Flying car
A consumer term for personal flying vehicles, sometimes including roadable aircraft. It is not an FAA pilot certificate category.
eVTOL
Electric vertical takeoff and landing. A description of a technology or capability, not a universal pilot qualification.
Powered-lift
An aircraft category combining vertical/low-speed lift characteristics with wing-borne forward flight. See the FAA definition and aircraft certification documents.
Pilot certificate
An FAA credential establishing pilot privileges and limitations. Often called a pilot license in everyday language.
Category rating
A qualification for a broad aircraft category, such as airplane, rotorcraft, or powered-lift.
Type rating
A qualification for a specific aircraft type where required, distinct from the broader category rating.
Airworthiness certificate
An aircraft document, distinct from the pilot's qualifications. Its category and operating limitations matter.
Light-sport category
An aircraft certification category. It does not automatically establish sport pilot eligibility for every aircraft in it.
MOSAIC
Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification, the FAA rule expanding aspects of light-sport certification and sport pilot privileges.
SFAR
Special Federal Aviation Regulation. The powered-lift transition framework includes SFAR No. 120.
Part 103 ultralight
A vehicle meeting the narrow eligibility and operating conditions in 14 CFR Part 103.
Practical test
An evaluation of the knowledge and skills required for a particular pilot certificate or rating, often called a checkride.

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Reference sources