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faa-aircraft-registry-mcp-server

faa-aircraft-registry-mcp-server: lookup registration

faa_lookup_registration
Read-onlyIdempotent

Decode one US civil aircraft N-number to its full registration record — aircraft make/model, engine, year manufactured, airworthiness, registration status, Mode S (ICAO 24-bit) code, and registered owner (when owner-PII redaction is off). Accepts "N12345" or "12345" (the leading N is optional). Returns ownerRedacted: true when owner details were withheld. A number that is known but inactive (deregistered or reserved) is not found here — use faa_get_registration_status for its current state.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nNumberYesUS registration N-number to decode. Accepts "N12345" or "12345" (leading N optional). Shape: 1–5 characters — a leading digit 1–9, then digits, optionally ending in 1–2 letters (I and O are unused).

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
makeNoAircraft manufacturer name.
errorNoPresent when the call failed. Absent on success.
modelNoAircraft model name.
ownerNoRegistrant name/address; present only when redaction is off.
regionNoRegistrant's FAA region as code + label.
statusNoRegistration status (e.g. Valid registration) as code + label.
nNumberNoNormalized N-number without the leading "N" (the registry storage form).
kitModelNoKit model (amateur-built aircraft); often blank.
uniqueIdNoFAA unique aircraft identifier.
engineMakeNoEngine manufacturer name.
engineTypeNoEngine type (e.g. Reciprocating, Turbo-fan) as code + label.
engineModelNoEngine model name.
aircraftTypeNoAircraft type (e.g. Fixed-wing single-engine) as code + label.
modeSCodeHexNoMode S code in hex — the ICAO 24-bit address used to key live flight-tracking data.
serialNumberNoManufacturer serial number.
certIssueDateNoCertificate issue date (YYYY-MM-DD).
ownerRedactedNoTrue when owner name/address were withheld from this payload by the redaction gate.
expirationDateNoRegistration expiration date (YYYY-MM-DD).
lastActionDateNoDate of the last registration action (YYYY-MM-DD).
modeSCodeOctalNoMode S transponder code in octal.
nNumberDisplayNoN-number in conventional display form, with the leading "N".
fractionalOwnerNoTrue when the aircraft is under fractional ownership.
kitManufacturerNoKit manufacturer (amateur-built aircraft); often blank.
yearManufacturedNoYear the aircraft was manufactured; often blank (permissible field).
airworthinessDateNoAirworthiness certificate date (YYYY-MM-DD).
airworthinessClassNoAirworthiness classification (Standard, Experimental, …) from CERTIFICATION char 1, as code + label.
approvedOperationsRawNoRaw FAA approved-operations sub-code string; interpretation varies by airworthiness class.
manufacturerModelCodeNo7-char manufacturer/model/series code.
engineManufacturerModelCodeNo5-char engine manufacturer/model code.

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true. The description adds owner redaction behavior (ownerRedacted flag) and the limitation that inactive numbers are not found, which are not covered by annotations. It does not contradict annotations; it enriches the safety and outcome picture beyond the structured hints.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, each earning its place: the first states the primary function and output fields; the second covers input nuance and the alternative tool. It is slightly dense but well-organized and not bloated. The key action is front-loaded.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given a single parameter, an existing output schema, and read-only/idempotent annotations, the description covers the output fields, owner redaction, input variations, and the limitation of inactive numbers with a pointer to the correct sibling. Nothing essential is missing for an agent to invoke it correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100% and includes the same guidance about the optional leading N and accepted formats. The description repeats this rather than adding new parameter-specific meaning (e.g., examples or edge cases). Baseline 3 is appropriate when the schema already documents the parameter thoroughly.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb 'Decode' with the resource 'US civil aircraft N-number' and enumerates the returned fields (make/model, engine, airworthiness, status, Mode S, owner). It explicitly differentiates from sibling faa_get_registration_status by noting that inactive numbers are not found here. This is specific and not a tautology.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description explicitly names faa_get_registration_status as the alternative for inactive numbers, providing a clear when-not-to-use condition. It also clarifies the optional leading N in the input format, which guides correct invocation. This is direct and leaves little to inference.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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TDQS

A4.7/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

Each tool has a clear and distinct purpose: faa_get_aircraft_type decodes a code to specs, faa_search_aircraft_types discovers codes by name; faa_lookup_registration gets full details for active N-numbers, faa_get_registration_status handles inactive or unreserved ones; faa_search_registrations searches by criteria. Descriptions explicitly clarify overlaps, so agents can reliably choose the right tool.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tools follow a uniform 'faa_verb_noun' pattern with consistent verb choices (get, lookup, search). The naming is predictable and makes the toolset easy to navigate.

Tool Count5/5

Five tools is ideal for a focused registry server. Each tool provides a necessary function (search, decode, status check, full lookup) without redundancy, covering the core workflow in a lean set.

Completeness5/5

The toolset covers all key operations for a read-only aircraft registry: searching registrations and aircraft types, looking up full records, and checking registration status across all files. There are no obvious gaps for the intended use case.