Civil aircraft

Civil aircraft are all non-military aircraft and represent a broad range of aircraft types. They include everything from small general aviation aircraft used for pilot training and personal transportation to large, long-range commercial airliners that carry hundreds of passengers on intercontinental flights.

Types of Civil Aircraft

Civil aircraft can be broadly categorized into two types: fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Fixed-wing aircraft are those that have wings that do not move relative to the main body of the aircraft. This category includes a wide range of aircraft, from small light aircraft used for training and personal use, to large jet airliners used for commercial air travel.

Rotorcraft

Rotorcraft, or rotary-wing aircraft, are those that use one or more large horizontal rotors to provide lift and control. This category includes helicopters and autogyros.

Civil Aircraft Uses

Civil aircraft are used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Commercial Air Travel: This is the most visible use of civil aircraft, with millions of passengers flying on commercial airliners every day.

• General Aviation: This category includes all civil flying not done by commercial airlines or the military. It includes everything from pilot training and personal flying to aerial surveying and air ambulance services.

• Air Cargo: Many civil aircraft are used to transport goods. This can range from small packages delivered by courier services to large shipments of goods on dedicated cargo aircraft.

Safety and Regulation

The safety and operation of civil aircraft are regulated by national aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States and the Civil Aviation Authority in the United Kingdom. These organizations set standards for aircraft design, maintenance, and operation to ensure the safety of air travel.

See Also

• List of civil aircraft
• Aircraft design process
• Aircraft maintenance