1,058 weight-shift-control aircraft — commonly called trikes — are on the current FAA registry. They're certificated and registered as their own distinct FAA aircraft category, separate from fixed-wing airplanes and rotorcraft, and each one carries its own N-number and public record.
The free check
Current registration status, expiration date, and any NTSB-reportable accident or incident under the aircraft's N-number or serial number. The same free FAA and NTSB lookups that apply to a Cessna apply to a trike — the category is smaller, not exempt.
What the registry won't tell you
Wing (sail) fabric condition and hours, and engine time since overhaul, are not FAA registry fields. A trike's wing is a wear item with its own service life, and it's worth asking for wing-specific maintenance records separately from the engine and carriage logs.
Before you buy
- Confirm registration is current, not expired.
- Check NTSB history by N-number and by serial number.
- Ask for wing/sail logs separately from engine logs.
- If it was kit-built, request the original builder's documentation.