Canadian Aviation Regulations

202.03 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the nationality mark in respect of a Canadian aircraft is the letter “C” and the registration mark in respect of the aircraft is a combination of four letters specified by the Minister.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), where an aircraft was registered in Canada before January 1, 1974 or is a vintage aircraft,

• (a) the nationality mark in respect of the aircraft is the letters “CF” and the registration mark in respect of the aircraft is a combination of three letters specified by the Minister; or

• (b) the nationality mark in respect of the aircraft is the letter “C” and the registration mark in respect of the aircraft is a combination of four letters specified by the Minister.

(3) Where the owner of an aircraft, other than a vintage aircraft, that has the letters “CF” as its nationality mark and a combination of three letters as its registration mark repaints the aircraft, the owner shall, prior to operating the aircraft, change the nationality mark to the letter “C” and the registration mark to the letter “F” followed by the combination of three letters.

(4) Where the owner of an aircraft changes its marks pursuant to subsection (3) or the owner of a vintage aircraft changes its nationality mark from “C” to “CF” or from “CF” to “C”, followed by the appropriate registration mark, the owner shall, prior to operating the aircraft, notify the Minister in writing of the change, and the Minister shall change the marks accordingly in the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register and issue a new registration certificate to reflect the change.