…And The FAA Taketh Away “N” Numbers…

While you’re online checking out the new airman certificate, or updating your gender, it would be a mighty good time to update your address, as well. If you have an old address in the database, the feds warn that you’re in danger of losing your airplane’s “N” number. The FAA says having accurate addresses is a safety issue, so pilots can get Airworthiness Directives and safety and maintenance information. Ah, but what about homeland security? “Let’s just say that all modes of transportation have been impacted by security issues in the months since 9/11,” FAA spokesman Roland Herwig confirms to AVweb. Those pilots at risk of losing their “N” numbers will be posted on the FAA Web site. The feds get the names from a twice-yearly comparison of the aircraft registration database to the National Change of Address database and other databases. If any pilot address changes are noted, they send out a letter asking for confirmation. No confirmation and your name may go on the FAA Web site.