Aircraft with an unladen weight below 450 kg are classified under 8802200115, which captures ultralights, light-sport aircraft (LSA), and certain experimental designs. Aircraft between 451 and 2,000 kg fall into the single-engine (8802200140), multi-engine (8802200150), or other non-military (8802200160) lines depending on engine count and configuration. The manufacturer's empty weight as stated in the aircraft's weight and balance documentation is the controlling figure.

For aircraft manufactured in a country with a bilateral aviation safety agreement (BASA) with the US — such as Canada, France, or Austria — the FAA typically accepts the foreign authority's type certificate as the basis for issuing a US type certificate or validating the design. The importer or owner then works with an FAA-designated airworthiness representative (DAR) to obtain an airworthiness certificate for the individual aircraft. For aircraft from countries without a BASA, the process is more involved and may require independent FAA type certification.