Engineering:Light aircraft

Short description: Classification of aircraft

A typical light aircraft: the Cessna 172

With a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs, the DHC-6 Twin Otter is an example of the upper limit of the light aircraft category.

A Robinson R44 light helicopter

A light aircraft is an aircraft that has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) or less.

Light aircraft are used as utility aircraft commercially for passenger and freight transport, sightseeing, photography, and other roles, as well as personal use.

Examples of aircraft that are at the maximum gross takeoff weight for this category include the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Beechcraft B200 Super King Air.

Uses

Uses include aerial surveying, such as monitoring pipelines, light cargo operations, such as "feeding" cargo hubs, and passenger operations. Light aircraft are used for marketing purposes, such as banner towing and skywriting, and flight instruction. The majority of personal aircraft are light aircraft, the most popular in history being the Cessna 172, and most popular in modern history being the Cirrus SR22 and Robinson R44. Larger light aircraft, such as twin turboprops and very light jets, are often used as business aircraft. Most floatplanes also fall into the category of light aircraft.

See also

• Aviation safety
• General aviation
• Large aircraft, those over 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) MTOW
• Light-sport aircraft
• List of current production certified light aircraft
• Ultralight aviation