FAA Aircraft Registry
Search 310,653 FAA-registered aircraft by tail number (N-number), owner name, make/model, city, or state. Every civil aircraft registered in the United States is required to have an N-number on file with the FAA — enter one above to see the registered owner, aircraft type, manufacture year, and current status.
Data sourced from the FAA Releasable Aircraft Registry. Updated regularly.
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All Makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What is an N-number?
An N-number (also called a tail number) is the unique registration identifier assigned to every civil aircraft registered in the United States. It always starts with the letter N, followed by up to five alphanumeric characters — for example, N12345 or N123AB. The FAA maintains the official registry of all N-numbers.
How do I look up an aircraft by tail number?
Use the search bar above and enter the N-number (with or without the leading N). You can also search by the registered owner's name or city. Results show the registered owner, make and model, manufacture year, and current registration status.
What does "Active" registration status mean?
An Active status (status code V) means the aircraft's FAA registration is current and valid. Other statuses include expired registrations, aircraft that have been sold or transferred, or records that have been cancelled. Status reflects the FAA registry at the time of the last data update.
How often is this data updated?
This site is updated regularly from the FAA's Releasable Aircraft Registry bulk download. The footer shows the date of the most recent data refresh. For real-time verification, consult the official FAA Aircraft Registry Inquiry.
What is the most common aircraft in the United States?
Cessna single-engine aircraft dominate the FAA registry. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is consistently the most-registered model with tens of thousands of FAA registrations. See the Most Popular Models page for the full ranking.
Can I look up who owns a specific aircraft?
Yes. Every FAA-registered aircraft has a registered owner on file. Search by the N-number (tail number) to see the owner's name and address as recorded in the FAA registry. Note that the listed owner is the registrant — the legal owner at the time of registration — which may differ from the current operator or pilot.
What does "Experimental" aircraft mean in the FAA registry?
Experimental is an airworthiness certificate category, not an aircraft type. It covers homebuilt aircraft, research aircraft, air racing aircraft, and certain kit-built planes. Experimental aircraft have different operating limitations than standard certificated aircraft and are common among amateur builders.
How do I find all aircraft registered in a specific state?
Use the Browse by State section to select any U.S. state. The registry matches aircraft by the registrant's address on file — so a California-based owner flying a plane in Texas would still appear under California. Each state page lists all aircraft with that state's address and includes filters by aircraft type.
Why might an aircraft registration be expired or cancelled?
FAA aircraft registrations expire every three years and must be renewed. A registration may also be cancelled if the aircraft was sold, exported, destroyed, or permanently withdrawn from service. Cancelled and expired registrations are moved to the deregistered aircraft database, which is also searchable on this site.
How do I find all aircraft owned by a specific company?
Use the search bar and enter the company name. Results include all aircraft with that registrant name in the FAA database. For large fleet owners like airlines, leasing companies, and flight schools, you can also browse the Largest Fleet Owners rankings page.
What is the difference between a tail number and a registration number?
They are the same thing. The tail number (also called an N-number in the U.S.) is the registration number assigned by the FAA. It appears painted on the aircraft's tail or fuselage and serves as its unique identifier in the FAA registry. All U.S. civil aircraft tail numbers begin with the letter N.