Editing Commercial aviation (section)

==Definition==
Commercial aviation is not a rigorously defined category. All [[Airline|commercial air transport]] and aerial work operations are regarded as commercial aviation, as well as some [[General Aviation|general aviation]] flights. 

An aircraft operation involving the transportation of people, goods, or mail for payment or hiring is referred to as commercial air transport. Both scheduled and unscheduled air transport operations are included. An aircraft used for specialized services including agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, advertising, etc. is referred to as aerial work.

<ref name="ICAO1">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.verifavia.com/bases/ressource_pdf/299/icao-annex-6-part-i.pdf|title=Annex 6, Operation of Aircraft Part I, International Commercial Air Transport – Aeroplanes|edition=9|date=July 2010|publisher=International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)|chapter=1. Definitions|pages=1, 3 and 5|isbn=9789292315368|access-date=17 March 2019|archive-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209140014/https://www.verifavia.com/bases/ressource_pdf/299/icao-annex-6-part-i.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> General aviation includes commercial activities such as [[flight training|flight instruction]], aerial work, and corporate and business aviation, as well as non-commercial activities such as recreational flying.

Most commercial aviation activities require at minimum a [[commercial pilot licence]], and some require an [[airline transport pilot licence]] (ATPL). In the US, the [[pilot in command]] of a scheduled air carriers' aircraft must hold an ATPL.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airline_certification/air_carrier/ |title=14 CFR Part 121 Air Carrier Certification |website=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=2021-10-10 |archive-date=2021-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010145123/https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airline_certification/air_carrier/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the UK, pilots must hold an ATPL before they be pilot in command of an aircraft with 9 or more passenger seats.<ref>{{cite web|title=The EASA ATPL|url=http://www.speedbird103.com/easa-atpl/|website=Speedbird103.com|access-date=4 April 2015|archive-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404022801/http://www.speedbird103.com/easa-atpl/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Not all activities involving pilot remuneration require a commercial pilot licence. For example, in [[European Union Aviation Safety Agency]] states<ref>EASA Part FCL, Annex 1, Subpart J, Section 2, 915.FI (b)</ref> and the UK<ref>Air Navigation Order 2016, Schedule 8, Part 1, Chapter 1, Remuneration Condition.</ref> it is possible to become a paid flight instructor with only a [[private pilot licence]]. Nonetheless, in the UK, flight instruction is considered a commercial operation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviation/Aircraft-ownership-and-maintenance/Use-of-National-Permit-to-Fly-for-flight-instruction-and-self-fly-hire/|title = Use of National Permit to Fly for flight instruction and self fly hire &#124; Civil Aviation Authority}}</ref>

It is the purpose of the flight, not the aircraft or pilot, that determines whether the flight is commercial or private.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/section-1.1|title=FAR 1.1 General definitions, Commercial operator|access-date=2021-10-11|archive-date=2021-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924034217/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/section-1.1|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, if a commercially licensed pilot flies a plane to visit a friend or attend a business meeting, this would be a private flight. Conversely, a private pilot could legally fly a multi-engine complex aircraft carrying passengers for non-commercial purposes (no compensation paid to the pilot, and a ''[[pro rata]]'' or larger portion of the aircraft operating expenses paid by the pilot).