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complex motor-powered aircraft

EASA defines “complex motor-powered aircraft” in 3 regulations, worded for each regulation's scope. The wording below is reproduced verbatim from the EASA Easy Access Rules, with a link to the paragraph it comes from.

‘complex motor-powered aircraft’ shall mean:

(a)an aeroplane:

— with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5 700 kg, or

— certificated for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen, or

— certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

— equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine, or

(b)a helicopter certificated:

(i)for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3 175 kg, or

(ii)for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine, or

(iii)for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

(c)a tilt rotor aircraft;

Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX · Air Operations · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 27 Mar 2026 revision · Read the article

‘complex motor-powered aircraft’ means:

(i)an aeroplane:

with a maximum certified take-off mass exceeding 5 700 kg, or

certified for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than 19, or

certified for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine; or

(ii)a helicopter certified:

for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3 175 kg, or

for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine, or

for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots; or

(iii)a non-conventional aircraft certified:

for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 5 700 kg, or

for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3 175 kg if it can maintain zero horizontal speed in flight, or

for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine.

Article 2 · Continuing Airworthiness · Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 2 Sep 2025 revision · Read Article 2

“complex motor-powered aircraft” means:

(i)an aeroplane

with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5 700 kg, or

certificated for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen, or

certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine, or

(ii)a helicopter certificated:

for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3 175 kg, or

for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine, or

for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

(iii)a tilt rotor aircraft.

Article 1 · Initial Airworthiness and Environmental Protection · Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 27 Nov 2025 revision · Read Article 1