---
title: "ELA1 aircraft — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘ELA1 aircraft’ means the following manned European Light Aircraft:"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/ela1-aircraft"
---

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

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

- [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)