Jul 12, 2018     N number - (2 hours)       Category: C25 Paint

I went onto the FAA's N-number inquiry system, and was able to search for available N numbers. I reserved "N10PK", a lot easier to say than "N7608H"! The reservation is renewed annually at $10/year.

The rules on what size letters and placement... per the EAA, canards can display the letters on the vertical rudder. Put it on the outside surface, both sides. Since I believe the ultimate cruise speed will be less than 180 knots, I can use 3" numbers. SO, I'll seek the airworthiness certificate with 3" letters. If and as I know I'll fly through the DC ADIZ (I was finger printed and approved) I'll upsize to 12". If and as I fly outside the US I'll add temporary 12" letters (e.g., electrical tape). Walmart just happened to have 3" letters at $1.74 per packet... I'm not sure the letters fit the width requirement (for a 3" high, needs to be 2" wide, as below), but I'll give it a shot and see how it ends up. Using my Walmart lettering I get 5 characters of "N10PK" at 6" wide - picture. I should be at 10", so this won't work.

"45.25Location of marks on fixed-wing aircraft.
(a) The operator of a fixed-wing aircraft must display the required marks on either the vertical tail surfaces or the sides of the fuselage, except as provided in �f).
(b) The marks required by paragraph (a) of this section must be displayed as follows:
(1) If displayed on the vertical tail surfaces, horizontally on both surfaces, horizontally on both surfaces of a single vertical tail or on the outer surfaces of a multivertical tail. However, on aircraft on which marks at least 3 inches high may be displayed in accordance with �b)(1), the marks may be displayed vertically on the vertical tail surfaces. (2) If displayed on the fuselage surfaces, horizontally on both sides of the fuselage between the trailing edge of the wing and the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. However, if engine pods or other appurtenances are located in this area and are an integral part of the fuselage side surfaces, the operator may place the marks on those pods or appurtenances.

45.29 Size of marks. .... (iii) Marks at least 3 inches high may be displayed on an aircraft for which the FAA has issued an experimental certificate under � (d), � (g), or � (i) of this chapter to operate as an exhibition aircraft, an amateur-built aircraft, or a light-sport aircraft when the maximum cruising speed of the aircraft does not exceed 180 knots CAS; ....

(c) Width. Characters must be two-thirds as wide as they are high, except the number “1”, which must be one-sixth as wide as it is high, and the letters “M” and “W” which may be as wide as they are high. [A 3" letter is to be 2" wide, with the "1" at 0.5" wide.]
(d) Thickness. Characters must be formed by solid lines one-sixth as thick as the character is high. [Line weight of 0.5".]
(e) Spacing. The space between each character may not be less than one-fourth of the character width. [Character spacing of 0.5".]
(f) If either one of the surfaces authorized for displaying required marks under �is large enough for display of marks meeting the size requirements of this section and the other is not, full size marks must be placed on the larger surface. If neither surface is large enough for full-size marks, marks as large as practicable must be displayed on the larger of the two surfaces. If no surface authorized to be marked by �is large enough for full-size marks, marks as large as practicable must be placed on the largest of the authorized surfaces. However, powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft must display marks at least 3 inches high.
(g) Uniformity. The marks required by this part for fixed-wing aircraft must have the same height, width, thickness, and spacing on both sides of the aircraft.
(h) After March 7, 1988, each operator of an aircraft penetrating an ADIZ or DEWIZ must display on that aircraft temporary or permanent nationality and registration marks at least 12 inches high.