When I decided to sell my RV-14A in early 2025, the buyer and I agreed that I would keep the N662F tail number and he would change the airplane to N662E. When (if) I bought a new plane I would change its N Number to N662F. The reasoning was that I owned the domain name 662Fox.com, and had the g-mail alias 662Fox@gmail.com. Even the license plate on one of my cars was 662Fox.
How hard could it be to make a simple swap of N numbers?
Well, the answer is that the FAA found a way to make it a torturous ordeal. It would take about six months and dozens of phone calls and e-mails. I sent them about $70 (it should have cost $20, but they beat an extra $50 out of me just to keep the process moving forward).
First, I had to reserve the new N Number for my old plane (N662E) — that was $10. Then they said I had to request it be transferred to the new owner — $10. Then they said the new owner had to request it –$10. Then I had to request the old number (N662F) –$10. Then I had to release the existing number on my new plane (N10LP) –$10. I actually sent them $10 a couple more times because they said they weren’t sure that another agent would see the previous payments and would reject my request.
This sounds like it should take a solid two weeks — but it took six months. Every transaction has to be processed which takes about 30 days. Not to worry though, the FAA has a new portal that you can use to do this online. Except it doesn’t really work and the agents will tell you they hate it even more than I do.
So, it has now been nine months. The transfer is mostly approved. The only step left is to have the local FSDO approve my new air worthiness certificate that shows the new N number. This is done by one guy who works remotely and takes two to three weeks to reply to e-mails.
