Airworthy, Serviceability, Calibration

Airworthy

An aircraft that is Airworthy is one that is built to the rules and standards and meets all current maintenance requirements and bulletins. When safety issues become known about a certain aircraft, the manufacturer or importer issue service bulletins (SB) and airworthiness directives (AD). Aircraft owners and operators must comply with these to maintain an aircraft’s airworthiness.

Serviceability

A part of an aircraft is said to be serviceable if it is functioning correctly and has been maintained in accordance with maintenance guidelines, all SB and AD. Eg: A radio that has met all SB or AD and is working correctly would be called serviceable.

Some components require simple inspections and checks to test for serviceability, others require testing with strict procedures and the use of precise and accurate equipment.

Calibration

To ensure some components of our aircraft are accurate they need to be or are required to be calibrated. Calibration is the process of testing something is accurate, using approved methods and approved and accurate equipment.

Most RAA aircraft components are not required to be calibrated to the same level as GA aircraft, however they are required to be serviceable and accurate.