---
title: "Sailplane — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Article 2, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘sailplane’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/sailplane"
---

# sailplane

EASA defines “sailplane” 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.

> ‘sailplane’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine;
>
> (1d) ’commercial operation’ means any operation of an aircraft, in return for remuneration or other valuable consideration, which is available for the public or, when not made available to the public, which is performed under a contract between an operator and a customer, where the latter has no control over the operator;

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)

> ‘sailplane’ means a heavier-than-air aircraft which is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine, including also hang gliders, paragliders and other comparable craft;

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)

> "Sailplane" means a heavier-than-air aircraft which is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine.

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)

## Defined in the same article

- [Accessible](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accessible)
- [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)