---
title: "Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Article 2, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft’ (VCA) means a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/vertical-take-off-and-landing--capable-aircraft"
---

# vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft

EASA defines “vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft” in 2 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.

> ‘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 the take-off and landing;

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)

> “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 · 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)
- [aeroplane](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aeroplane)
- [Aircrew](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircrew)
- [alternative means of compliance](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/alternative-means-of-compliance)
- [approved training organisation (ATO)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/approved-training-organisation)
- [ARO.RAMP](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aroramp)
- [Automatically validated](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/automatically-validated)
- [balloon](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/balloon)