Aircraft Identification

FAR 21.182 — Aircraft Identification

FAR 21.182 requires aircraft seeking an airworthiness certificate to be identified per §45.11, with limited exceptions for special flight permits and certain experimentals.

In Plain English

FAR 21.182 sets the identification requirement an aircraft must meet before the FAA will issue most airworthiness certificates. In short: if you're applying for an airworthiness certificate under Subpart H, you must show your aircraft is identified as prescribed in §45.11 — meaning it carries a proper identification plate with the manufacturer's name, model, and serial number, attached in the manner that part 45 requires.

There are a few situations where this identification rule does not apply:

A special flight permit (ferry permit).
An experimental certificate — except when issued for amateur-built, primary kit-built, or light-sport operations (those still must comply).
A change from one airworthiness classification to another, if the aircraft was already identified per §45.11.

Why it matters operationally: the ID plate is how inspectors, mechanics, and the FAA tie your aircraft to its type design, maintenance records, and registration. Without proper identification, you generally can't get an airworthiness certificate — and without that, you can't legally fly the aircraft.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 21.182

§ 21.182 Aircraft identification. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each applicant for an airworthiness certificate under this subpart must show that his aircraft is identified as prescribed in § 45.11. (b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to applicants for the following: (1) A special flight permit. (2) An experimental certificate for an aircraft not issued for the purpose of operating amateur-built aircraft, operating primary kit-built aircraft, or operating light-sport aircraft. (3) A change from one airworthiness classification to another, for an aircraft already identified as prescribed in § 45.11. [Amdt. 21-13, 32 FR 188, Jan. 10, 1967, as amended by Amdt. 21-51, 45 FR 60170, Sept. 11, 1980; Amdt. 21-70, 57 FR 41368, Sept. 9, 1992; Amdt. 21-85, 69 FR 44862, July 27, 2004] Link to an amendment published at 90 FR 35206, July 24, 2025.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Before the FAA issues an airworthiness certificate, how must the aircraft be identified?

Per FAR 21.182, the applicant must show the aircraft is identified as prescribed in §45.11 — typically by a fireproof identification plate showing the manufacturer, model, and serial number.

Q2Are there any airworthiness applications that don't require §45.11 identification?

Yes. FAR 21.182(b) exempts applications for a special flight permit, certain experimental certificates (other than amateur-built, primary kit-built, or light-sport), and a change of airworthiness classification for an aircraft already identified under §45.11.

Q3If an aircraft already identified per §45.11 is being moved from one airworthiness classification to another, does it need to be re-identified?

No. Under FAR 21.182(b)(3), the identification requirement does not apply to a change from one airworthiness classification to another when the aircraft is already identified as prescribed in §45.11.

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Related Sections in Part 21

§ 21.1

Certification Procedures

§ 21.101

Type Certificate Changes