What must happen if an aircraft tail number is changed?

When an aircraft tail number is changed, the issuance of revalidation is required to ensure that all documentation, registrations, and operational parameters for the aircraft accurately reflect the new tail number. This process is crucial as it involves updating regulatory bodies and operational records to maintain compliance with aviation safety standards and regulations.

Revalidation ensures that the aircraft's identification is correctly linked to its airworthiness, maintenance history, and operational status. This helps prevent any potential legal or safety issues that could arise from discrepancies in aircraft identification during inspections, maintenance, or flight operations.

While filing a new flight plan, alerting ground services, or canceling a flight may seem like necessary actions, they do not address the fundamental requirement of ensuring the new tail number is officially recognized and validated across all relevant documentation and systems. Therefore, revalidation is the critical step that must occur when an aircraft tail number changes.