A recreational aircraft is defined as any powered or unpowerd craft that is capable of sustained controlled flight for pleasure or sport of the pilot.

Aircraft can be classified as fixed wing, rotary wing, flex wings or airships. There are more fixed wing aircraft than any other type or aircraft. Fixed wing aircraft are sometimes called rigid wing aircraft because of the stiffness of the wing in comparison to a flex wing aircraft. Flex wing aircraft are most often classified as extreme aircraft and considered to be more risky to navigate.

Fixed wing and flex wing aircraft have an airfoil wing. Powered fixed wing and flex wing aircraft generally gain forward momentum through the use of an engine and propeller, or a jet engine. Unpowered fixed wing and flex wing aircraft gains forward motion through the use of gravity. The forward motion of the aircraft creates unequal pressure on the top and bottom of the airfoil which causes the aircraft to achieve lift.

Airships can achieve forward motion either through a propeller and engine or through the use of the prevailing wind. Blimps are powered with an engine and propeller. Balloons gain altitude through the use of hot air or helium and are subject to the directions of the prevailing winds for forward motion. Most often blimps and dirigibles are used for commercial purposes and seldom used for recreational purposes.

Rotary wing aircraft such as helicopters and gyrocopters use a spinning rotar to provide forward motion and lift.

Unpowered aircraft can gain altitude through the use of thermals, ridge lift, wave lift, or gases such as helium. Unpowered aircraft other than balloons can also gain altitude by exchanging speed for altitude gain.

Powered and Unpowered Aircraft
Aircraft Classification	Powered	Unpowered
Airships	Blimps, Dirigibles	Balloons
Flex Wing	Powered Parachutes, Powered Paragliders, Ultralight Trikes	Hang Gliders, Parachutes, Paragliders
Fixed Wing	Airplanes, Ultralights	Hang Gliders, Sailplanes
Rotary Wing	Gyrocopters, Helicopters	---