# Aircraft Type

The aircraft type asset contains information needed to consider the aircraft in the flight simulation. The aircraft type asset represents an aircraft "model" or "type certificate", like a DJI Mavic Pro, Rigitech Eiger or Airbus A320.

## Aircraft Type Dialog

You can create or modify aircraft type assets in the aircraft type dialog from the [NOVA Asset Manager](/nova/assets.md#nova-asset-manager). The dialog allows you to provide a name and to select the aircraft type ([Fixed-wing](#fixed-wing), [Multicopter](#multicopter), [Hybrid](#hybrid)).

<figure><img src="/files/DgOjVNmYy1sTTspZMlEO" alt=""><figcaption><p>Aircraft type dialog</p></figcaption></figure>

Optionally, the dialog allows you to link the following assets to the aircraft type:

* **Performance Set**\
  The performance of the aircraft type: speeds, climb rate, or endurance. This is needed to perform flight simulations along a defined route.\
  [Read More](/nova/assets/performance-set.md)
* **Aircraft Type Limit Set**\
  Limit sets that are specific to the capabilities of the aircraft type. These can be weather-related or performance-related factors.\
  [Read more](/nova/assets/limit-set.md#aircraft-type-limit-set)

***

## Fixed-wing

A fixed-wing aircraft that relies on aerodynamic wings for passive lift, e.g., a conventional airplane. They can stay in the air longer, carry heavier payloads, and exhibit better power efficiency.\
Control surfaces built into the wing (such as rudders, elevators, and ailerons) enable rotation around three perpendicular axes: vertical (yaw), lateral (pitch), and longitudinal (roll).

## Multicopter

Multicopter, or Multi-Rotor, drones have more than two rotors (typically three, four, six, or eight). The most common types are: Quadcopters with four rotors, hexacopters with six rotors, and octocopters with eight rotors. Multi-rotor drones are versatile and widely used for various applications, including mapping, surveillance, and photography.

## Hybrid

These aircraft feature a combination of rotors and fixed wing and thus merge the benefits of fixed-wing and multicopter designs, offering both endurance and vertical capabilities. This may be achieved by tilting rotors (“vectored thrust”) or independent sets of rotors that point in different directions (“lift and cruise”)

***

You can find out more about drone types on the EASA website:

{% embed url="<https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/drones-evtol-designs>" %}


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