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ELA1 aircraft

EASA defines “ELA1 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.

‘ELA1 aircraft’ means the following manned European Light Aircraft:

(a)an aeroplane with a Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) of 1 200 kg or less that is not classified as complex motor-powered aircraft;

(b)a sailplane or powered sailplane of 1 200 kg MTOM or less;

(c)a balloon with a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3400 m3 for hot air balloons, 1 050 m3 for gas balloons, 300 m3 for tethered gas balloons;

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

‘ELA1 aircraft’ means the following manned European light aircraft:

(i)an aeroplane with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 1 200 kg or less that is not classified as complex motor-powered aircraft;

(ii)a sailplane or powered sailplane of 1 200 kg MTOM or less;

(iii)a balloon with a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3 400 m3 for hot air balloons, 1 050 m3 for gas balloons, 300 m3 for tethered gas balloons;

(iv)an airship designed for not more than four occupants and a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3 400 m3 for hot air airships and 1 000 m3 for gas airships;

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

“ELA1 aircraft” means the following manned European Light Aircraft:

(i)an aeroplane with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 1 200 kg or less that is not classified as complex motor-powered aircraft;

(ii)a sailplane or powered sailplane of 1 200 kg MTOM or less;

(iii)a balloon with a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3 400 m3 for hot air balloons, 1 050 m3 for gas balloons, 300 m3 for tethered gas balloons;

(iv)an airship designed for not more than four occupants and a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3 400 m3 for hot air airships and 1 000 m3 for gas airships;

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

Also in the aviation glossary

ELA1 aircraft EASA EPAS
ELA1 aircraft’ means the following manned European light aircraft: — an aeroplane with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 1 200 kg or less that is not classified as a complex motor-powered aircraft; — a sailplane or powered sailplane of 1 200 kg MTOM or less; — a balloon with a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3 400 m3 for hot air balloons, 1 050 m3 for gas balloons, and 300 m3 for tethered gas balloons.

Defined in the same article

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