This article provides a clear overview of the various terms used to describe different types of flights and how they are classified. It includes definitions and examples for better understanding.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) classifies civil aviation activities into several categories:
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Commercial Air Transport Services
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Scheduled
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Non-scheduled
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Charter
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On-demand (including air-taxi, commercial business aviation, and others)
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Other
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General Aviation (GA)
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Non-commercial business aviation
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Instructional flying
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Pleasure flying
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Aerial work (such as agriculture, construction, surveying, photography, advertisement, and search and rescue)
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Other flying
It’s important to note that business aviation can be either commercial or GA, depending on whether a charge is applied for the service provided. For instance, a corporate jet transporting company executives is classified as non-commercial business aviation. However, if that same jet is used to transport others for a fee, it becomes commercial business aviation.
Additionally, general aviation is not synonymous with general air traffic. General Air Traffic (GAT) refers to all flights conducted according to ICAO rules and procedures, meaning general aviation is part of GAT.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also classifies civil aviation activities in the following ways:
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As commercial or non-commercial based on remuneration
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As air transport or specialised operation based on the activity performed
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As conducted by complex motor-powered or other-than-complex motor-powered aircraft based on the type of aircraft used.
Commercial Operations
A commercial operation involves any aircraft operation done in exchange for remuneration or other valuable considerations. This can be available to the public or performed under contract where the operator has full control. Simply put, if an aircraft service requires payment, it is a commercial operation.
Commercial Air Transport (CAT) refers specifically to operations that transport passengers, cargo, or mail for payment. Another category of commercial operations is commercial specialised operations, which are performed for a fee but do not fall under CAT.
Specialised Operations (SPO)
SPO encompasses any operation other than CAT, where the aircraft is used for specific activities like:
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Agriculture
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Construction
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Photography
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Surveying
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Observation and patrol
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Aerial advertisement
Keep in mind that commercial and specialised operations can overlap. For example, if a farmer uses an aircraft for agricultural work on their own farm, it is non-commercial. But if the same farmer does this work on a neighbor’s farm for a fee, it becomes a commercial operation (though not a CAT, as there is no transportation involved).
Non-commercial Operations
Any operation that doesn’t fit the definition of a commercial operation is considered non-commercial. These operations are divided into two categories:
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Non-commercial with complex motor-powered aircraft (NCC)
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Non-commercial with other-than-complex motor-powered aircraft (NCO)
Complex motor-powered aircraft are defined as:
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An airplane with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5,700 kg or certified for more than nineteen passengers, or requiring a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or equipped with turbojet engines or multiple turboprop engines.
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A helicopter with a maximum take-off mass over 3,175 kg or certified for more than nine passengers, or needing at least two pilots, or a tilt-rotor aircraft.
Public Transport
Public transport is a commonly used term for commercial air transport or commercial operations. It is essential to distinguish this from the term “public aircraft” used in the United States, which roughly equates to ICAO’s State Aircraft.
