---
title: "Rotorcraft — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Article 2, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘rotorcraft’ means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/rotorcraft"
---

# rotorcraft

EASA defines “rotorcraft” in 4 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.

> ‘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;

Article 2 · Air Operations · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 27 Mar 2026 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/cover-regulation/powers-and-recitals#article-2)

> ‘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;
>
> 85a. ‘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;
>
> 85b. ‘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 take-off and landing;

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)

> ‘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;

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)

> “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;

Article 2 · Aircrew · Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · Easy Access Rules, 25 Nov 2025 revision · [Read Article 2](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aircrew/cover-regulation/powers-and-recitals#article-2)

## Defined in the same article

- [acceptable means of compliance (AMC)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptable-means-of-compliance)
- [accuracy](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accuracy)
- [advisory airspace](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/advisory-airspace)
- [advisory route](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/advisory-route)
- [aerial work](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerial-work)
- [aerobatic flight](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerobatic-flight)
- [aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome)
- [aerodrome control service](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-control-service)