Definition
The FAA process by which an aircraft, engine, propeller, or related product is formally certified as meeting approved design and safety standards and is therefore legal to operate. The governing rules are found in 14 CFR Part 21, which sets out the procedures for issuing type certificates, production certificates, and airworthiness certificates for aircraft and their major components.
Plain English
It is the official approval system that confirms an aircraft (and its key parts) was built to an approved design, meets safety standards, and is allowed to fly.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft maintenance records, repairs, alterations, inspections, and whether an aircraft may be returned to service.
Derivation
‘Airworthy’ combines ‘air’ with ‘worthy’ — literally ‘fit for the air.’ ‘Certification’ comes from the Latin ‘certus’ (sure, settled). Together the phrase means an official confirmation that the aircraft is fit and safe to fly.
Why Pilots Care
An aircraft cannot be flown legally or safely without valid certification after repairs or modifications.
Intuition Check
Do not read certification as a one-time guarantee that the aircraft is always safe. In this context, it means official approval based on the aircraft meeting required standards at the relevant time.
Example Sentence 1
Before signing off the modification, the mechanic confirmed it complied with the rules governing airworthiness certification of aircraft and related products.
Example Sentence 2
The owner checked the airworthiness certification of aircraft and related products before purchasing the used airplane.