---
title: "Aircraft — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘aircraft’ means a machine that can derive support in the…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft"
---

# aircraft

EASA defines “aircraft” in 7 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.

> ‘aircraft’ means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;

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](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/definitions/powers-and-recitals#annex-i-definitions-for-terms-used-in-annexes-ii-to-ix)

> ‘aircraft’ means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;

Article 2 · Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) · Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 26 Aug 2025 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/sera/cover-regulation/powers-and-recital#article-2)

> ‘aircraft’ means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than reactions of the air against the earth's surface;

Article 2 · Continuing Airworthiness · Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 2 Sep 2025 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/continuing-airworthiness/cover-regulation/powers-and-recital#article-2)

> "Aircraft" means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface.

FCL.010 · Aircrew · Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · Easy Access Rules, 25 Nov 2025 revision · [Read FCL.010](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aircrew/part-fcl/subpart-a#fcl-010)

> 'aircraft’ means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;

Article 2 · Aerodromes · Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 13 Mar 2026 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aerodromes/cover-regulation/powers-and-recitals#article-2)

> ‘Aircraft’ means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface.

CS ADR-DSN.A.002 · Aerodromes · Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 13 Mar 2026 revision · [Read CS ADR-DSN.A.002](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aerodromes/cs-adr-dsn/chapter-a-general#cs-adr-dsn-a-002)

> ‘aircraft’ means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than reactions of the air against the earth's surface;

Article 3 · Basic Regulation · Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 · Easy Access Rules, 16 Jan 2023 revision · [Read Article 3](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/basic-regulation/chapter-i-principles#article-3)

> ‘aircraft’ means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;

Article 2 · Occurrence Reporting · Regulation (EU) No 376/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 27 Sep 2023 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/occurrence-reporting/regulation-eu-no-376-2014/cover-regulation#article-2)

## Also in the aviation glossary

- Aircraft FAA PHAK

  A device that is used, or intended to be used, for flight.

## Defined in the same article

- [accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accelerate-stop-distance-available)
- [acceptable means of compliance (AMC)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptable-means-of-compliance)
- [acceptance checklist](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptance-checklist)
- [Accessible](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accessible)
- [accident](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accident)
- [accuracy](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accuracy)
- [adequate aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-aerodrome)
- [adequate vertiport](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-vertiport)