TechnologyAugust 17, 2026

airworthiness

AIR-wur-thee-nus

Definition

The ability of an aircraft to operate safely in flight, confirming it meets the regulatory design and maintenance standards required by aviation authorities.

Etymology

The word combines the Middle English 'air' with 'worthiness,' denoting the quality of being deserving or suitable, which evolved to describe an aircraft's fitness to fly safely.

In the news

Merlin received an experimental airworthiness certificate, which is a formal regulatory status that authorizes the company to conduct flight testing on its autonomous systems.

Merlin Clears AI Certification Hurdle in New Zealand

Read the full article ↗

Leeham News and Analysis

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