An aircraft data plate is the fireproof identification plate that ties an aircraft, engine, or propeller to its type design and records. This guide covers the 14 CFR Part 45 rules, the information a plate carries, material choices, placement, and a practical ordering checklist.
Hallmark Nameplate has manufactured identification products for more than 60 years in Mount Dora, Florida, and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and ITAR registration. You will also see where the aerospace industry draws the line between a regulated data plate and a general nameplate.
Start with what the plate is, then move to the rules that shape every other decision.
Key Takeaways
- Fireproof by rule: aircraft, engine, and most propeller plates must use an approved fireproof marking method under 14 CFR 45.11.
- Content comes from 14 CFR 45.13: builder name, model designation, serial number, and type and production certificate numbers where applicable.
- Placement is regulated: the aircraft plate generally sits on the fuselage exterior, legible from the ground, and not on removable parts.
- Material follows the specification: stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and MetalPhoto each fit different programs.
- Replacement is controlled: plates are not moved between products, and replacements go through the manufacturer with FAA involvement.
What Is an Aircraft Data Plate?
An aircraft data plate is a permanent, regulated identification plate that carries the legal identity of an aircraft or major component. It is not a branding element, and its content, construction, and handling are set by airworthiness rules rather than by the plate supplier.
The same family of rules also covers engine data plates, propeller data plates, and part-level markings such as PMA, TSO, and critical-part identification. Each item follows its own paragraph of 14 CFR Part 45.
A general nameplate is different, because the manufacturer largely decides its content. Aerospace equipment often carries both a regulated data plate and additional aviation nameplates and labels for subsystems.
Aircraft Data Plate Requirements Under 14 CFR Part 45
The core requirements sit in 14 CFR 45.11 and 14 CFR 45.13: a fireproof plate, attached so it resists defacement and removal, carrying the prescribed identification data. The plate must also survive loss or destruction in an accident.
FAA Advisory Circular 45-2E explains how the FAA applies these rules, including what counts as an approved method and how plates are handled during maintenance. It defines fireproof as the ability to withstand fire-related heat at least as well as steel.
Plates installed by the manufacturer are not removed or altered without FAA approval, except during maintenance under Part 43. A plate removed in maintenance goes back on the same product, and plates from scrapped aircraft or engines are not an acceptable source.
Treat this section as general education, because the governing document for any specific aircraft is its type design and the current regulation text.
Required Information on an Aircraft Data Plate
Under 14 CFR 45.13, the plate carries the builder name, model designation, and builder serial number, plus the type certificate and production certificate numbers where they apply. Engine plates add the engine’s established rating.
Certain engines covered by 14 CFR Part 34 also carry a manufacture date and an approved emissions designation. The FAA may require other information it considers appropriate for a given product.
What the plate does not need
The tail number is not a required field on the data plate, because registration marks follow separate rules in Subpart C of Part 45. Amateur-built aircraft have a reduced data set, as the EAA data plate guidance explains.
Part-level markings
Section 45.15 covers PMA articles, TSO articles, and critical parts with replacement times or inspection intervals. Parts too small to mark may carry the information on the part or its container.
Materials and Marking Methods for Fireproof Data Plates
Stainless steel is the most direct fit for the fireproof requirement, because the FAA benchmark is steel. Anodized aluminum and photosensitive anodized aluminum are used where weight matters and the governing specification accepts them.
Stainless steel
Grades 304 and 316 are common choices, and etching or engraving produces marks that are part of the metal itself. See our overview of stainless steel nameplates for finish and thickness options.
Anodized aluminum
Aluminum alloys such as 3003 and 6061 balance weight, strength, and corrosion resistance, and anodizing hardens the surface. Review the program specification for fireproof acceptance before selecting an aluminum-based plate; the aluminum nameplates page covers the base material.
MetalPhoto
MetalPhoto is photosensitive anodized aluminum with the image formed beneath the anodic surface, which supports fine text and machine-readable codes. The types of custom metal nameplates guide compares it with other metal options.
Marking method matters as much as the substrate, because etched, engraved, and sub-surface images tend to outlast surface-applied inks. Confirm the method is listed as approved for the item you are marking.
Aircraft Identification Plate Location and Placement
The aircraft plate generally mounts on the fuselage exterior where it is legible to a person on the ground, either next to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or near the tail surfaces. This comes directly from 14 CFR 45.11.
Placement exceptions exist for aircraft built before March 7, 1988, balloons, gliders, and powered parachutes. Check paragraph 6.2 and Table 1 of the advisory circular for the specific category.
Engine and propeller placement
An engine data plate goes where it is accessible and unlikely to be lost or destroyed in an accident. Propellers, blades, and hubs carry marking on a non-critical surface, and fixed-pitch wooden propellers are excepted from the fireproof requirement.
Where plates do not belong
Plates are not mounted on inspection covers, access doors, removable fairings, or parts commonly removed in maintenance. Installers should also keep the plate clear of paint and coatings, as covered in our guide to maintaining metal nameplates.
Aircraft Data Plate Ordering and Replacement Checklist
Ordering starts with the governing specification, not the plate: confirm the required content, approved marking method, and placement before artwork is drawn. For a replacement, begin with the original manufacturer and the local FAA office.
For a new plate
- Identify the governing document. Use the type design, drawing, or contract callout.
- List required data. Cross-check against 14 CFR 45.13 and any program requirements.
- Select material and method. Match the fireproof requirement and service environment.
- Approve a proof. Compare every character against the source data.
- Record traceability. Keep inspection and installation records with the product.
For a replacement plate
The advisory circular directs owners to obtain replacements from the manufacturer with FAA assistance through the FSDO or MIDO. Programs under defense contracts may add military and defense nameplate marking requirements, and the applicable standard should be confirmed before artwork.
Regulated programs also affect where work can be done; for background, see what ITAR compliance means for identification suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aircraft Data Plates
What is an aircraft data plate?
An aircraft data plate is the fireproof identification plate required on an aircraft, engine, or propeller under 14 CFR Part 45. It establishes the legal identity of the item and links it to its type certificate, records, and airworthiness status.
What does 14 CFR Part 45 require on an aircraft data plate?
Section 45.13 requires the builder name, model designation, and builder serial number, plus type and production certificate numbers where applicable. Engines also carry an established rating, and certain Part 34 engines add a manufacture date and emissions designation.
What makes a data plate fireproof?
The FAA treats fireproof as the ability to withstand fire-related heat at least as well as steel. Stainless steel is the common benchmark material, and other materials depend on acceptance under the governing specification and FAA-approved data.
Where is the aircraft identification plate location?
On most aircraft, the plate is on the fuselage exterior, legible from the ground, next to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or near the tail surfaces. It is not placed on inspection covers, access doors, or other parts commonly removed in maintenance.
What is the difference between an engine data plate and a propeller data plate?
An engine data plate is a fireproof plate that carries the identification data plus the engine rating, and it sits in an accessible location protected from loss in an accident. Propeller, blade, and hub marking goes on a non-critical surface using an approved fireproof method such as a plate, stamping, engraving, or etching.
What material is used for aircraft data plates?
Stainless steel and aluminum-based materials are the most common, including anodized aluminum and MetalPhoto. The right choice depends on the fireproof requirement, weight, and the marking method the specification approves.
Can a damaged or missing aircraft data plate be replaced?
Yes, but through a controlled process rather than a reorder from any source. The FAA advises obtaining a replacement from the manufacturer with FAA assistance, and plates from scrapped aircraft are not an acceptable source.
What is the difference between an aircraft data plate and a nameplate?
A nameplate is a general identification plate whose content the manufacturer largely determines. An aircraft data plate is regulated, and its content, construction, attachment, and handling follow airworthiness rules.
Conclusion: Specifying an Aircraft Data Plate
An aircraft data plate is defined by regulation first and by material second. The strongest specifications state the required data, the approved marking method, the fireproof basis, and the placement together.
- Start with the type design and the current text of 14 CFR 45.11 and 45.13.
- Confirm fireproof acceptance for the material you plan to use.
- Choose an approved marking method suited to the service environment.
- Verify placement against the rules for your aircraft category.
- Route replacements through the manufacturer and the FAA.
For a broader view of identification options, read the Complete Guide to Custom Nameplates or browse the industries Hallmark Nameplate supports. Related background is also in how the aerospace industry uses labels, why product identification matters, and metal nameplate options.
