FAQ n.20103

An Organization designing:

• a piston engine, or
• a fixed or adjustable pitch propeller, or
• an aircraft belonging to ELA 1 or ELA 2 Category, or
• an engine or a propeller installed in an ELA1 or ELA 2  aircraft

is exempt from being required to have a DOA. (See 21.A.14(b) and (c))

Following definitions apply (COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 748/2012, article 1):

“ELA1 aircraft” means the following manned European Light Aircraft:

1. an aeroplane with a Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) of 1200 kg or less that is not classified as “complex motor-powered aircraft”;
2. a sailplane or powered sailplane of 1200 kg MTOM or less;
3. a balloon with a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3400 m3 for hot air balloons, 1050 m3 for gas balloons, 300 m3 for tethered gas balloons;
4. an airship designed for not more than four occupants and a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3400 m3 for hot air airships and 1000 m3 for gas airships;

“ELA2 aircraft” means the following manned European Light Aircraft:

1. an aeroplane with a Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) of 2000 kg or less that is not classified as “complex motor-powered aircraft”;
2. a sailplane or powered sailplane of 2000 kg MTOM or less;
3. a balloon;
4. a hot air ship;
5. a gas airship meeting all of the following elements:
   • 3% maximum static heaviness,
   • Non-vectored thrust (except reverse thrust),
   • Conventional and simple design of: structure, control system and ballonet system
   • Non-power assisted controls;
6. a Very Light Rotorcraft.

An aeroplane, meeting the MTOM requirements for ELA 1 or ELA 2 Category, is nevertheless classified as “complex motor-powered aircraft ” when it is certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or it is equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine.