Every aircraft, from a small Cessna 172 to a massive Boeing 747, has a unique identifier – its tail number. For absolute beginners – think of it as the number plate of your car. Each car, irrespective of its manufacturer or model, has a number printed on it, assigned only to one unit. Similarly, the tail number for an aircraft is its unique identifier. Similar to a car, one aircraft may have more than one tail number during its lifetime, as it may be sold or leased to an owner in another province/state/country.
| Picture 1 – The Car | Picture 2 – The Aircraft | |
| Manufacturer | Ford | Boeing |
| Model | Explorer | 777-300ER |
| Identifier for the unit | QI75 DCY | EI-WLA |
Let’s look at the deets
Tail number, prominently displayed on the rear of the fuselage of an aircraft, is the legal name of the aircraft. It helps in registering, tracking, and identifying aircraft around the world. Tail numbers have become an integral part of aviation culture. Pilots often fondly remember the tail numbers of the planes they’ve flown, associating them with cherished flying memories and adventures. For aviation enthusiasts, known as “tailspotters,” identifying and tracking tail numbers is an engrossing hobby.
The rules governing these unique identifiers are decided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The first letter or letters indicate the country where the aircraft is registered, while the remaining digits and letters are chosen by the plane’s owner, basis availability.
Aircraft Tail Number Prefixes by Country
The first letter or letters of a tail number indicate the country where the aircraft is registered. Here is a comprehensive table of country prefixes:
| Country | Prefix |
| United States | N |
| Canada | C |
| Germany | D |
| United Kingdom | G |
| France | F |
| Japan | J |
| Australia | VH |
| Brazil | PR |
| India | VT |
| Russia | RA |
| China | B |
| Spain | EC |
| Italy | EI |
| Mexico | XA |
| South Africa | ZS |
| Switzerland | HB |
| Netherlands | PH |
| Sweden | SE |
| Belgium | OO |
| Austria | OE |
| Norway | LN |
| Denmark | OY |
| Finland | OH |
| Ireland | EI |
| Portugal | CS |
| Greece | SX |
| Turkey | TC |
| Israel | 4X |
| Saudi Arabia | HZ |
| United Arab Emirates | A6 |
| Singapore | 9V |
| Malaysia | 9M |
| Thailand | HS |
| Indonesia | PK |
| Philippines | RP |
| South Korea | HL |
| Taiwan | B |
So next time you’re at the airport, take a moment to look up at the tail of the next plane you see. That string of letters and numbers just might hold the key to unlocking the plane’s fascinating history.
I have the tail number. Where can I find the details of the aircraft?
While there are many sources for this, my personal favorite is Planespotters. Put in the tail number (without the hyphens, if any), and you will receive a detailed summary of the aircraft, including the aircraft model, airline, previous owners, age and much more.
Credits
- Picture 1 – The Car: Charlie
- Picture 2 – The Aircraft: Adam Moriera
- Cover: Aeroprints