Aircraft Types and Categories Categories of aircraft

Aircraft Types and Categories • Categories of aircraft for which a pilot may be rated are: • Airplane • • Rotorcraft • • Glider • • Lighter than air • • Powered lift • • Powered parachute • • Weight-shift-control

Aircraft Types and Categories • Most aircraft categories are further broken down into classes. • A pilot must hold a class rating to operate an aircraft in that class: • The Airplane category is divided into single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea and multi-engine sea classes

Aircraft Types and Categories • The Rotorcraft category is divided into helicopter and gyroplane classes

Aircraft Types and Categories • The Lighter-than-air category is divided into airship and balloon classes

Aircraft Types and Categories • The Powered parachute category is divided into powered parachute land powered parachute sea

Aircraft Types and Categories • The Weight-shift-control category is divided into weight-shift-control land weight-shift-control sea

Aircraft Types and Categories Ultralight Vehicles • An ultralight aircraft is referred to as a vehicle because the FAA does if not govern it it: • • Is used or intended to be used by a single occupant. • • Is used for recreation or sport purposes. • • Does not have an airworthiness certificate.

Aircraft Types and Categories Ultralight Vehicles • An ultralight aircraft • • If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds. • • Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 gallons. • • Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight.

Aircraft Types and Categories Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category • The Sport Pilot Certificate was created for pilots flying light-weight, simple aircraft and offers limited privileges.

Aircraft Types and Categories Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category • The category of aircraft called the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) includes: • Airplane (Land/Sea) • Gyroplane • Airship • Balloon • Weight-Shift Control (Land/Sea) • Glider • Powered Parachute.