What is an ICAO24 hex code?

An ICAO24 (Mode-S address) is a unique 24-bit hexadecimal code permanently assigned to an aircraft by its country of registration. It is broadcast via ADS-B and used by air traffic systems worldwide. US aircraft start with 'a', UK with '4', Germany with '3c'.

How do I find an aircraft's tail number?

The tail number (registration) is painted on the aircraft fuselage. In the US they start with 'N'. You can also extract it from live ADS-B data — SkyLink's ADS-B endpoint returns the registration alongside each aircraft's live position.

What data does an aircraft registration lookup return?

The response includes ICAO24 hex, registration, manufacturer, model, operator, country of registration, year of manufacture, serial number (MSN), aircraft category, and a photo URL where available.

⚠ Not for operational use — for reference and development purposes only

Aircraft Registry

Registration & ICAO24 Lookup

Search any aircraft by tail number (N-number) or ICAO24 transponder code. Instant access to type, operator, and registration data.

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Registration

ICAO24 Hex

Manufacturer

Model / Type

Operator

Country

Year Built

Serial No.

Registration vs ICAO24

Every aircraft has two primary identifiers. The registration (tail number) is painted on the fuselage — N-numbers for the US, G- for the UK, D- for Germany. The ICAO24 hex code is the Mode-S transponder address broadcast via ADS-B.

SkyLink lets you query either identifier and automatically returns both, along with full aircraft metadata and photos where available.

Full API Reference →

GET /aircraft/registration/N12345
GET /aircraft/icao24/a4f23c

// Response
{
  "registration": "N12345",
  "icao24": "a4f23c",
  "manufacturer": "Boeing",
  "model": "737-800",
  "operator": "Southwest Airlines",
  "country": "United States",
  "year_built": 2005,
  "photo_url": "https://..."
}

Frequently Asked Questions

A unique 24-bit hex code permanently assigned to each aircraft by its country of registration, broadcast via ADS-B. US aircraft start with 'a', UK with '4', Germany with '3c'.

Tail numbers are painted on the fuselage. You can also find them from live ADS-B data — SkyLink's ADS-B endpoint includes the registration alongside each aircraft's position.

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Registration & ICAO24 Lookup

Registration vs ICAO24

Frequently Asked Questions

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