The division of the aeronautical world

Macro-sectors, categories and means

Before we start delving into specific definitions, it is necessary to define how civil aviation is divided to lay the foundations for what we will then explain in the next tutorials.

We have therefore created a pyramid in which we can identify the macro-sectors, or the main groupings that are then divided, going down the pyramid into the specific sectors that define the purpose of the operations and finally into the categories of aircraft used.

These are concepts that are difficult to find in books because they range across various topics and regulations and there is not always a summary that can make the starting bases understood; in addition to delving into the topic in this tutorial, you can also find this definition narrated and contextualized in the world of aeronautical training in our book “Learn Before Flight” that you can purchase on our website.

However, precisely because our tutorials want to provide clarifications on aspects that normally remain hidden or difficult to understand, we believe it is essential to start from here!

The three macro sectors of aviation

Let’s start by identifying the three macro-sectors of civil aviation:

• “commercial aviation”
• “general aviation”
• “recreational sports flight”

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

This group includes all those profit-making activities ranging from scheduled flights to air taxis, from helicopter rescue to flight schools, from aerial work with helicopters to firefighting, to work with drones; to carry out these activities the air vehicles used are defined in one word as “aircraft”, or the categories: airplanes, helicopters, convertiplanes, gliders, airships, hot air balloons (or rather free balloons) and drones.

To these we must then obviously attach all the sectors that do not deal strictly with flight operations, but are support such as: design, construction, maintenance, technical management and air traffic control.

GENERAL AVIATION

Let’s move on to the second macro-sector: general aviation, which includes all private, non-profit activities of enthusiasts who fly for fun, aircraft owners or members of flying clubs.

Compared to the first group, there is one thing they have in common, namely the categories of aircraft used: aircraft (except drones, which by definition, when classified as aircraft, automatically become a commercial vehicle… there will be a dedicated tutorial later, but let’s stop here for now.)

SPORTS FLIGHT

The third macro-sector is that of recreational and sports flying, which has the same prerogatives as general aviation, that is, it does not carry out commercial activities (except for the operation of flight schools and tandem flights), but is distinguished by the categories of vehicles used or by the weight limit to which they are subject.

In fact, the classic categories of this world are: skydiving, paragliding and hang gliding, however then there are ULMs (ultra light powered aircraft) which overlap in some ways with aircraft even if they are not legally part of it, in fact they are technically airplanes or helicopters in all respects, but since they are below 400 kg of maximum take-off weight for single-seaters and 450 kg for two-seaters, they do not fall within general aviation.

It is important to understand this overlap to understand how to approach this sector.

What is the difference between a general aviation motor aircraft and an ultralight?

From a technical point of view we have already said it: weight! But from a regulatory point of view it is a question of skills.

The regulation for the management of the entire Italian fleet of ultralights in fact, both for the technical and operational and training components has been delegated all’Aeroclub Italia: vehicle registration, pilot licenses, checks, etc.

Instead ENAC – Ente Nazionale Aviazione Civile – regulates the world of general and commercial aviation (complying with the European regulations of EASA – European Aviation Safety Agency).

Recreational flying versus general aviation

Conclusions

There are three macro-sectors, each of which has a very specific purpose. Each of them is then divided into specific sectors that regulate their operations and finally each operation has its own category of aircraft used.

For each of these there is a specific certification issued by ENAC or by the Aeroclub Italia so that an ultralight cannot perform public passenger transport or a private owner cannot perform firefighting, or an airline that also wants to give flight lessons must have two separate certifications.

Everything in aviation is certified, controlled and constantly improved. Nothing is left to chance. In the same way as sectors, aircraft are distinguished: recreational sports vehicles are not aircraft, ultralights are not aircraft.

Helicopters are not airplanes but are aircraft of a specific category.

If we want to find synonyms we can say that an aircraft is an “aircraft”, a “fixed-wing aircraft” and that a helicopter is a “rotary-wing aircraft”. Then pay attention to the distinctions between airplanes and helicopters certified as aircraft or as ultralights.

When you read in the newspapers for example that a Robinson 22 is an ultralight aircraft, it is twice wrong: first because Robinsons are aviation aircraft and not ultralights and second because they are in the category of helicopters and not aircraft.

We forgive journalists for these mistakes, but if you want to enter the aeronautical world, it is better to note these differences.

With this tutorial you have had your first approach to technical terminology, to the bodies that control this world and to the first aeronautical definitions. Now we will start with the description of all the aeronautical licenses related to general and commercial aviation and then later you will also find information on the courses for recreational sport flight, on drones, on technicians, on the regulations and much more.

If you have any questions or curiosities, fill out the information request form.