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I recently hired Craig Barnett  (www.schemedesigners.com) to "spice-up" my most recent paint scheme on my Lancair 360.  Craig was a bit concerned about the size of the N-number I wanted (3-inch) so I visited the FAA site containing the most recent FARs (http://www.faa.gov/avr/AFS/FARS/FAR_IDX.HTM) and found the following language:

"Sec. 45.29  Size of marks.
...   (iii) Marks at least 3 inches high may be displayed on an aircraft for
 which an experimental certificate has been issued under Sec. 21.191(d) or
 21.191(g) for operating as an exhibition aircraft or as an amateur-built
 aircraft when the maximum cruising speed of the aircraft does not exceed 180
 knots CAS; and..."

As you can see, the FAR clearly states Calibrated Airspeed (CAS) and not True Airspeed (TAS).  Since my Lancair's maximum CRUISING speed does not exceed 180 CAS (but will/may exceed 180 knots TAS), I believe that 3-inch letters should be fine and legal for the Lancair two-place series, Legacy probably not included.

Rick Argente

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
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