Introduction to Flying

The FAA differentiates aircraft by their characteristics and center of gravity with respect to the wing. Flight control physical properties. Key groupings defined in 14 CFR 1.1 of the aircraft depends on the wing's ability to flexibly include: deform rather than the use of control surfaces. • Airplane—an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft Size and weight are other methods used in 14 CFR 1.1 to heavier than air, that is supported in flight by the group aircraft: dynamic reaction of the air against its wings. • Large aircraft—an aircraft of more than 12,500 • Glider—a heavier-than-air aircraft, that is supported pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight. in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces and whose free flight does not depend • Light-sport aircraft (LSA)—an aircraft, other than principally on an engine. a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the definition in • Lighter-than-air aircraft—an aircraft that can rise and 14 CFR 1.1. (LSA can include airplanes, airships, remain suspended by using contained gas weighing balloons, gliders, gyro planes, powered parachutes, less than the air that is displaced by the gas. and weight-shift-control.) - Airship—an engine-driven lighter-than-air • Small Aircraft—aircraft of 12,500 pounds or less, aircraft that can be steered. maximum certificated takeoff weight. - Balloon—a lighter-than-air aircraft that is not engine driven, and that sustains flight through the We also use broad classifications of aircraft with respect to use of either gas buoyancy or an airborne heater. the certification of airmen or with respect to the certification • Powered-lift—a heavier-than-air aircraft capable of of the aircraft themselves. See the next section, Pilot vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low speed flight Certifications, and Chapter 3, for further discussion of that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices certification. These definitions are in 14 CFR 1.1: or engine thrust for lift during these flight regimes and • Category on nonrotating airfoil(s) for lift during horizontal flight. 1. As used with respect to the certification, ratings, • Powered parachute—a powered aircraft comprised of privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a a flexible or semi-rigid wing connected to a fuselage broad classification of aircraft. Examples include: so that the wing is not in position for flight until airplane; rotorcraft; glider; and lighter-than-air; the aircraft is in motion. The fuselage of a powered and parachute contains the aircraft engine, a seat for each 2. As used with respect to the certification of occupant and Is attached to the aircraft's landing gear. aircraft, means a grouping of aircraft based upon • Rocket—an aircraft propelled by ejected expanding intended use or operating limitations. Examples gases generated in the engine from self-contained include: transport, normal, utility, acrobatic, propellants and not dependent on the intake of outside limited, restricted, and provisional. substances. It includes any part which becomes • Class separated during the operation. 1. As used with respect to the certification, ratings, • Rotorcraft—a heavier-than-air aircraft that depends privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a principally for its support in flight on the lift generated classification of aircraft within a category having by one or more rotors. similar operating characteristics. Examples - Gyroplane—a rotorcraft whose rotors are not Include: single engine; multiengine; land; water; engine-driven, except for Initial starting, but gyroplane, helicopter, airship, and free balloon; are made to rotate by action of the air when and the rotorcraft Is moving; and whose means of 2. As used with respect to the certification of propulsion, consisting usually of conventional aircraft, means a broad grouping of aircraft having propellers, is Independent of the rotor system. similar characteristics of propulsion, flight, or - Helicopter—a rotorcraft that, for its horizontal landing. Examples include: airplane, rotorcraft, motion, depends principally on its engine-driven gilder, balloon, landplane, and seaplane. rotors. • Type • Weight-shift-control—a powered aircraft with a framed 1. As used with respect to the certification, ratings, pivoting wing and a fuselage controllable only in pitch privileges, and limitations of airmen, means and roll by the pilot's ability to change the aircraft’s 1-15