Plain English Meaning

A faster, more powerful airplane whose wheels tuck up into the body after takeoff. It flies quicker than a typical training plane and demands more attention from the pilot, particularly when mixing with slower traffic at small airports.

Full Definition

An informal category of airplane that combines a high-performance engine (more than 200 horsepower, per 14 CFR 61.31) with retractable landing gear that folds into the airframe in flight. These aircraft are faster and more capable than basic trainers, and they require additional pilot endorsements and greater workload management, especially around busy or .