Definition
The state of an aircraft in which it conforms to its FAA type certificate (and any approved modifications) and is in a condition for safe operation. An aircraft is in airworthy condition only when both criteria are met: it matches its approved design, and all required inspections, maintenance, and component life limits are current.
Plain English
The aircraft is built the way it was approved to be built, and everything on it is currently working safely and up to date on inspections. If either of those is not true, it is not airworthy.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter this term during preflight checks, aircraft logbook review, maintenance discussions, and decisions about whether an aircraft may legally and safely be flown.
Derivation
Airworthy' joins 'air' with 'worthy,' meaning 'fit for' or 'deserving of.' Literally, 'fit for the air.' The word makes the standard plain: the aircraft must earn the right to fly, every flight.
Why Pilots Care
Only an airworthy aircraft may be flown legally; discovering a non-airworthy condition grounds the plane until corrected.
Intuition Check
Do not assume airworthy condition means “it can probably fly.” It means two things at once: the aircraft is legally correct and actually safe for the flight you are about to make.
Example Sentence 1
Before each flight, the pilot in command must determine that the aircraft is in an airworthy condition.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot reviewed the maintenance records to confirm the airplane remained in airworthy condition before the cross-country flight.