Airworthiness — fitness for flight — is one of the main factors influencing aircraft design. This joint paper discusses the problems of managing airworthiness and some of the methods used in an aircraft design organisation dealing with new and development designs and ‘in service’ aircraft.

External standards of airworthiness are set by many national and international authorities and it is vital that the aircraft manufacturer plays his part in setting these standards so that the implication on operational economics and production liability are considered. In addition the manufacturer sets his own internal standards of airworthiness. The relationship between civil and military airworthiness requirements are reviewed.