Article 2 - Definitions

• Regulation (EU) 2024/1111 found in: Air Operations (965/2012) Part-ARO Part-ORO Part-CAT Part-SPA Part-NCC Part-NCO Part-SPO (Feb 2025)
• Regulation (EU) 2019/1384 found in: Air Operations (965/2012) Part-ARO Part-ORO Part-CAT Part-SPA Part-NCC Part-NCO Part-SPO (Sep 2023)
• Regulation (EU) 2025/133 found in: Air Operations Revision 24 Part-ARO Part-ORO Part-CAT Part-SPA Part-NCC Part-NCO Part-SPO (Mar 2026)

Article 2 - Definitions Regulation (EU) 2024/1111 For the purposes of this Regulation: (1) ‘aeroplane’ means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings; (1a) ‘helicopter’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on one or more power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes; [applicable until 30 April 2025 — Regulation (EU) 2019/1384] (1a) ‘rotorcraft’ means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by up to two rotors; (1aa) ‘helicopter’ means a type of rotorcraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on up to two power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes; *[applicable from 1 May 2025 — Regulation (EU) 2024/1111]* (1b) 'balloon' means a manned lighter-than-air aircraft which is not power-driven and sustains flight through the use of either a lighter-than-air gas or an airborne heater, including gas balloons, hot-air balloons, mixed balloons and, although power-driven, hot-air airships; (1c) ‘sailplane’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine; (1d) ’commercial operation’ means any operation of an aircraft, in return for remuneration or other valuable consideration, which is available for the public or, when not made available to the public, which is performed under a contract between an operator and a customer, where the latter has no control over the operator; (1e) ‘tethered gas balloon’ means a gas balloon with a tether system that continuously anchors the balloon to a fixed point during operation; (2) ‘performance class B aeroplanes’ means aeroplanes powered by propeller engines with a maximum operational passenger seating configuration of nine or less and a maximum take-off mass of 5 700 kg or less; (3) ‘public interest site (PIS)’ means a site used exclusively for operations in the public interest; (4) ‘operation in performance class 1’ means an operation that, in the event of failure of the critical engine, the helicopter is able to land within the rejected take-off distance available or safely continue the flight to an appropriate landing area, depending on when the failure occurs; (5) ‘performance-based navigation (PBN)’ means area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace; (6) ’air taxi operation' means, for the purpose of flight time and duty time limitations, a non-scheduled on demand commercial air transport operation with an aeroplane with a maximum operational passenger seating configuration ('MOPSC') of 19 or less; (7) ‘specialised operation’ means any operation, other than commercial air transport operation, where the aircraft is used for specialised activities such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, aerial advertisement, maintenance check flights; (8) ‘high risk commercial specialised operation’ means any commercial specialised aircraft operation carried out over an area where the safety of third parties on the ground is likely to be endangered in the event of an emergency, or, as determined by the competent authority of the place where the operation is conducted, any commercial specialised aircraft operation that, due to its specific nature and the local environment in which it is conducted, poses a high risk, in particular to third parties on the ground; (9) ‘introductory flight’ means any operation against remuneration or other valuable consideration consisting of an air tour of short duration for the purpose of attracting new trainees or new members, performed either by a training organisation referred to in Article 10a of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011[[7]](#_ftn7) or by an organisation created with the aim of promoting aerial sport or leisure aviation; (10) ‘competition flight’ means any flying activity where the aircraft is used in air races or contests, as well as where the aircraft is used to practice for air races or contests and to fly to and from racing or contest events; (11) ‘flying display’ means any flying activity deliberately performed for the purpose of providing an exhibition or entertainment at an advertised event open to the public, including where the aircraft is used to practice for a flying display and to fly to and from the advertised event. (12) ‘innovative air mobility (IAM) operations’ means any operation with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft in congested and non-congested areas; (13) ‘vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft’ (VCA) means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft other than aeroplane or rotorcraft, capable of performing vertical take-off and landing by means of lift and thrust units used to provide lift during the take-off and landing; (14) ‘VEMS flight’ means a flight with a VCA that operates under a VEMS approval, where immediate and rapid transportation is essential and the purpose of which is either to: (a) facilitate emergency medical assistance by carrying one or more of the following: (i) medical personnel; (ii) medical supplies (equipment, blood, organs, drugs); (iii) ill or injured persons and other persons directly involved, or (b) perform any operation where a person is at imminent or anticipated health risk from the environment and either: (i) needs to be rescued or provided with supplies; or (ii) persons, animals or equipment need to be transported to/from the VEMS operating site. *[applicable from 1 May 2025 — Regulation (EU) 2024/1111]* Additional definitions are laid down in [Annex I](#_DxCrossRefBm927677436) for the purposes of Annexes II to VIII. --- [[7]](#_ftnref7) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1). Article 2 - Definitions Regulation (EU) 2019/1384 For the purposes of this Regulation: (1) ‘aeroplane’ means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings; (1a) ‘helicopter’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on one or more power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes; (1b) 'balloon' means a manned lighter-than-air aircraft which is not power-driven and sustains flight through the use of either a lighter-than-air gas or an airborne heater, including gas balloons, hot-air balloons, mixed balloons and, although power-driven, hot-air airships; (1c) ‘sailplane’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine; (1d) ’commercial operation’ means any operation of an aircraft, in return for remuneration or other valuable consideration, which is available for the public or, when not made available to the public, which is performed under a contract between an operator and a customer, where the latter has no control over the operator; (1e) ‘tethered gas balloon’ means a gas balloon with a tether system that continuously anchors the balloon to a fixed point during operation; (2) ‘performance class B aeroplanes’ means aeroplanes powered by propeller engines with a maximum operational passenger seating configuration of nine or less and a maximum take-off mass of 5 700 kg or less; (3) ‘public interest site (PIS)’ means a site used exclusively for operations in the public interest; (4) ‘operation in performance class 1’ means an operation that, in the event of failure of the critical engine, the helicopter is able to land within the rejected take-off distance available or safely continue the flight to an appropriate landing area, depending on when the failure occurs; (5) ‘performance-based navigation (PBN)’ means area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace; (6) ’air taxi operation' means, for the purpose of flight time and duty time limitations, a non-scheduled on demand commercial air transport operation with an aeroplane with a maximum operational passenger seating configuration ('MOPSC') of 19 or less; (7) ‘specialised operation’ means any operation, other than commercial air transport operation, where the aircraft is used for specialised activities such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, aerial advertisement, maintenance check flights; (8) ‘high risk commercial specialised operation’ means any commercial specialised aircraft operation carried out over an area where the safety of third parties on the ground is likely to be endangered in the event of an emergency, or, as determined by the competent authority of the place where the operation is conducted, any commercial specialised aircraft operation that, due to its specific nature and the local environment in which it is conducted, poses a high risk, in particular to third parties on the ground; (9) ‘introductory flight’ means any operation against remuneration or other valuable consideration consisting of an air tour of short duration for the purpose of attracting new trainees or new members, performed either by a training organisation referred to in Article 10a of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011[[7]](#_ftn7) or by an organisation created with the aim of promoting aerial sport or leisure aviation; (10) ‘competition flight’ means any flying activity where the aircraft is used in air races or contests, as well as where the aircraft is used to practice for air races or contests and to fly to and from racing or contest events; (11) ‘flying display’ means any flying activity deliberately performed for the purpose of providing an exhibition or entertainment at an advertised event open to the public, including where the aircraft is used to practice for a flying display and to fly to and from the advertised event. Additional definitions are laid down in [Annex I](#_DxCrossRefBm318085074) for the purposes of Annexes II to VIII. --- [[7]](#_ftnref7) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1). ## Article 2 - Definitions *Regulation (EU) 2025/133* For the purposes of this Regulation: (1) ‘aeroplane’ means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings; (1a) ‘rotorcraft’ means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by up to two rotors; (1aa) ‘helicopter’ means a type of rotorcraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on up to two power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes; (1b) 'balloon' means a manned lighter-than-air aircraft which is not power-driven and sustains flight through the use of either a lighter-than-air gas or an airborne heater, including gas balloons, hot-air balloons, mixed balloons and, although power-driven, hot-air airships; (1c) ‘sailplane’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine; (1d) ’commercial operation’ means any operation of an aircraft, in return for remuneration or other valuable consideration, which is available for the public or, when not made available to the public, which is performed under a contract between an operator and a customer, where the latter has no control over the operator; (1e) ‘tethered gas balloon’ means a gas balloon with a tether system that continuously anchors the balloon to a fixed point during operation; (2) ‘performance class B aeroplanes’ means aeroplanes powered by propeller engines with a maximum operational passenger seating configuration of nine or less and a maximum take-off mass of 5 700 kg or less; (3) ‘public interest site (PIS)’ means a site used exclusively for operations in the public interest; (4) ‘operation in performance class 1’ means an operation that, in the event of failure of the critical engine, the helicopter is able to land within the rejected take-off distance available or safely continue the flight to an appropriate landing area, depending on when the failure occurs; (5) ‘performance-based navigation (PBN)’ means area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace; (6) ’air taxi operation' means, for the purpose of flight time and duty time limitations, a non-scheduled on demand commercial air transport operation with an aeroplane with a maximum operational passenger seating configuration ('MOPSC') of 19 or less; (7) ‘specialised operation’ means any operation, other than commercial air transport operation, where the aircraft is used for specialised activities such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, aerial advertisement, maintenance check flights; (8) ‘high risk commercial specialised operation’ means any commercial specialised aircraft operation carried out over an area where the safety of third parties on the ground is likely to be endangered in the event of an emergency, or, as determined by the competent authority of the place where the operation is conducted, any commercial specialised aircraft operation that, due to its specific nature and the local environment in which it is conducted, poses a high risk, in particular to third parties on the ground; (9) ‘introductory flight’ means any operation against remuneration or other valuable consideration consisting of an air tour of short duration for the purpose of attracting new trainees or new members, performed either by a training organisation referred to in Article 10a of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011[[7]](#_ftn7) or by an organisation created with the aim of promoting aerial sport or leisure aviation; (10) ‘competition flight’ means any flying activity where the aircraft is used in air races or contests, as well as where the aircraft is used to practice for air races or contests and to fly to and from racing or contest events; (11) ‘flying display’ means any flying activity deliberately performed for the purpose of providing an exhibition or entertainment at an advertised event open to the public, including where the aircraft is used to practice for a flying display and to fly to and from the advertised event. (12) ‘innovative air mobility (IAM) operations’ means any operation with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft in congested and non-congested areas; (13) ‘vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft’ (VCA) means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft other than aeroplane or rotorcraft, capable of performing vertical take-off and landing by means of lift and thrust units used to provide lift during the take-off and landing; (14) ‘VEMS flight’ means a flight with a VCA that operates under a VEMS approval, where immediate and rapid transportation is essential and the purpose of which is either to: (a) facilitate emergency medical assistance by carrying one or more of the following: (i) medical personnel; (ii) medical supplies (equipment, blood, organs, drugs); (iii) ill or injured persons and other persons directly involved, or (b) perform any operation where a person is at imminent or anticipated health risk from the environment and either: (i) needs to be rescued or provided with supplies; or (ii) persons, animals or equipment need to be transported to/from the VEMS operating site. (15) ‘gyroplane’ means a type of rotorcraft supported in flight by the reactions of the air on up to two rotors which rotate freely on substantially vertical axes. Additional definitions are laid down in [Annex I](#_DxCrossRefBm523086940) for the purposes of Annexes II to VIII. --- [[7]](#_ftnref7) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1).