Definition
A heavier-than-air aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low-speed flight that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift during these flight regimes, and on non-rotating airfoils for lift during horizontal flight.
Plain English
An aircraft that can take off and land straight up like a helicopter, but flies forward like an airplane using fixed wings. At low speeds it relies on its engines to hold it up; at higher speeds the wings do the work.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA aircraft category definitions, pilot/controller communication, and procedures for aircraft that can operate both vertically and in forward flight.
Derivation
"Powered" refers to the engines actively producing lift, and "lift" is the upward force that holds an aircraft up. The term distinguishes these aircraft from airplanes (where wings alone produce lift in flight) and helicopters (where rotors alone produce lift). Powered-lift aircraft transition between the two methods.
Why Pilots Care
Determines the specific pilot certificate, ratings, and operating rules that apply to the aircraft.
Grounding Statement
Picture an aircraft rising straight up under engine power, then accelerating forward and being supported mainly by its wings.
Intuition Check
Powered-lift does not simply mean “an aircraft with an engine” or “any aircraft that produces lift.” It means a specific aircraft category that uses engine power for vertical or very slow flight and wing lift for forward flight.
Example Sentence 1
The V-22 Osprey is a powered-lift aircraft because it lifts off vertically using its tilting rotors, then transitions to forward flight on its wings.
Example Sentence 2
FAA regulations list powered-lift separately from airplanes when specifying certificate privileges.