Direct Final Rule Fixes N-Number Problems For PPC, WSC

October 1, 2007 — The FAA has remedied some unforeseen flaws in the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft Rule by issuing a direct final rule regarding the placement, orientation, and size of N-numbers for powered parachutes and weight-shift control light-sport aircraft.

Effective November 13th, 2007, N-numbers:

• Must be at least 3 inches high
• Can now be applied to non-structural surfaces
• And can be affixed in a horizontal or vertical (stacked) orientation.

The size clarification removes the vagueness of the rule that stated N-numbers were to be "as large as practicable." The placement change allows aircraft owners to place their N-number on a plate, fuselage pod, or other non-structural surface when there exists no suitable structural member on these types of aircraft. Vertical orientation also provides flexibility for some aircraft owners who otherwise lack a practical horizontal area to affix an N-number.