Types of drones

Drones are classified into the following categories and sizes (types).

A model aircraft is a drone or remote controlled aircraft, flown for sport or recreation – for fun.

A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) is a drone flown for business or as part of your job – commercially.

Categories

Multi-rotor helicopter

This type has more than one power-driven engine (rotor) that rotate or turn vertically. It takes off, lands, flies and hovers like a traditional 'single rotor' helicopter but has more than one rotor.

Single-rotor helicopter

This type has one power-driven engine (rotor) and looks a bit like a traditional helicopter. It usually also has another rotor on the tail or end of the aircraft.

Aeroplane

This type looks and flies like a regular plane – it has fixed wings. It also takes off and lands horizontally and usually can't hover.

Powered-lift

This type can take off and land vertically (straight up and down) like a helicopter, but can then move into forward flight like a traditional plane.

Airship

This type is engine powered and is 'lighter than air' - it can be filled with a buoyant gas and usually 'floats' in the air. A blimp is a good example of an airship.

These are plain-English descriptions. The definitions for each type are available from:

• Multi and Single-rotor helicopter - Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Volume 5, Dictionary, Part 1 – Definitions (both covered by the common 'helicopter' definition)
• Aeroplane - Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Volume 5, Dictionary, Part 1 – Definitions
• Powered-lift and Airship - Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Volume 5, Dictionary, Part 1 - Definitions.

Sizes (types)