De Regestered Registration

[Dano"T"]

My dad gave me his old 40' J3 to re build and I found out the N Number has been reserved by someone else....he let the registration lapse....What the heck do I do now? N32746 has sentimental value....I learned to fly in that old crate 25+ years ago....I got my first ride in it when I was 2 yrs old. Any advice would be appreciated.

[lfries]

Re: De Regestered Registration

See if the FAA will reveal the person who has reserved the "N" number.
If they will contact them and tell them your story.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: De Regestered Registration

Just looked it up and it isn't a flying aircraft yet. The number is only on hold and was only assigned in October of 09. The reservation expires in October of 2011. Might still be able to get it back.
Hank

Look here

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N32746

[NY86]

Re: De Regestered Registration

I looked at the link that Hank posted. The reservation date is the same as the cancelation date on the J3 registration. The name of the reserving party is "CANCELLED/NOT ASSIGNED". My guess is there is a holding period during which they will not reissue it, sort of like the phone company with released numbers. My other guess is that if you contact the FAA they will allow you to reregister the plane with the same N number as before. Or not... Worth a try, though.

[Doc]

Re: De Regestered Registration

I also queried the FAA database. I would send a certified letter (with the application fee) to the Registration branch confirming that this aircraft is still in existence (and in your possession) asking that the registration be recognized / redesignated. If you are now the owner, I assume you sent in a change of ownership / Bill of Sale application. You might also contact your local FSDO for help on this. Doc

[Pearson]

Re: De Regestered Registration

If none of that works, I would try to find out who has that number reserved. They may have some emotional attachment to YOUR airplane. Why else would they want to reserve that number? If you could contact them and explain your situation, they may gladly let you have the number.

[Dano"T"]

Re: De Regestered Registration

If none of that works, I would try to find out who has that number reserved. They may have some emotional attachment to YOUR airplane. Why else would they want to reserve that number? If you could contact them and explain your situation, they may gladly let you have the number.

That's possible, but it's been in my family since the sixties. Someone may have had prior experience with it though. I am going to contact the FAA by phone on Monday....I think talking to someone will help rather than sending a letter....I am confident I can resolve this...then the real work begins. Lots of corrosion on the longerons and the wings don't look real great inside either.....I do have a freshly overhauled A65 ready to on her though. Is there such a thing as too many airplanes?....

[Ray36048]

Re: De Regestered Registration

Every now and then, the FAA sends a card asking about the aircraft status. I would think of these are not returned for many years, they may think the aircraft is gone.

[Garry Crookham]

Re: De Regestered Registration

Ray is correct, the FAA's Aircraft Registration Branch sends out the "Triennial Aircraft Registration Report" to owners of aircraft that show no activity with the registration branch within the last three years (no address change, name change, change of ownership, etc). If all the info on the report is correct, the owner does nothing. If there are changes the owner returns the form to the FAA with the corrections.
The catch is that if the aircraft owner has changed his/her mailing address without notifying the FAA the report will be returned to the FAA as undeliverable. The FAA will try three times to send the report and if each time it is returned as undeliverable, the registration for that aircraft, at some point in time, will be cancelled and the N number will be marked as unassigned.
Changing the mailing address on your pilot certificate will not change the mailing address on your aircraft registration...there are two separate branches involved, the Aircraft Certification Branch, and the Airmen Certification Branch.
When performing an annual inspection the first step I take is to check the status of the aircraft's registration (go to FAA.gov). If the status is questionable (address doesn't match the owners current address or status marked "undel tri" ) I inform the owner that some action needs to be taken to insure the registration remains in effect, usually an updated address.
The Registration Branch has indicated to me that an N number will not be reassigned for a period of two years after the cancellation of the registration.


Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa

[Dano"T"]

Re: De Regestered Registration

The prolem is the plane was brought to my dad's shop in 1999 where it sat awaiting restoration....His address had changed and he was unaware of attempts by the FAA to contact him....I just looked it up in order to change ownership. My dad wants all 5 of our planes to be registered to me. I think it's a good thing I looked it up when I did...I believe there is still a chance.

[mikeg]

Re: De Regestered Registration

The prolem is the plane was brought to my dad's shop in 1999 where it sat awaiting restoration....His address had changed and he was unaware of attempts by the FAA to contact him....I just looked it up in order to change ownership. My dad wants all 5 of our planes to be registered to me. I think it's a good thing I looked it up when I did...I believe there is still a chance.

Pick up the phone and call the Aircraft Registry. They are very helpful people and will help you get to the bottom of the issue. Been there, done that.
Mikeg