Alight aircraft is anaircraft that has amaximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) or less.[1]
Light aircraft are used asutility aircraft commercially for small-scale passenger andfreight transport; for sightseeing, photography,cropdusting, and other so-called aerial work roles ofcivil aviation; for the personal-use aspect ofgeneral aviation; and in certain aspects ofmilitary aviation.
Examples of aircraft that are at the maximum gross takeoff weight for this category include thede Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter andBeechcraft B200 Super King Air.[2][3]
Uses include aerial surveying, such as monitoring pipelines,[4] light cargo operations, such as"feeding" cargo hubs,[5] and passenger operations. Light aircraft are used for marketing purposes, such as banner towing andskywriting, andflight instruction. The majority of personal aircraft are light aircraft, themost popular in history being theCessna 172, and most popular in modern history being theCirrus SR22 andRobinson R44. Larger light aircraft, such as twinturboprops andvery light jets, are often used asbusiness aircraft. Mostfloatplanes also fall into the category of light aircraft.
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