Definition of Aircraft

Verified from official sources
CHAPTER 1 | GeneralVersion 1Effective -Verified 21 August 2026

In plain language

An aircraft is any machine that flies by reacting with the air (excluding ground-effect vehicles).

Requirement as structured

An aircraft is any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than reactions of the air against the earth's surface.

Original regulatory text

‘aircraft’ means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than reactions of the air against the earth's surface;

Applies when

country
United Kingdom
regulatory category
General