Changing aircraft registration?

[MichaelJP59]

How easy/expensive is it to change an aircraft's registration, probably to a more personalised one? Anyone done it?

Should say this is a G-reg aeroplane on a permit.

[Whopity]

Its all on the CAA Website (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=123&pagetype=90&pageid=134)Point to note is that once issued, you can't move it to another aircraft.

[MichaelJP59]

Thanks, apart from the charges, it also seems as though the aircraft might be grounded for a while until the paperwork is sorted.

[hatzflyer]

Its dead easy, I did mine.
Go to the CAA and ask for the one you want and make sure its available.. You then reserve the reg. Pay the fee to the CAA and then technically you are grounded because your LAA papers are invalid, but if you speak to the LAA office it is possible to get everything reissued within a week ( don't forget the new fireproof plate). There is a small charge for this.

All should take less than a week , speak to the LAA before you do it and they will advise you how long the re issue will take ( ie if the person that deals with it is on holiday for instance , you don't want the papers sitting on their desk for two weeks).

Pre order your nice shiny new vynal letters from any reputable signwriter and the world's you oyster! or whatever reg you want!

Edited for cost ...All in about £400 inc new vynal numbers

[IO540]

Just don't go for a flash looking callsign which is a real PITA to pronounce on the radio. I hear countless callsigns which were no doubt chosen to look funny on the ground but are hugely time wasting to read out :)

You will however find that most of the quick-to-read ones (which use one-syllable letters like e.g. ECHO) have already been taken.

[bartonflyer]

G-IIII always makes me chuckle when I hear them call G-four eyes!!

[Humaround]

If it's an RV, don't get G-**RV - it's a nightmare anywhere a fly-in and you will have to get used to not shortening the reg... Most of the good RV reg's have gone anyway.

[BillieBob]

....which use one-syllable letters like e.g. ECHOSorry, how long has ECH-OH been one syllable? In any case, personalised registrations, like car number plates, are usually a good indication of a fairly massive inferiority complex.

[hatzflyer]

In the past have used two methods on painted surface.
Very slow iether way, lots of delicate rubbing down with fine wet and dry with loads of soap followed by mild cutting compound, or you can try the oven cleaner that comes in the form of a sponge type pad. ( can't remember product name).

[hatzflyer]

3rd attempt at reply,
I have used fine wet and dry with loads of soap, followed by rubbing compound.
Dependant on paint, oven cleaner pads will work.
both are labour intensive.:ok:

[hatzflyer]

BilleBob, I had to chuckle when I read your last post, you are talking exactly what my reg says !
( Clue...They are round and dangle between your legs)

[MichaelJP59]

Pre order your nice shiny new vynal letters from any reputable signwriter and the world's you oyster! or whatever reg you want!

Edited for cost ...All in about £400 inc new vynal numbers

Thanks hatzflyer - any tips for cleanly removing the old letters off painted glassfibre? Repainting could add significantly to the £400!

[Sam Rutherford]

"You will however find that most of the quick-to-read ones (which use one-syllable letters like e.g. ECHO) have already been taken."

Sorry, can't let this one pass, the famous single syllable:

Ech-O
Charl-Ie
Hot-El
Os-Car

Brilliant! :D

[flybymike]

Well I suppose there might be about sixteen permutations of Golf and Mike.