Airplane Tail Numbers

Like cars have license plates, all airplanes have registration numbers, or a set of numbers and letters that uniquely identify them. When a pilot calls into an air traffic control center, he identifies himself with his plane’s registration or tail number.

In the United States, you’ll find that all airplane registration numbers start with N. Each country is assigned its own starting letter. In some countries, it’s the first two letter. For example, in Canada, it’s C, in Mexico it’s X, and in the UK, it’s G.

Let’s practice. Say the following tail numbers out loud using the aviation alphabet and the standard numeric pronunciation.

N5258Y

N112WN

N99MS

N97UA

Exercise for students to do with their parents:

Go to your local airport one day with your parents and watch the planes taking off. Teach your mom or dad the aviation alphabet and test their ability to recite the tail numbers. Show them what you’ve learned about aviation.

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