Commercial aviationCommercial aviation is the part of civil aviation that involves operating aircraft for remuneration or hire, as opposed to private aviation. DefinitionCommercial aviation is not a rigorously defined category. All commercial air transport and aerial work operations are regarded as commercial aviation, as well as some general aviation flights.
Private aviationPrivate aviation is the part of civil aviation that does not include flying for hire, which is termed commercial aviation. In 2022, private air travel was noted as increasing. DefinitionPrivate aviation and commercial aviation are not rigorously defined. In general, private aviation is regarded as flights that do not require a commercial pilot licence (CPL) or higher.
Civil aviationCivil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military and non-state aviation, which can be both private and commercial. Most countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common Standards and Recommended Practices for civil aviation through that agency.
International Civil Aviation OrganizationThe International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. The ICAO headquarters are in the Quartier international de Montréal of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Light aircraftA 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 small-scale passenger and freight transport; for sightseeing, photography, cropdusting, and other so-called aerial work roles of civil aviation; for the personal-use aspect of general aviation; and in certain aspects of military aviation.
Flight trainingFlight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills. Flight training can be conducted under a structured accredited syllabus with a flight instructor at a flight school or as private lessons with no syllabus with a flight instructor as long as all experience requirements for the desired pilot certificate/license are met.
Agricultural aircraftAn agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use – usually aerial application of pesticides (crop dusting) or fertilizer (aerial topdressing); in these roles, they are referred to as "crop dusters" or "top dressers". Agricultural aircraft are also used for hydroseeding.
Aerial applicationAerial application, sometimes known as "crop dusting", involves application of crop protection products to crops from an agricultural aircraft. Planting certain types of seed are also included in aerial application. The specific spreading of fertilizer is also known as aerial topdressingin some countries. In the USA in 2018 about 25% of pesticides used on commercial farms, and about 100% of forestry products are applied aerially.
AerobaticsAerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in conventional passenger-carrying flights, with the purpose of training, recreation, entertainment or sport. The term is a portmanteau of "aeroplane" and "acrobatics". Most aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis.
Air sportsThe term "air sports" covers a range of aerial activities, including air racing, aerobatics, aeromodelling, hang gliding, human-powered aircraft, parachuting, paragliding, soaring, and skydiving.
Air racingAir racing is a type of motorsport that involves airplanes or other types of aircraft that compete over a fixed course, with the winner either returning the shortest time, the one to complete it with the most points, or to come closest to a previously estimated time. HistoryThe first 'heavier-than-air' air race was held on 23 May 1909 - the , at the Port-Aviationaerodrome (often called "Juvisy Airfield") in Viry-Châtillon south of Paris, France.
AirlineCompany that provides air transport services for passengers and freightA Boeing 777 of United Airlines, the largest airline in the world by fleet size.Air trips per capitaAn airline is a company that provides a regular service of air transportation for passengers or freight (cargo). Airlines use aircraft to supply these services. Many passenger airlines also carry cargo in the belly of their aircraft, while dedicated cargo airlines focus solely on freight transport.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.