Light 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.[1]

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.

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.[2][3]

  1. ^ Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 308. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2
  2. ^ Viking Air (26 September 2014). "Twin Otter Series 400". Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  3. ^ Jackson, Paul; Munson, Kenneth; Peacock, Lindsay. Jane's All the World's Aircraft. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2684-3.