Aircraft category
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An aircraft category is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization as a "classification of aircraft according to specified basic characteristics", for the purpose of personnel licensing. Examples of aircraft categories include aeroplanes, helicopters, gliders, or free balloons.[1]
In the United States of America, there are seven aircraft categories for the purpose of certification of aircraft pilots:[2][3]
- Airplanes
- Rotorcraft such as helicopters
- Powered lift
- Gliders
- Lighter than air
- Powered parachute
- Weight-shift control
Aircraft categories are also defined with respect to the certification of aircraft, to mean "a grouping of aircraft based upon intended use or operating limitations." Examples include transport, normal, utility, acrobatic, limited, restricted, and provisional.[3]