Plain English Meaning

Under FAA rules, an airplane counts as 'small' if its maximum allowed takeoff weight is 12,500 pounds or less. The term is about a weight category set by regulation, not about how the airplane looks or feels.

Full Definition

An airplane with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, as defined under 14 CFR Part 1.

Context Anchor

Seen in FAA handbooks, regulations, aircraft category discussions, and operating guidance that applies differently to smaller airplanes than to larger aircraft.

Derivation

In everyday speech, 'small' means physically little. In FAA usage, 'small airplane' is a defined regulatory category tied to a specific weight number, not to physical size.