Aircraft - Indian Laws - General

Aircraft Aircraft Act, 1934 describe the aircraft as under:- Aircraft means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere from reactions of the air (other than reactions of the air against the earth s surface) and includes balloons, whether fixed or free, airships, kites, gliders and flying machines. Further, Encyclopedia Britannica (Macropaedia) Vol. I describe the aircraft in broad two categories which are defined as under:- All aircraft fall into two general categories lighter than air or hearvier-than-air . Several distinct types are recognized within each group. Each may perform a variety of missions calling for modifications for special usage. Lighter-than-air craft rise and float because they displace a volume of air the weight of which is equal to or greater than the total weight of the aircraft. Such aircraft include balloons and airships. Heavier-than-air craft derive their flight capability (lift) form the dynamic reaction of air flowing around suitably shaped surfaces (wings or airfoils). Such craft include gliders and sailplanes, conventional airplanes, short takeoff and landing (STOL) airplanes, and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in its Aviation Glossary Terms Definitions has defined Aircraft and Aeroplane as under:- Aircraft An aircraft is any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth s surface (ICAO Annex.1, Annex 6 Part I). Aeroplane A power driven heavier than air aircraft, deriving its lift in flight chiefly from aerodynamic reactions on surfaces which remain fixed under given conditions of flight (ICAO Annex I, Annex 6) CIT VERSUS SRC AVIATION PVT LTD - 2012 (9) TMI 296 - DELHI HIGH COURT