numbers, or both, assigned by the state of registry.

Hyphen rule

If the first character of a registration mark is a letter, it must be preceded by a hyphen.

ITU

International Telecommunications Union, responsible for call-sign allocations.

5-letter International Code of Signals

Marks that registration marks must not resemble.

Minimum letter height for lighter than air aircraft

50 cm, except for unmanned balloons.

Minimum letter height for heavier than air aircraft on wings

50 cm.

Minimum letter height for heavier than air aircraft on fuselage

30 cm.

Type of writing for marks

Letters must be in Roman Block style; numbers must be Arabic numerals.

Identification Plate

Must display at least the nationality mark and registration mark, made of fireproof metal.

Register and certificate of registration

Must be maintained by ICAO member states, containing information from the certificate.

Certificate of registration

Must be carried on board for all aircraft used for international navigation.

Common marks registering authority

Authority assigned common marks for aircraft registration.

Balloon mark placement

Should appear on both sides near the equator of the balloon.

Airship mark location

Should be placed on the envelope or tail-unit.

Marks visibility requirement

Marks must remain clean and clearly visible.

Character width and hyphen length

Must be 2/3 of the character height.

Line thickness for marks

Must be 1/6 of character height, contrasting sharply with the aircraft's skin.

Gaps between characters

Must be at least equal to 1/4 of their width.

Balloon identification plate placement

Should be placed visibly on the outside of the balloon.

Launch record for unmanned balloons

Must include date, time, place of launching, balloon type, and operator’s name.

Aeronautical identification

The process of marking and registering aircraft for identification purposes.

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization, responsible for aircraft registration and marking standards.

Hyphen in registration mark example

Example: B-3429

Distress signal not to resemble

SOS (distress) should not resemble registration marks.

Urgency signal not to resemble

PAN (urgency) should not resemble registration marks.

Size requirement for aircraft markings

Determined by the type of aircraft and location of the marks.

Wings mark placement

Marks should be painted on the lower surface of one wing.

Fuselage mark placement

Marks should appear on both sides between the wing roots and tail-unit.

Zones of marks on lighter than air aircraft

Should be placed horizontally and on the vertical surface as specified.

Common aircraft marks source

Derived from the nationality call-sign series designated by ITU.

Outer stabilizers marking requirement

Marks must be on the outermost stabilizers' external surfaces if multiple are present.

Significance of clean marks

To ensure visibility and compliance with aviation regulations.

Unmanned Balloon registration requirements

Include details like the date, time and place of launching.

Aircraft registration mark format

Consists of nationality marks followed by registration marks.

State notification requirement

States must inform ICAO upon selection of nationality and common marks.

Main entrance location for identification plate

Typically near the main entrance of the aircraft.

Dimensions for unmanned balloon marks

Determined by the state of registry.

ICAO member state responsibility

Must maintain an up-to-date register of all aircraft.

Mark thickness rules

Line thickness must contrast with the aircraft skin color.

Mark spacing requirement

Characters must be spaced at least 1/4 of their width.

Aircraft nationality

Angola → D2, China → B, Finland → OH, Liechtenstein → HB.

Aeroplane definition distinction

Power-driven, deriving lift mainly from aerodynamic reactions.

Lighter than air vs heavier than air

Distinction based on buoyancy and aerodynamic forces.

Registration mark complexities

Must not resemble other codes (e.g., Q codes, distress signals).

Location requirements for lighter than air marks

Specified physically on envelopes and tail-units.

Emphasis on visibility of registration marks

Essential for identification and aviation safety.

Tracking unregistered aircraft

Compliance and identification are crucial for air navigation.

Criteria for aircraft categories

Lighter than air and heavier than air based on their propulsion.

Unmanned aircraft definition

Aircraft operated without a pilot on board.

Tail-unit marking specifics

Marks should be on both sides or on the upper halves.

Height specification for RPA markings

Must follow appropriate height and style standards.

Significance of durable marking methods

Ensures longevity and visibility of aircraft identification.

Registration mark configurations

Introduced to ensure proper national identification.

Notification requirement by states

Regarding the selection of nationality marks.

Aircraft registration legal framework

Governed by the Chicago Convention.

Importance of aircraft identification information

Aids in tracking and regulation of aircraft operations.

Specificity of national aircraft registration rules

Vary between different states based on local aviation laws.

Aircraft markings and their significance

Essential for both safety and identity in air traffic.

Maximum clarity requirement of marks

To maintain the effectiveness of identification.

Differences in marking lighter vs heavier aircraft

Detailed specifications for visibility and compliance.

Marking rules for unmanned craft

Specific to ensure identification in operational contexts.

Labeling of remote-controlled aircraft

Identification requirements must remain stringent.

Key factors affecting mark visibility

Durability, coloring, and placement impact how well they can be seen.