What are the three categories of aircraft?

The correct categorization of aircraft includes airplane, rotorcraft, and lighter-than-air. This classification effectively encompasses the various types of aircraft based on their design and operational characteristics.

Airplanes are characterized by fixed wings and require forward motion to generate lift. Rotorcraft, such as helicopters, utilize rotating blades to create lift and can hover in place, allowing for vertical takeoff and landing. Lighter-than-air craft, including hot air balloons and airships, achieve lift through buoyancy, relying on the principle that heated air or gas that's less dense than the surrounding air allows the craft to float.

This classification is foundational within aviation and helps in understanding the different performance characteristics, regulations, and operations associated with each type. The other options mix terms or focus on subsets of aircraft rather than a clear theoretical framework that categorizes all types. For instance, gliders and balloons are indeed aircraft but do not capture the comprehensive understanding of rotorcraft and airplanes within aviation regulation and operation.