CRJwannabe
New Member
\"Large\" vs. \"Heavy\" aircraft
Connecting the dots of the FAR/AIM for those that are interested:
FAR 61.31
Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements.
(a) Type ratings required. A person who acts as a pilot in command of any of the following aircraft must hold a type rating for that aircraft:
(1) Large aircraft (except lighter-than-air).
(2) Turbojet-powered airplanes.
(3) Other aircraft specified by the Administrator through aircraft type certificate procedures . . .
So, what is a “large aircraft”?
From FAR Part 1 Definitions: Large aircraft means aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight.
If anyone has ever wondered how “heavy” gets attached to a call sign . .
From AIM Pilot/Controller Glossary (http://www.iespana.es/atc-cordoba/Pilot-Controller Glossary.htm):
AIRCRAFT CLASSES- For the purposes of Wake Turbulence Separation Minima, ATC classifies aircraft as Heavy, Large, and Small as follows:
a. “Heavy”- Aircraft capable of takeoff weights of more than 255,000 pounds whether or not they are operating at this weight during a particular phase of flight.
b. Large - Aircraft of more than 41,000 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to 255,000 pounds.
c. Small- Aircraft of 41,000 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.
So, it seems that ATC and the FARs are in slight disagreement over what can be classified as a “large aircraft”. Next time you hear “heavy” attached to a callsign, you will know that is not a subjective term. There appears to be some method behind the madness. If my interpretation of the above material seems inaccurate, I welcome any corrections/additions that may further clarify the issue.
Thanks
Connecting the dots of the FAR/AIM for those that are interested:
FAR 61.31
Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements.
(a) Type ratings required. A person who acts as a pilot in command of any of the following aircraft must hold a type rating for that aircraft:
(1) Large aircraft (except lighter-than-air).
(2) Turbojet-powered airplanes.
(3) Other aircraft specified by the Administrator through aircraft type certificate procedures . . .
So, what is a “large aircraft”?
From FAR Part 1 Definitions: Large aircraft means aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight.
If anyone has ever wondered how “heavy” gets attached to a call sign . .
From AIM Pilot/Controller Glossary (http://www.iespana.es/atc-cordoba/Pilot-Controller Glossary.htm):
AIRCRAFT CLASSES- For the purposes of Wake Turbulence Separation Minima, ATC classifies aircraft as Heavy, Large, and Small as follows:
a. “Heavy”- Aircraft capable of takeoff weights of more than 255,000 pounds whether or not they are operating at this weight during a particular phase of flight.
b. Large - Aircraft of more than 41,000 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to 255,000 pounds.
c. Small- Aircraft of 41,000 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.
So, it seems that ATC and the FARs are in slight disagreement over what can be classified as a “large aircraft”. Next time you hear “heavy” attached to a callsign, you will know that is not a subjective term. There appears to be some method behind the madness. If my interpretation of the above material seems inaccurate, I welcome any corrections/additions that may further clarify the issue.
Thanks