Definition
An aircraft certificated for operation by one pilot, meaning the aircraft's type certificate and the regulations governing its operation do not require a second pilot or flight crewmember at the controls.
Plain English
An aircraft that is approved to be flown by just one pilot, with no requirement for a co-pilot or second crewmember.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft operating rules, aircraft approval information, training requirements, and discussions of pilot workload.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether a second pilot is required by regulation and affects training, insurance, and cockpit procedures.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this means the aircraft has only one seat or that only one pilot may be on board. It means one qualified pilot is enough to operate it when the rules for that flight allow it.
Example Sentence 1
The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single piloted aircraft, so a properly rated pilot may operate it without a co-pilot.
Example Sentence 2
Before departure the pilot confirmed the aircraft was a single piloted model and no second crew member was needed.