Commonwealth Numbered Regulations

1988 NO. 158 CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS - REG 16

16. (1) The nationality mark of an Australian aircraft is the symbol "VH-".

(2) The registration mark of an Australian aircraft is a group of 3 letters,
being the letters assigned to the aircraft on its registration.

(3) Subject to subregulation (4) the Authority shall, at the request of a
person who intends to register an aircraft, reserve for a period not exceeding
12 months a group of 3 letters that is not in use as an aircraft registration
mark.

(4) The Authority may refuse to reserve a group of 3 letters the use of which
is prohibited by a convention to which Australia is a party or is, for any
other reason, undesirable.

(5) A group of 3 letters that has been reserved under subregulation (3) shall
not, while so reserved, be assigned to an aircraft as a registration mark
otherwise than at the request of the person upon whose request the group of 3
letters was reserved.

(6) An Australian aircraft shall bear the nationality mark and its
registration mark as required by this Division.

(7) An Australian aircraft shall carry, secured to the aircraft in a permanent
position near the main entrance, a plate of fireproof metal or other fireproof
material of suitable physical properties inscribed with the nationality mark
and registration mark of the aircraft and with such other details as the
Authority requires to give effect to the Convention.

(8) The nationality mark and the registration mark of an Australian aircraft:

   (a)  shall be affixed on the aircraft by painting or by any other means
        that ensures a similar degree of permanency; and

   (b)  shall be clean and visible at all times.