What type of aircraft does the definition of Air Taxi encompass?

The definition of Air Taxi primarily encompasses turboprop aircraft because these are commonly utilized for short-distance travel and on-demand services. Turboprop planes are efficient for regional flights, capable of landing on shorter runways, and are often used to access smaller airports that may not accommodate larger aircraft. This makes them ideal for the air taxi market, where flexibility and efficiency are critical.

While light jets can also be part of the air taxi category, they are generally less common in typical air taxi operations due to their higher operating costs and longer runway requirements compared to turboprops. Helicopters do operate in similar capacities but are classified distinctly and are more specialized for specific types of short-range and vertical takeoff operations. Gliders, on the other hand, are not included in the air taxi definition as they are not powered aircraft and are primarily used for recreational purposes. The focus of air taxi service is on providing transport in a commercial capacity, which aligns more closely with turboprop aircraft capabilities.