Which of the following lists all four airman certification categories?

• A. Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Lighter Than Air
• B. Airplane, Balloon, Jet, Seaplane
• C. Rotorcraft, Glider, Balloon, Submarine
• D. Airplane, Seaplane, Helicopter, Rocket

Answer: (A)

These categories group the kinds of aircraft you can legally pilot. The four recognized airman certificate categories are airplane, rotorcraft, glider, and lighter-than-air. Airplane refers to fixed-wing aircraft that generate lift with wings and typically operate from runways. Rotorcraft covers helicopters and similar aircraft that rely on rotating blades for lift. Glider includes engineless or minimally powered sailplanes that stay aloft by riding rising air. Lighter-than-air encompasses balloons and airships, which fly because their buoyant craft are less dense than the surrounding air. The other options mix aircraft types that aren’t separate categories (for example, jet or seaplane is not a standalone category, and balloon is just a type within the lighter-than-air category). This framing helps you understand which certificates cover the main ways pilots fly.