What is required to ensure an aircraft is fit for operational use after maintenance?

To ensure an aircraft is fit for operational use after maintenance, a Functional Check Flight is essential. This type of flight is specifically designed to verify that the aircraft’s systems and components are functioning correctly following maintenance or repairs. During the Functional Check Flight, pilots will perform various maneuvers to test important flight systems, including engines, navigation, and communication equipment, ensuring they operate as intended.

This process is crucial because it provides an opportunity to identify any issues that may have arisen during maintenance before the aircraft is returned to regular service. Conducting this flight ensures that any potential discrepancies can be addressed early on, enhancing overall safety and performance.

While other types of flights such as Inspection Flights and Operational Check Flights may be part of the maintenance and operational processes, they do not specifically focus on the post-maintenance verification of functional systems in the same comprehensive manner as a Functional Check Flight. Safety Assessment Flights, while they may evaluate general safety aspects, are not specifically tailored to assess the functionality of systems post-repair.