What does the term “airworthiness” refer to?

The term "airworthiness" refers to the safety and operational status of an aircraft, meaning that the aircraft is fit to fly and complies with safety standards established by aviation authorities. Airworthiness ensures that the aircraft meets required regulations and performs reliably under its intended operating conditions. It includes assessments of the aircraft's structure, systems, and components to confirm they function correctly and are free of defects. This concept is critical as it directly relates to the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft, making it a foundational principle in aviation regulations and operations.

Other factors, such as design aesthetics, noise levels, or weight capacity, play roles in aircraft evaluation but do not pertain directly to the concept of airworthiness, which focuses solely on the capability of the aircraft to operate safely in flight.