finding out the registration

[in limbo]

I was wondering if anyone knows how to find out the registration of a plane that I was a passenger on?:confused:

[Globaliser]

If it was a movement at LHR or LGW, try http://www.lhr-lgw.co.uk/

[nwaflygirl]

http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/defimg.asp

This may help also.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/activepages/ccarcs/en/default_e.asp?x_lang=e

This one is for Canada

[PaperTiger]

An ACARS list from the departure or arrival regions is probably the best bet. There are a number of sites - do a google or post the from-&-to and date and I'll see if I can find it.

(To the security finger-waggers: yes, reggies are readily available on the web for most flights. Tut, tut, shock, horror !)

[in limbo]

Thanks to all for your input.
I have not been able to find it as of yet but will keep trying.

I am looking for a British Airways flight on the 15th of this month from JFK to LHR .18:30 local sked push time.
cheers
;)

[piston pete]

In limbo,
That sounds like the BA112 which was G-BYGB that day.

[in limbo]

It was 112!
How did you find that out?
Thanks very much!
IL

[Globaliser]

Flight number off the BA website timetable, aircraft registration off the site I gave you in my first post to this thread.

But there wasn't really much point my checking it: piston pete is 100% right, on the information you gave.

[Middle Seat]

Same question for an AA flight to CDG from JFK? How would I find that one?

[newswatcher]

I'm sorry but I cannot contain my curiosity any longer. Why do you need to know the REG, and why can't you read it on the aircraft, when it arrives at the stand?
:confused:

[piston pete]

In limbo,
I did exactly as Globaliser said. Well except I used Amadeus instead of the BA website.

Middle Seat - what date and flight number are you referring to?

[in limbo]

I was unable to see the reg from the gate area. First flight on a 747 and on BA for that matter. Able to find a picture of it on Airliners.net.
That's why.
cheers
IL;)

[Globaliser]

newswatcher: I'm sorry but I cannot contain my curiosity any longer. Why do you need to now the REG, and why can't you read it on the aircraft, when it arrives at the stand?I can't speak for in limbo, but I collect them for my passenger flying log. They are sometimes very difficult to see from the gate or even from the jetway.

Sometimes it's simply deepest night when you board and deepest night when you disembark.

The formal location of the registration mark (on the fuselage side, behind the wing) is also one of the most invisible locations from most terminals.

Over time, you slowly learn where all the repeater marks are for your regular aircraft types on your regular airlines, but sometimes you can't see the side of the nosegear door (for example) at any point between arriving in the gate area and getting on board. Also, BA removed the repeater marks from the top of the fin when moving to Utopia, and they have only just started re-appearing there in the last couple of years.

One positive thing though is that more BA aircraft are starting to have the registration visibly marked inside the aircraft, often by door 1 or door 2 - even if they are sometimes written on with felt tip pen. I imagine that this is because cabin or ground crew sometimes need to know and even they find it difficult to see the external marks.

[newswatcher]

Thanks for replies. After I posted, I realised that for "long haul" it is less likely that the REG can be seen from the lounge, since the aircraft is usually there for some time before pax are allowed into the lounge. For my usual short-haul, I always manage to see the incoming plane and its REG, even at night.

[EastMids]

Whilst it may make you appear a little geeky, cabin crew will in my experience ALWAYS find and advise the registration ("tail number" on US carriers) if you haven't been able to see it. If I haven't been able to find the info for myself when I board, when I board I usually say "what airplane are we on?" to which they reply "747" (or such). I then say "yes, but which 747 - you know, the tail number?" and they always help even if they don't know immediately. Most times I validate the information from the web, but its never been wrong. I have even had a flight attendant leave me a note with the tail number on it after I asked but fell asleep before she returned with the info. Also, if the gate agents are free for a moment before you board (don't waste their time if they are busy though), they have the information on their screens and will usually tell you which a/c too.

In over 1600 flights I have made, I have never failed to get a registration.

FWIW, on Airbus and Boeing narrow bodies either the manufacturers construction number (from which the registration can be worked out) or the registration itself is on a plate inside the foward door frame - just don't linger too long in that area or you will upset the other punters.

Andy

[Middle Seat]

piston pete: actually asked for future reference. I'm assuming that when I get to the gate to board, it will be dark, and won't be able to see the registration. I keep a flight log of sorts...sort of spotty in a few places, but none of my usual places to look include international departures.

Will ask a crew though. As its AA, its not likely the number will be posted anywhere on the aircraft, and I don't know the chances of catching it on arrival at CDG.

[SkySista]

even if they are sometimes written on with felt tip pen.

I recall someone making a thread about 'people scribbling on planes' in this forum.... the reasons given were as you stated... for ease of cabin crew filling out paperwork etc...

Also, it's sometimes handy to see if the airline you are flying on has a naming'rego "family"... e.g. Virgin Blue aircraft all (except for one in the past I believe, the red-nosed one) start with 'V'... most 737-700s are VB- while -800's are VO- or VU- (however there are some exceptions) it should also be possible to find the N number or rego if your aircraft has a name below the cockpit windows... :D

(I too like to know which a/c I am flying on, as well... just a little habit of mine... :))

[Clarence Oveur]

I was in a taxi the other day from Gare Du Nord to Etoile. Does anybody know where I can find the taxi's registration as I need it for my taxi passenger logbook.

[Hotel Tango]

Clarence ,

It was fleet number 137. And by the way, you gave a lousy tip!

[Middle Seat]

Piston Pete: AA 045 on 18 Oct.

[Iron City]

1. For U.S. reg commercial operations the a/c is required to have and display a certificate of airworthiness. On airliners it is posted by the flight deck door or by the port forward boarding door on the bulkhead or inside on the cabin wall.

2. You really should get out more

[HALFPINT]

Two private jets at Rome Ciampino registrations I-DEA and I-RONY
how can you find out who has the wit to own registrations like these?

[enicalyth]

Just tracing a friend in Oz after a while and found him easy-peasy through his rego.

You go to "Campaign Against Aviation" site (sorry, civil aviation authority, my little joke) for the country in question e.g. CASA in the land of the bouncy animals where I hail from or the CAA for the poms. Once on the site use the local search for "aircraft register". No secrets. All the names and no pack drill. Shock Horror! It's a disgrace innit?