(a) Aircraft and aircraft engines. Aircraft covered under §21.182 of this chapter must be identified, and each person who manufacturers an aircraft engine under a type or production certificate shall identify that engine, by means of a fireproof plate that has the information specified in §45.13 of this part marked on it by etching, stamping, engraving, or other approved method of fireproof marking. The identification plate for aircraft must be secured in such a manner that it will not likely be defaced or removed during normal service, or lost or destroyed in an accident. Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the aircraft identification plate must be secured to the aircraft fuselage exterior so that it is legible to a person on the ground, and must be either adjacent to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or on the fuselage surface near the tail surfaces. For aircraft engines, the identification plate must be affixed to the engine at an accessible location in such a manner that it will not likely be defaced or removed during normal service, or lost or destroyed in an accident.

(b) Propellers and propeller blades and hubs. Each person who manufactures a propeller, propeller blade, or propeller hub under the terms of a type or production certificate shall identify his product by means of a plate, stamping, engraving, etching, or other approved method of fireproof identification that is placed on it on a noncritical surface, contains the information specified in §45.13, and will not be likely to be defaced or removed during normal service or lost or destroyed in an accident.

(c) For manned free balloons, the identification plate prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section must be secured to the balloon envelope and must be located, if practicable, where it is legible to the operator when the balloon is inflated. In addition, the basket and heater assembly must be permanently and legibly marked with the manufacturer's name, part number (or equivalent) and serial number (or equivalent).

(d) On aircraft manufactured before March 7, 1988, the identification plate required by paragraph (a) of this section may be secured at an accessible exterior or interior location near an entrance, if the model designation and builder's serial number are also displayed on the aircraft fuselage exterior. The model designation and builder's serial number must be legible to a person on the ground and must be located either adjacent to and aft of the rear-most entrance door or on the fuselage near the tail surfaces. The model designation and builder's serial number must be displayed in such a manner that they are not likely to be defaced or removed during normal service.

[Amdt. 45-3, 32 FR 188, Jan. 10, 1967 as amended by Amdt. 45-7, 33 FR 14402, Sept. 25, 1968; Amdt. 45-12, 45 FR 60183, Sept. 11, 1980; 45 FR 85597, Dec. 29, 1980; Amdt. 45-17, 52 FR 34101, Sept. 9, 1987; 52 FR 36566, Sept. 30, 1987]