A utility aircraft is a general-purpose
lightairplane or
helicopter, usually used for transporting people, freight or other supplies, but is also used for other duties when more specialized aircraft are not required or available.
The term can also refer to an aircraft
type certificated under American, Canadian, European or Australian regulations as a Utility Category Aircraft, which indicates that it is permitted to conduct limited
aerobatics. The approved maneuvers include
chandelles,
lazy eights,
spins and
steep turns over 60° of bank.[1][2][3]
In the United States, military utility aircraft are given the prefix U in their
designations.
See also
FAR Part 23 (refers to "utility category" in United States aviation regulations)