TACA Airlines N-registered Aircraft?

[cargoflyr69]

I was just passing thru San Salvador last week which is a major hub for these guys. I noticed that EVERY A-320 I saw had a NxxxTA registration. Does anyone know why they chose to N-register their fleet?

My next thought goes to pilot certification. Does anyone know which type of pilot certificate their pilots fly under? US, ICAO, El Salvadorean?

 

[Dumb Pilot]

A lot of those A/C's are leased and depending on the lease terms, sometimes the lease specifies that it will remain on a "N" registry...! Most pilots in Latin America are dual rated (they hold FAA licenses) I mean, it is the easiest certificate to obtain, so why not?

 

[filejw]

And if you want to go way back to say 30/40 years TACA was an ALPA carrier based in MSY.

 

[cargoflyr69]

Sounds logical. Thanks for the replies!