Tail numbers to go public

In the face of strong industry opposition and proposed congressional language, the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) is moving ahead with a proposal to provide public access to most general aircraft tail numbers via flight-tracking services, according to a story at AviationWeek.com. The change, which will go into effect in about 60 days, dismantles the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, which permits aircraft owners to request that their tail number be withheld from flight-tracking programs. Under the government’s plan, only operators with a verifiable security threat would be able to withhold tail numbers.