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Certification of Airmen

Aircraft Ratings of Pilot Certificate §61.5

(except Student Pilot certificates; they receive no ratings, only endorsements)
Category Class Type
airplane
  • single/multi-engine
  • land/sea
(i.e. ASEL/AMEL/ASES/AMES)
  • large aircraft
  • turbojet-powered airplanes
rotorcraft helicopter
gyroplane
glider
lighter-than-air airship
balloon
powered lift
powered parachute
  • land/sea
weight-shift control
  • land/sea

‘Type’ certification for any aircraft with Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) over 12,500 lbs or with turbojet.

Instrument Ratings of Pilot Certificate

With Respect to Certification of Aircraft

What is the aircraft's intended use, and what are its operating limitations?
Category 14 CFR Limitations
Standard 14 CFR 25
Transport
Standard 14 CFR 23
Commuter
Normal
Utility
Acrobatic
Special 14 CFR 21
Restricted 91.313
  • only for a specific special purpose
  • no persons/property for compensation or hire
  • not over densely populated area, in congested airway, or near busy airport
Limited 91.315
  • no persons/property for compensation or hire
Provisional 91.317
  • person operating must be eligible
  • only for training, demonstration, flight checking, service testing, etc.
  • advise each person carried on board
Experimental 91.319
  • not operate for compensation or hire
  • no persons/property for compensation or hire
  • not over densely populated area or in congested airway
  • advise each person carried on board
  • VFR day
  • notify control tower
  • not more than 6 occupants
Primary 91.325
Light Sport 91.327
How does the aircraft fly: propulsion, flight, landing?
Class
airplane
rotorcraft
glider
balloon
landplane
seaplane

References

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