Chapter 1 – Introduction to Flying
FAA – Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Questions / Comments
THIS DAY IN AVIATION
August
23
1878 — The British
government uses its first
military aviation budget
(£150) to build and fly
their first balloon, the
“Pioneer.”

THIS DAY IN AVIATION
August
1913
23
— Léon Letort
carries out the first nonstop flight between Paris
and Berlin when he flies
his Morane-Saulnier
monoplane fitted with an
80-hp Le Rhône engine the
560 miles between the two
capitals in 8 hours.
THIS DAY IN AVIATION
August
23
to 31 October 1929 —
The Russian aircraft “Land
of the Soviets,” is flown on
a goodwill tour from
Moscow across the North
Pacific, entering the United
States at Seattle, then on
to New York, having
covered 13,300 miles in
142 flying hours.

THIS DAY IN AVIATION
August
23
1937 — First wholly
automatic landing in
history accomplished
occurred in the US.

THIS DAY IN AVIATION
August
23
1942 — United States
Marine Raiders attack
Makin Atoll in the Gilbert
Islands.

Questions / Comments
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Flying
FAA – Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Today’s Mission Requirements
 Mission:

Describe in writing the FAA aircraft categories and classes .
Describe in writing the eligibility for pilot certificates.

EQ:

Describe the importance of Aeronautical Knowledge for the student
pilot learning to fly.
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
Becoming a Pilot
• The ground and flight
training necessary to
acquire the knowledge
and skills required to
safely and efficiently
function as a
certificated pilot in the
selected category and
class of aircraft.
Aircraft Types and Categories
• Categories of aircraft for which a pilot may be rated are:
• Airplane
• •Rotorcraft
• •Glider
• •Lighter than air
• •Powered lift
• •Powered parachute
• •Weight-shift-control
Aircraft Types and Categories
• Most aircraft categories are further broken down into
classes.
• A pilot must hold a class rating to operate an aircraft in
that class:
•The Airplane category is divided into single-engine land,
multi-engine land, single-engine sea and multi-engine sea
classes
Aircraft Types and Categories
•The Rotorcraft category is divided into helicopter and
gyroplane classes
Aircraft Types and Categories
•The Lighter-than-air
category is divided into
airship and balloon classes
Aircraft Types and Categories
•The Powered
parachute category is
divided into powered
parachute land and
powered parachute sea
Aircraft Types and Categories
•The Weight-shift-control
category is divided into
weight-shift-control land
and weight-shift-control
sea
Aircraft Types and Categories
Ultralight Vehicles
• An ultralight aircraft is
referred to as a vehicle
because the FAA does
if
not govern it
it:
• • Is used or intended
to be used by a single
occupant.
• • Is used for
recreation or sport
purposes.
• • Does not have an
airworthiness
certificate.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Ultralight Vehicles
• An ultralight aircraft
• • If unpowered, weighs
less than 155 pounds
.
• • Has a fuel capacity not
exceeding 5 gallons.
• • Is not capable of more
than 55 knots calibrated
airspeed at full power in
level flight.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Ultralight Vehicles
• Ultralight vehicles do not
require any form of pilot
license or certification if
they are flown within 14
CFR 103 operating rules
which generally limit the
ultralight vehicle to
uncontrolled airpsace
and no flight over
populated areas.
• Every person flying an
ultralight should be
familiar to the rules
specified in 14 CFR 103.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category
• The Sport Pilot Certificate
was created for pilots
flying light-weight, simple
aircraft and offers limited
privileges.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category
• The category of aircraft
called the Light Sport
Aircraft (LSA) includes:
• Airplane (Land/Sea)
• Gyroplane
• Airship
• Balloon
• Weight-Shift Control
(Land/Sea)
• Glider
• Powered Parachute.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category
• Light Sport Category, it
must meet the following
criteria:
• • The maximum gross
takeoff weight may not
exceed 1,320 pounds, or
1,430 pounds for
seaplanes.
• Lighter-than-air
maximum gross weight
may not be more than
660 pounds.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category
• • The maximum stall speed
may not exceed 45 knots,
and the inflight maximum
speed in level flight with
maximum continuous power
is no greater than 120 knots.
• • Seating is restricted to
single or two-seat
configuration only.
• • The powerplant may be
only a single, reciprocating
engine (if powered), but may
include rotary or diesel
engines.
Aircraft Types and Categories
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Category
• • The landing gear must be
fixed, except gliders or
those aircraft intended for
operation on water.
• The aircraft may be used for
sport, recreation, flight
training, and aircraft rental.
Becoming a Pilot
• Eligibility, aeronautical knowledge,
proficiency, and aeronautical
requirements can be found in 14
CFR part 61, Certification: Pilots,
Flight Instructors, and Ground
Instructors.
• • Recreational Pilot, see subpart D
• • Private Pilot, see subpart E
• • Sport Pilot, see subpart J
Questions / Comments
Today’s Mission Requirements
 Mission:

Describe in writing the FAA aircraft categories and classes .
Describe in writing the eligibility for pilot certificates.

EQ:

Describe the importance of Aeronautical Knowledge for the student
pilot learning to fly.
Questions / Comments