How can I identify an aircraft with this API?
Three ways: GET /lookup?tail= resolves an FAA N-number, GET /icao/:hex resolves a 6-character ICAO 24-bit address, and GET /type/:code returns details for an aircraft type designator like B737.
Aircraft API
FAA Registry
ICAO Hex
Type Lookup
Tail number in. Aircraft out.
Resolve FAA tail numbers, ICAO hex codes, and aircraft type codes into registration and aircraft details. Clean JSON with correlation IDs on every request.
3 · lookup keysFAA · registration sourceICAO · hex resolutionJSON · responses
Look up an aircraft.
This calls the live Aircraft API. Resolve by FAA tail number, ICAO hex code, or aircraft type designator.
Request builder
Three ways to identify an aircraft.
GET /aircraft/type
Aircraft type designator. Try B737 or A320.
Registration and details
Tail lookups return FAA registration data; type lookups return category and seating. A batch endpoint is on the roadmap.
Output preview
Live response from the API, plus the exact request to reproduce it.
Looking up aircraft...
Why Aircraft API
Aircraft identity, three ways.
FAA tail lookups
Resolve N-number tail registrations into manufacturer, model, owner, and year straight from FAA registry data.
ICAO hex resolution
Turn a 6-character ICAO 24-bit address into the matching tail number and aircraft type, ideal for ADS-B pipelines.
Type designators
Look up aircraft type codes like B737 or A320 for category, seating, and manufacturer details.
Input validation
Tail, hex, and type inputs are validated before lookup, so malformed identifiers return a clear 422 instead of noise.
Clean JSON with tracing
Flat, predictable JSON fields and a correlationId on every response make troubleshooting and logging simple.
GET-first design
Core lookups are simple GETs, friendly to browsers, MCP tools, and CLI scripts. A batch endpoint is on the roadmap.
/api/v1/aircraft
Endpoints, at a glance.
Three GET lookups keyed on tail number, ICAO hex, or type code. A POST batch endpoint is scaffolded and returns 501 until it ships.
GET/api/v1/aircraft/lookup
Tail lookup
Requires tail. Returns FAA registration details for the N-number.
GET/api/v1/aircraft/icao/:hex
ICAO hex lookup
Resolve a 6-character ICAO hex address to tail number and aircraft type.
GET/api/v1/aircraft/type/:code
Type lookup
Return category, seating, and manufacturer for an aircraft type designator.
GET/health
Service health
Status, service name, version, and timestamp.
GET/metrics
Prometheus metrics
Process and service metrics in Prometheus exposition format.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| tail | query | lookup | FAA tail number matching the N-number pattern, e.g. N12345. |
| hex | path | icao | ICAO 24-bit address, exactly 6 hexadecimal characters. |
| code | path | type | Aircraft type designator, e.g. B737 or A320. |
Error reference
Predictable, traceable errors.
Identifier problems return a 422 before any lookup, and every response carries a correlationId.
422Validation Error
Missing tail query, or an invalid tail, ICAO hex, or type format. The error message names the failing input.
401Authentication Error
Missing or invalid API key at the gateway. Send x-api-key or api_key with every request.
404Not Found
Unknown route, or no registration matched the identifier. The response lists available endpoints.
501Not Implemented
The batch endpoint is a scaffold and returns 501 for valid requests until it ships.
500Internal Error
Unhandled route or middleware failure, or an FAA upstream problem during lookup.
Example error response
{
"error": "Invalid ICAO hex code",
"success": false,
"correlationId": "1780976423031-g7uxmrg22"
}FAQ
API questions developers ask first.
What details does a tail lookup return?
FAA registration data including manufacturer, model, owner, year, and a validity flag, returned as flat JSON with a correlationId for tracing.
Is the ICAO hex lookup useful for ADS-B data?
Yes. ADS-B feeds broadcast the ICAO 24-bit hex address; GET /icao/:hex maps that address to the tail number and aircraft type so you can enrich flight tracking data.
Is there a batch endpoint?
A POST /batch endpoint is scaffolded but currently returns 501 for valid requests. Use the individual GET lookups today; batch support is on the roadmap.
How do I authenticate requests?
Send your Datpaq API key as an x-api-key header or an api_key query parameter. Keys are created in the Datpaq dashboard and a free tier is included.
Identify any aircraft, fast.
Tail numbers, ICAO hex codes, and type designators resolved to registration and aircraft details from one GET-first API.