An aircraft category is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization as a "classification of aircraft according to specified basic characteristics", for the purpose of personnel licensing.
Examples of aircraft categories include aeroplanes, helicopters, gliders, or free balloons.
Examples include transport, normal, utility, acrobatic, limited, restricted, and provisional.
[3] In EASA states, "Category of aircraft" means a categorisation of aircraft according to specified basic characteristics.
Examples include aeroplane, powered-lift, helicopter, airship, sailplane, and free balloon.