**6.1 Airworthiness**

Airworthiness in a simple term can be defined as 'fit to fly'; however, in an actual sense, it is defined as 'demonstrated capability of an airborne store to perform satisfactorily and fulfil the mission requirements, throughout the specified life in the prevailing environments with acceptable level of safety and reliability'*.* The 'Federal Aviation Administration' (FAA) declares an aircraft is airworthy if it conforms to its type design and if it is in a condition for safe flight. The first part of the FAA definition describes the airworthiness requirement for 'certification', and the second part of the definition refers to the 'continued airworthiness' which regulates the repair, maintenance and operation throughout the life span of the aircraft [11–27].
