airworthyadj.
/ˈɛːˌwəːði/, U.S. /ˈɛrˌwərði/ Of an aircraft, etc.: in a fit condition to fly. Also in extended use.
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society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > qualities and parameters of aircraft > [adjective] > airworthy
airworthy1829
flyable1963
1829 Mechanics' Mag. 11 181 The airiner has time, in all cases (assuming that the air-car is air-worthy) to concert proper measures for his safe descent.
1864 M. Reid Cliff-climbers lii. 342 At length arrived the hour for making that important experiment—as to whether their aërial ship would prove herself air-worthy.
1920 Flight 12 1182/2 Ensuring that machines are maintained in an airworthy condition after the issue of the airworthiness certificate.
1958 J. V. Jensen Waving Rye 13 The pollen capsules of other ears..then spring open too and add their own brood of airworthy embryos to the general mobilization.
1970 Times 24 Mar. 2/4 (caption) The last air-worthy Swordfish torpedo bomber in the Royal Navy.
2001 Today's Pilot Feb. 60/1 We believe that the best way to preserve old gliders is to keep them airworthy and to fly them whenever conditions are suitable.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1829