CASA will release the first batch of alpha-numeric registration numbers for civil aircraft this coming Friday 23 September.
The alpha-numeric system has been introduced to add 20,000 more potential registration marks. Under the existing VH-XXX system, CASA was down to just 33 available registrations.
The first batch of 1500 to be released on Friday will be only those beginning with an 8 or an X, for example, VH-8AB, VH-X9B, VH-X22.
Under the new system, the digits "0" and "1" won't be used to prevent confusion with the letters "O" and "I".
The VH-XXX system has been in operation since 1929, when Mr TP Manifold registered his Gipsy Moth VH-UKF. The three-letter combination generated 17,526 options, which was plenty at the time, but has now reached its limit.