Airplane categories (FAR23):

A. The normal category is limited to airplanes that have a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of nine or less, a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, and intended for nonacrobatic operation. Nonacrobatic operation includes:

1. Any maneuver incident to normal flying;
2. Stalls (except whip stalls); and
3. Lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns, in which the angle of bank is not more than 60 degrees.

Examples: Mooney M20, Socata TBM 700, Piper PA-46-350P(Malibu Mirage), Piper PA-42(Cheyenne III), Eclipse EA-500 , Beechcraft B90, Learjet 23

B. The utility category is limited to airplanes that have a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of nine or less, a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, and intended for limited acrobatic operation. Airplanes certificated in the utility

category may be used in any of the operations covered under paragraph (a) of this section and in limited acrobatic operations. Limited acrobatic operation includes:

1. Spins (if approved for the particular type of airplane); and

2. Lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns, or similar maneuvers, in which the angle of bank is more than 60 degrees but not more than 90 degrees.

C. The acrobatic category is limited to airplanes that have a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of nine or less, a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, and intended for use without restrictions, other than those shown to be necessary as a result of required flight tests.

D. The commuter category is limited to propeller-driven, multiengine airplanes that have a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of 19 or less, and a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds or less. The commuter category operation is limited to any maneuver incident to normal flying, stalls (except whip stalls), and steep turns, in which the angle of bank is not more than 60 degrees.

Examples: Beechcraft 1900, Embraer 110(Bandeirante), Jetstream 31.

E. Except for commuter category, airplanes may be type certificated in more than one category if the requirements of each requested category are met.

Transport Category Aircraft(FAR 25):

Jets with 10 or more seats or a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500lb (5670 kg); or

Propeller-driven airplanes with greater than 19 seats or a MTOW greater than 19,000lb (8618 kg).

Examples: Jetstream 41, Cessna Citation series, Learjet 24 thru 60, ATR42, Embraer 170, etc.
Normal Category Rotorcraft(FAR 27):
Maximum weights of 7,000 pounds or less and nine or less passenger seats.
Examples: Bell 206, 407, 427, 429.
Transport Category Rotorcraft(FAR 29):
Transport category rotorcraft must be certificated in accordance with either the Category A or Category B requirements of this part. A multiengine rotorcraft may be type certificated as both Category A and Category B with appropriate and different operating limitations for each category. Examples: Sikorsky S-76 series, S-92A.
Rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 20,000 pounds and 10 or more passenger seats must be type certificated as Category A rotorcraft.
Rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 20,000 pounds and nine or less passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft provided the Category A requirements of Subparts C, D, E, and F of FAR 23 are met.
Rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds or less but with 10 or more passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft provided the Category A requirements of FAR 29.67(a)(2), 29.87, 29.1517, and subparts C, D, E, and F of FAR 29 are met.

Rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds or less and nine or less passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft.