What you're seeing is not the "normal" data plate. It is the
mandated plate so they can tell whether you're a drug runner or
not. The manufacturer's data plate is elsewhere.

Don't ask how that plate on the outside of the fuselage keeps you from
being a drug runner, but that's why it's there. It's like the big N-numbers.

Drug runners wouldn't dare alter those things - that would be illegal.


In article , "Carl Orton"
wrote:
I'm looking at a certificated aircraft for purchase.

One thing I noticed was that the "normal" engraved metal manufacturer's data
plate that's usually located under the horizontal stabilizer is missing. In
its place is an engraved plastic plate with the serial number, model number,
etc - the kind of engraved plastic you think of for office nameplates.

Is this legal? Warning flags? Is this the *only* location of official
serial number documentation?

Thanks;
Carl