Definition
A permanent identification plate, typically made of fireproof metal, attached to the aircraft structure that displays key identifying information about the aircraft, including the manufacturer's name, model designation, serial number, and in some cases the type certificate and production certificate numbers.
Plain English
A small metal plate fixed to the aircraft that lists who built it, what model it is, and its unique serial number. It is the aircraft's permanent ID tag.
Context Anchor
Seen during aircraft inspections, registration and airworthiness checks, and when confirming that the aircraft’s paperwork matches the actual aircraft.
Derivation
Data' comes from the Latin for 'things given' — meaning the recorded facts about the aircraft. 'Plate' refers to the flat metal sheet it is stamped or etched on. Together it means a fixed metal record of the aircraft's identifying facts.
Why Pilots Care
It verifies the aircraft's identity and must match the airworthiness certificate to keep the airplane legal to fly.
Analogy
It is similar to a vehicle identification tag on a car: it does not tell you how to operate the machine, but it identifies the exact machine you are looking at.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse an aircraft data plate with a performance chart or cockpit placard. It is mainly an identification tag, not a set of operating instructions.
Example Sentence 1
During the preflight inspection, the pilot checked that the serial number on the aircraft data plate matched the number on the registration certificate.
Example Sentence 2
During the inspection the mechanic verified that the aircraft data plate information agreed with the airworthiness certificate.