Aircraft nationality and registration marks [Annex 7]

Aircraft nationality and registration marks

The Annex 7 of the Chicago Convention covers Aircraft Nationality and Registration Marks. It only contains standards and no recommended practices. It is assigned by the state of registration or a common mark registering authority.

For heavier than Air Aircraft the required markings are to appear on the lower surface (underside) of the wing and the fuselage between the wings and the tail.

The markings on the wings are to be at least 50cm high, and on the fuselage and vertical surfaces, 30cm high.



Exclusions

Certain combinations of letters are not permitted to be used as registration letters or parts of a registration mark. These include;

- SOS
- PAN
- XXX
- TTT
- ‘Q’ codes
- 5 letter combinations of the international Code of Signals

Certificate of Registration

The certificate of registration is an official document certifying that the State of Registry has registered an aircraft. The certificate is to be carried in the aircraft at all times. The certificate contains:

- Nationality or Common mark
- Registration mark
- Manufacturer’s designation of the aircraft
- Serial number of the aircraft
- Name and address of the owner
- A certificate that it has been entered on the register of the State

According to Annex 7, an ‘aircraft’ is any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface.

An ‘heavier-than-air aircraft’ is any aircraft deriving it’s lift in flight chiefly from aerodynamic forces.

The "Common Mark"

It replaces the nationality mark when the aircraft is owned by an operator registered in more than one country.

A common mark is selected from a series of symbols included in the radio call signs allocated to ICAO by the ITU (international telecommunication union).

ICAO will assign the common mark to a common mark registering authority.