---
title: "Critical phases of flight — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘critical phases of flight’ in the case of aeroplanes or…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/critical-phases-of-flight"
---

# critical phases of flight

EASA defines “critical phases of flight” in one regulation, with a separate wording for each case. The wording below is reproduced verbatim from the EASA Easy Access Rules, with a link to the paragraph it comes from.

> ‘critical phases of flight’ in the case of aeroplanes or gyroplanes means the take-off run, the take-off flight path, the final approach, the missed approach, the landing, including the landing roll, and any other phases of flight as determined by the pilot-in-command or commander;

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)

> ‘critical phases of flight’ means:
>
> (a) for helicopters, taxiing, hovering, take-off, final approach, missed approach, landing and any other phases of flight as determined by the pilot-in-command or the commander;
>
> (b) for VCA, ground taxiing with passengers for the purpose of flight or after landing, air taxiing, hovering, take-off, final approach, missed approach (go-around), landing and any other phase of flight as determined by the pilot-in-command;

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)

## 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)
- [aided night vision imaging system (NVIS) flight](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aided-night-vision-imaging-system-flight)