---
title: "Complex motor-powered aircraft — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘complex motor-powered aircraft’ shall mean:"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/complex-motor-powered-aircraft"
---

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

> ‘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](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/continuing-airworthiness/cover-regulation/powers-and-recital#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](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/initial-airworthiness/cover-regulation/general#article-1)

## 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)
- [adequate aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-aerodrome)
- [adequate vertiport](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-vertiport)
- [adult](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adult)
- [aerodrome operating minima](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-operating-minima)
- [aeroplane](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aeroplane)