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FAA Aircraft Registration API

FAA Aircraft Registration API

Of all the services we make available, the FAA aircraft registration API might be the oldest. It was set up as as part of an aircraft search engine at FlightPlanning.com in an era that predates the iPhone. At some point in forgotten history it was altered to return JSON rather than XML.. but this is about the only change the API ever saw since it was first built. Because of its age, it's one service that doesn't really deliver on features; it's purpose is to simply provide up-to-date registration details... and not much more. We've got the FAA API on a list of services that require an update.

Having an always up-to-date search feature means we an quickly and easily incorporate reliable data into client websites (normally places like flying schools that are trying to build a magnet-style resource). The service often integrates into our NTSB Accident Database.

Want access to this API? Like us on Facebook and it'll be made available to you.

While there are numerous features of the API - including expired, reserved, and dealer records - this article will show you how to conduct the most basic requests and searches.

The Result

All requests are made to https://api.beliefmedia.com/platform/sources/aircraft/faa/faa.json. An API key is required.

Single Registration Result

To query a single aircraft, do so via faa.json?apikey=xxxxx&id=N110EM (where the id is the aircraft registration). The returned result for the current version of the service is as follows:

1
Array
2
(
3
    [code] => 200
4
    [status] => 200
5
    [message] => OK
6
    [source] => BeliefMedia
7
    [api_version] => 0.2
8
    [data] => Array
9
        (
10
            [registration] => 10006
11
            [serial_number] => BG-72
12
            [manufacturer_model_code] => 1152020
13
            [engine_manufacturer_code] => 17026
14
            [year_manufacture] => 1955
15
            [unique_id] => 00480110
16
            [aircraft] => Array
17
                (
18
                    [manufacturer] => BEECH
19
                    [model] => D-45 (T-34B)
20
                    [type_aircraft] => Fixed wing single engine
21
                    [type_engine] => Reciprocating
22
                    [aircraft_category] => Land
23
                    [builder_certification] => Type Certificated
24
                    [number_engines] => 1
25
                    [number_seats] => 4
26
                    [aircraft_weight] => Up to 12,499
27
                )
28
 
29
            [details] => Array
30
                (
31
                    [mode_s_code] => 50003453
32
                    [mode_s_code_hex] => A0072B
33
                    [airworthiness_date] => 1971-09-09
34
                )
35
 
36
            [registrant] => Array
37
                (
38
                    [type_registrant] => Individual
39
                    [registrant_name] => COUTCHES ROBERT HERCULES DBA
40
                    [registrant_street_1] => 550 AIRWAY BLVD
41
                    [registrant_street_2] =>
42
                    [registrant_city] => LIVERMORE
43
                    [registrant_state] => CA
44
                    [registrant_zipcode] => 945519533
45
                    [registrant_county] => 001
46
                    [registrant_country] => US
47
                    [last_activity_date] => 2017-12-12
48
                    [certificate_issue_date] => 1998-08-26
49
                    [certification] => 1U
50
                    [expiration_date] => 2021-02-28
51
                    [registrant_region] => Western-Pacific
52
                    [fractional_ownership] => No
53
                    [other_names] => Array
54
                        (
55
                            [other_names_1] => AERO FLIGHT AVIATION
56
                        )
57
 
58
                    [status] => Valid Registration
59
                )
60
 
61
            [engine] => Array
62
                (
63
                    [engine_manufacture_model_code] => 17026
64
                    [engine_manufacturer_name] => CONT MOTOR
65
                    [engine_model_name] => O-470 SERIES
66
                    [engine_horsepower] => 230
67
                    [engine_pounds_thrust] =>
68
                    [type_engine] => Reciprocating
69
                )
70
 
71
        )
72
 
73
    [data_source] => FAA
74
    [last_update_check] => 2018-04-19
75
)

We record many fields regardless of whether there's a value or not. In some cases, such as when querying kit aircraft, those details are only returned when available. The response will change significantly with whatever upgrade takes place.

Browsing Results

The endpoint to browse results is as follows: faa.json?apikey=xxxxx&type=browse.

1
Array
2
(
3
    [code] => 200
4
    [status] => 200
5
    [message] => OK
6
    [source] => BeliefMedia
7
    [api_version] => 0.2
8
    [page] => 1
9
    [number] => 30
10
    [pages] => 9925
11
    [total] => 297739
12
    [search] => Array
13
        (
14
            [type] => browse
15
        )
16
 
17
    [results] => Array
18
        (
19
            [0] => Array
20
                (
21
                    [registration] => 1
22
                    [registrant] => Array
23
                        (
24
                            [registrant_name] => FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
25
                            [registrant_city] => OKLAHOMA CITY
26
                            [state] => OK
27
                        )
28
 
29
                    [aircraft] => Array
30
                        (
31
                            [manufacturer] => GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE
32
                            [model] => G-IV
33
                            [type_aircraft] => Fixed wing multi engine
34
                            [type_engine] => Turbo-fan
35
                            [aircraft_category] => Land
36
                            [builder_certification] => Type Certificated
37
                            [number_engines] => 2
38
                            [number_seats] => 22
39
                            [aircraft_weight] => 20,000 and over
40
                        )
41
 
42
                )
43
 
44
            [1] => Array
45
                (
46
                    [registration] => 100
47
                    [registrant] => Array
48
                        (
49
                            [registrant_name] => BENE MARY D
50
                            [registrant_city] => KETCHUM
51
                            [state] => OK
52
                        )
53
 
54
                    [aircraft] => Array
55
                        (
56
                            [manufacturer] => PIPER
57
                            [model] => J3C-65
58
                            [type_aircraft] => Fixed wing single engine
59
                            [type_engine] => Reciprocating
60
                            [aircraft_category] => Land
61
                            [builder_certification] => Type Certificated
62
                            [number_engines] => 1
63
                            [number_seats] => 2
64
                            [aircraft_weight] => Up to 12,499
65
                        )
66
 
67
                )
68
 
69
            [.. SNIP ..]

The number of results returned is determined by number, and the page is altered with the parameter of pg. The order of results is determined by order=asc or order=desc.

Searching Results

Searching results at this stage is rather limited. To search, query faa.json?apikey=xxxxx&type=search&search=n110 (where n110 is a partial registration). There are about 20 fields you may search upon but with a significant API change we'll refrain from sharing the details (searching won't be backwards compatible).

We also provide basic statistical results but the output will also change in a major way when we rebuild the service.

Considerations

  • To include thumbnail images for various third-party websites, use thumbs=yes in the URL request.
  • To include resolved NTSB accident/incident reports into the resulting JSON, include the parameter ntsb=yes.
  • Since we're rebuilding this feature, make contact with us if you would like to see any particular feature.
  • It's likely we'll rebuild our FlightPlanning website when we've ported over all the API features to the BM website. If you're an aviation fan, we have a number of Facebook pages and Twitter account you may be interested in following, with FLIGHT being the one we'd initially recommend.
  • Data is usually updated daily at 2am AEST. There may be up to 30 seconds of outage during this period. When updating, any request will be met with a 423 error code, and it's the only time this error is show.

■ ■ ■

 
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