Multi Engine Rating?

Question

Looking for an answer, and proof (FAA PUBlication).

Why is Multi Engine considered an Airmen Certificate Class, AND a rating?

I know the definition of both, but I cant understand why some call it a rating, when it is actually a class of airman certificate.

Ratings are privileges, Classes are (with respect to airmen certifications) groups of aircraft types, based on operating characteristics.

Anyone out there know the answer, or where it is found?

Answer 1

It's a class.

Answer 2

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you get a rating for a category and a class.  Just like a type rating, you get a rating for a class, but a class really isn't a rating.  Does that make sense?

Answer 3

Rating means a statement that, as a part of a certificate, sets forth special conditions, privileges, or limitations.

14 cfr part 1 sec 1.1

Answer 4

From FAR 1.1:

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Category:

(1) As used with respect to the certification, ratings, privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a broad classification of aircraft. Examples include: airplane; rotorcraft; glider; and lighter-than-air; and

(2) As used with respect to the certification of aircraft, means a grouping of aircraft based upon intended use or operating limitations. Examples include: transport, normal, utility, acrobatic, limited, restricted, and provisional.

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Class:

(1) As used with respect to the certification, ratings, privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a classification of aircraft within a category having similar operating characteristics. Examples include: single engine; multiengine; land; water; gyroplane; helicopter; airship; and free balloon; and

(2) As used with respect to the certification of aircraft, means a broad grouping of aircraft having similar characteristics of propulsion, flight, or landing. Examples include: airplane; rotorcraft; glider; balloon; landplane; and seaplane.

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Rating means a statement that, as a part of a certificate, sets forth special conditions, privileges, or limitations.

<end of pasting regulations>

I think you already knew about that.  I'll try to clarify.  There's no such thing as a class of airman certificate.  Airman certificates have grades and ratings.  The grade of the certificate is student, recreational, light sport, private, commercial, or ATP, which is listed on line IX of the airman certificate.  All operating privileges are in the form of ratings, which are listed on line XII of the airman certificate.  The ratings have categories and classes, and sometimes types.  My ratings are Airplane: single engine land & sea, multiengine land, plus a few type ratings.  As far as ratings go,

My certificate grade is ATP.

I hold ratings in:

Category: Airplane

Class: Single engine land, single engine sea, multiengine land

Type: Various turbine types.

Airplane-multiengine land is an aircraft category and class, but the operating privileges are granted as a rating.

Answer 5

Yeah, it's a class. Folks just use the term rating 'cause it's convenient, if not wholly accurate. Kinda like calling the certificate a license. We all know to what we are referring, some just want to be more anal-retentive about it.