The short answer
An N-number purge date is the day the FAA is scheduled to release a reserved tail back to the public if the holder doesn't renew. It's a scheduled release, not a guarantee — the holder can renew up to that date — so the purge date is the day to check whether a tail actually became available.
What a purge date is
Most reserved N-numbers carry a purge date in the FAA's data. It marks when the reservation is scheduled to end. If it isn't renewed by then, the tail is released and becomes available to anyone. Purge dates come from a few sources:
- Fee-paid reservations that lapse when the $10 annual renewal isn't paid.
- Post-cancellation holds ending — the FAA holds a cancelled aircraft's tail before releasing it.
- In-process N-number changes that expired without being completed.
How to claim a tail on its purge date
- 1
Find one that's freeing up.
Browse reserved tails by the month they're scheduled to release, and pick one you want.
- 2
Check it on the purge date.
The holder can renew up to the last minute, so confirm the tail actually released before you file.
- 3
Reserve it fast.
If it's available, reserve it with the FAA for $10/year. Desirable tails get re-reserved quickly.
- 4
Renew annually.
Keep the reservation alive with the $10 yearly renewal until you assign it to an aircraft.
See what's freeing up
Maggneto publishes a browsable calendar of reserved N-numbers by the month they're scheduled to be released, refreshed daily from FAA data — the only place to see purge dates by month across the whole reserved list.
Browse N-numbers freeing up by month, or check a specific tail on the availability checker.
Note: A purge date is a scheduled release, not an official FAA determination that a tail is available. Always confirm status with the FAA before filing.
See which N-numbers are freeing up
Browse reserved tails by the month they're scheduled to free up — updated daily from FAA data.
Frequently asked questions
What is an N-number purge date?
A purge date is the day the FAA is scheduled to release a reserved N-number back to the public if the current holder doesn't renew the reservation. It applies to reservations that have lapsed or are about to, cancelled-aircraft holds that are ending, and expired in-process N-number changes.
Does a purge date guarantee the N-number becomes available?
No. The holder can renew the reservation right up to the purge date, and many do. Treat the purge date as the day to check: if it wasn't renewed, the tail is released and anyone can reserve it.
How do I claim an N-number on its purge date?
Check the tail's status on or just after the purge date. If it's been released, reserve it with the FAA for $10 a year. Popular tails get re-reserved fast, so acting on the day matters.
How many N-numbers free up each month?
Typically two to four thousand. Most are lapsing fee-paid reservations; the rest are post-cancellation holds ending and in-process N-number changes that expired.
Where can I see which N-numbers are freeing up?
Maggneto publishes a browsable calendar of reserved N-numbers by the month they're scheduled to be released, built from the FAA's daily reserved-list data. It's the only place to see purge dates by month across the whole reserved list.