---
title: "CAT.GEN.MPA.130 Rotor engagement — helicopters — Part-CAT · Avioverse"
description: "A helicopter rotor shall only be turned under power for the purpose of flight with a qualified pilot at the controls."
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-a/cat-gen-mpa-130"
---

# CAT.GEN.MPA.130 Rotor engagement — helicopters

ANNEX IV (Part-CAT) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

Official sources: [EASA Easy Access Rules (opens in a new tab)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-air-operations) · [EUR-Lex 2012/965 (opens in a new tab)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32012R0965)

IR Implementing rule

## CAT.GEN.MPA.130 Rotor engagement — helicopters

A [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) rotor shall only be turned under power for the purpose of flight with a qualified pilot at the controls.

IR · CAT.GEN.MPA.130 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 CAT.GEN.MPA.130 Rotor engagement — helicopters

INTENT OF THE RULE

(a) The following two situations where it is allowed to turn the rotor under power should be distinguished:

(1) for the purpose of flight, this is described in the Implementing Rule;

(2) for maintenance purposes.

(b) Rotor engagement for the purpose of flight: the pilot should not leave the control when the rotors are turning. For example, the pilot is not allowed to get out of the [aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft) in order to welcome passengers and adjust their seat belts with the rotors turning.

(c) Rotor engagement for the purpose of maintenance: the Implementing Rule, however, does not prevent ground runs being conducted by qualified personnel other than pilots for maintenance purposes.

The following conditions should be applied:

(1) the operator should ensure that the qualification of personnel, other than pilots, who are authorised to conduct maintenance runs is described in the appropriate manual;

(2) ground runs should not include taxiing the [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter);

(3) there should be no passengers on board; and

(4) maintenance runs should not include collective increase or autopilot engagement (due to the risk of ground resonance).

GM · GM1 CAT.GEN.MPA.130 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/015/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART A: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-a)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 2 Nov 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.