Definition
A special airworthiness certification category issued by the FAA for former military aircraft that have been converted for civilian use. Aircraft holding a Limited category airworthiness certificate may not be used to carry persons or property for hire, and their operations are restricted by the FAA based on the aircraft's intended purpose and history.
Plain English
A type of airworthiness certificate given to ex-military aircraft that are now in private hands. The aircraft can be flown, but it can't be used to make money by carrying paying passengers or cargo, and the FAA places extra rules on how it can be operated.
Context Anchor
Seen when reading an aircraft’s airworthiness certificate, operating limitations, or FAA records for aircraft that do not fit the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport categories.
Derivation
From Latin limitare, meaning 'to bound' or 'set a boundary.' The category is called 'Limited' because the FAA places clear boundaries on how the aircraft may be used — most importantly, no flying for hire.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing an aircraft holds a Limited certificate tells the pilot exactly which operations are legal and prevents unintentional regulatory violations.
Intuition Check
Limited does not just mean the aircraft is slightly restricted in an everyday sense. Here it names a specific FAA airworthiness certificate category with legal operating limits attached to it.
Example Sentence 1
The owner's restored P-51 Mustang holds a Limited category airworthiness certificate, so he can fly it to airshows but cannot offer paid rides in it.
Example Sentence 2
Before accepting a ferry assignment, the pilot confirmed the airplane’s Limited status would permit the planned cross-country delivery.