Definition
A flight conducted to evaluate the performance, handling, or airworthiness of an aircraft, system, or component, or to assess the proficiency of a pilot for the issuance of a certificate or rating.
Plain English
A flight done specifically to check something — either how the aircraft performs or how well the pilot can fly — rather than for travel or training.
Context Anchor
Seen in certification, maintenance, aircraft performance, and pilot evaluation discussions.
Derivation
“Flight” refers to an aircraft being operated in the air. “Test” comes from the idea of proving or checking something. Together, “flight test” means checking something by actually flying, not just by inspecting it on the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Flight tests confirm an aircraft is safe and airworthy before returning it to normal service or approving new designs.
Intuition Check
A flight test is not just any flight where someone is learning or being questioned. In FAA use, it means a flight with a specific checking or evaluation purpose.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine overhaul, the mechanic and pilot performed a flight test to confirm all systems operated normally before returning the aircraft to service.
Example Sentence 2
During the flight test the pilot recorded climb performance data needed for the new weight-and-balance approval.