Class rating


In aviation, a class rating is an allowance to fly a certain group of aircraft that require training common to all aircraft within the group. A type rating is specified if a particular aircraft requires additional specialized training beyond the scope of initial license and aircraft class training. Which aircraft require a type rating is decided by the local aviation authority. Almost all single-engine piston or multi-engine piston single pilot aircraft can be flown without a type rating, but are covered by a class rating instead.

United States

In the United States, all turbojets require a type rating. Aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of more than typically require a type rating.
In the United States, there are seven categories of aircraft, which contain the following classes:
CategoryClassCategoryClass
AirplaneSingle-engine land Lighter-than-airAirship
AirplaneMultiengine land Lighter-than-airBalloon
AirplaneSingle-engine sea Powered-lift
AirplaneMultiengine sea Powered parachutePowered parachute land
RotorcraftHelicopterPowered parachutePowered parachute sea
RotorcraftGyroplaneWeight-shift-control aircraftWeight-shift-control aircraft land
GliderWeight-shift-control aircraftWeight-shift-control aircraft sea

Class ratings may have limitations placed upon them. In the United States, if a pilot being examined for a multi-engine rating does not demonstrate the ability to control an aircraft under asymmetric thrust, their multi-engine rating will be endorsed as "Limited-to-Center Thrust".