What the FAA's codes mean
The FAA's files describe each aircraft with short codes. This is every code in the FAA's layout guide (dated May 8, 2025), written out. The site applies these translations automatically, so you only need this page if you are reading the FAA's raw files yourself.
Registration status
The most important field. "V" is the one you want to see.
ATriennial registration form was mailed and has not been returned by the Post OfficeDExpired dealerERegistration certificate revoked by enforcement actionMValid, assigned to the manufacturer under its dealer certificateNNon-citizen corporation that has not returned its flight-hour reportsRRegistration pendingSSecond triennial registration form mailed, not returnedTValid registration from a traineeVValid registrationWRegistration certificate deemed ineffective or invalidXEnforcement letterZPermanent reserved1Triennial form returned by the Post Office as undeliverable2N-number assigned but not yet registered3N-number assigned as a non-type-certificated aircraft, not yet registered4N-number assigned as an import, not yet registered5Reserved N-number6Administratively canceled7Sale reported8Second attempt to mail the triennial form, no response9Registration certificate revoked10N-number assigned, not registered, pending cancellation11N-number assigned as amateur-built, not registered, pending cancellation12N-number assigned as an import, not registered, pending cancellation13Registration expired14First notice for re-registration or renewal15Second notice for re-registration or renewal16Registration expired, pending cancellation17Sale reported, pending cancellation18Sale reported, canceled19Registration pending, pending cancellation20Registration pending, canceled21Revoked, pending cancellation22Revoked, canceled23Expired dealer, pending cancellation24Third notice for re-registration or renewal25First notice for registration renewal26Second notice for registration renewal27Registration expired28Third notice for registration renewal29Registration expired, pending cancellation
Airworthiness certificate class
Whether the aircraft is approved to fly and on what basis.
1Standard2Limited3Restricted4Experimental5Provisional6Multiple7Primary8Special flight permit9Light sport
Experimental certificate purposes
What an experimental aircraft is allowed to be flown for.
0To show compliance with regulations1Research and development2Amateur built3Exhibition4Racing5Crew training6Market survey7Operating kit-built aircraft8ARegistered before Jan 31, 20088BOperating light-sport kit-built8COperating light-sport previously certificated9AUnmanned aircraft, research and development9BUnmanned aircraft, market survey9CUnmanned aircraft, crew training9DUnmanned aircraft, exhibition9EUnmanned aircraft, compliance with regulations
Type of aircraft
1Glider2Balloon3Blimp or dirigible4Fixed-wing, single engine5Fixed-wing, multi-engine6Rotorcraft7Weight-shift control8Powered parachute9GyroplaneHHybrid liftOOther
Type of engine
Code 10, electric, is how this site finds electric aircraft.
0None1Piston (reciprocating)2Turboprop3Turboshaft4Turbojet5Turbofan6Ramjet7Two-cycle piston8Four-cycle piston9Unknown10Electric11Rotary
Type of owner
Who the aircraft is registered to.
1Individual2Partnership3Corporation4Co-owned5Government7LLC8Non-citizen corporation9Non-citizen co-owned
Standard certificate categories
NNormalUUtilityAAcrobaticTTransportGGliderBBalloonCCommuterOOther
Restricted certificate purposes
0Other1Agriculture and pest control2Aerial surveying3Aerial advertising4Forest5Patrolling6Weather control7Carriage of cargo
Special flight permit reasons
1Ferry flight for repairs, alterations, maintenance or storage2Evacuate from area of impending danger3Operation in excess of maximum certificated4Delivery or export5Production flight testing6Customer demo
Light sport categories
AAirplaneGGliderLLighter than airPPowered parachuteWWeight-shift control
Weight class
Rarely filled in.
1Up to 12,499 lb212,500 to 19,999 lb320,000 lb and over4Unmanned, up to 55 lb
Documents
Legal paperwork indexed against a tail number.
BOSBill of sale (evidence of ownership)S/ALoan or lien (security agreement)RELLoan releaseREPRepossessionCSCEvidence of ownership with lienDISDisclaimerCRTCourt documents
Tail number reservations
AAReserved, no feeAFee paid, expiration notice sentHDTwo-year hold for canceled N-numbersFNFee paid, expiration notice sentFPFee paidMFReserved to manufacturer, no fee, no expirationMTReserved to manufacturer, temporary numberNCN-number change in processNNN-number change in process, expiration notice sentCNN-number change, expiration notice sentCEN-number change expired
FAA region
1Eastern2Southwestern3Central4Western-Pacific5Alaskan7Southern8EuropeanCGreat LakesENew EnglandSNorthwest Mountain