Frequently Asked Questions

An N-number is the unique registration number assigned to aircraft registered in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All U.S.-registered aircraft display an N-number beginning with the letter "N" followed by up to 5 alphanumeric characters — for example, N12345 or N1A. It's the aviation equivalent of a license plate.

Prices vary based on length and desirability. Short 2-character N-numbers (the most premium) typically range from $25,000 to $100,000+. Three-character numbers range from $2,000 to $25,000. Four and five character vanity numbers range from $500 to $5,000. The FAA itself only charges a $10 reservation fee — the premium reflects scarcity and demand.

Shorter N-numbers are easier to communicate on the radio, look cleaner on the fuselage, and are increasingly scarce. A pilot repeats their N-number hundreds of times during every flight — a short, memorable number like N1A or N23 is far more practical than N12345. They're also a genuine status symbol in the aviation community.

N-numbers must follow FAA formatting rules: they start with "N" followed by 1 to 5 characters. The first character after N must be a digit (1-9). The letters I and O are not used (to avoid confusion with 1 and 0). Numbers 1 through 99 are reserved for FAA use. You can check availability on the FAA registry website, or browse our inventory of over 4,000 premium numbers already reserved and ready for immediate transfer.

After purchasing an N-number, the seller provides a signed relinquish and transfer letter. You sign this letter and mail it to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch (AFS-750, P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, OK 73125) along with a $10 fee per number. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. See our full transfer guide →

Reserved N-numbers must be renewed every 12 months with the FAA at a cost of $10 per number. If not renewed, the number becomes available for anyone to reserve. N-numbers assigned to registered aircraft do not expire as long as the aircraft registration remains active.

We currently list over 4,000 premium N-numbers available for purchase. Our database is updated daily to reflect the latest availability. New numbers become available regularly as reservations expire or aircraft are deregistered.

We can work directly with the FAA and our network of holders to source specific numbers. Contact us with your desired N-number and we'll check availability and provide options. Many desirable numbers are held privately and may be available through negotiation.

N-Number.org is an aggregator and broker of FAA aircraft registration numbers. We provide a unified marketplace to find premium N-numbers that are otherwise scattered across many different websites, private holders, and FAA records. All N-number data originates from public FAA records and publicly listed inventory. We work with holders and sellers across the aviation community to connect buyers with the right number. Think of us as a one-stop shop for the N-number market.