GM No 1 to 21.A.708(c) Safe flight

Safe flight normally means continued safe flight and landing but in some limited cases (e.g. higher risk flight testing) it can mean that the aircraft is able to fly in a manner that will primarily ensure the safety of overflown third parties, the flight crew and, if applicable other occupants. This definition of ‘safe flight’ should not be interpreted as allowing a test pilot, equipped with a parachute and operating over a sparsely populated area, to set out on a test flight in the full knowledge that there is a high probability of losing the aircraft. The applicant should take reasonable care to minimise safety risks and to be satisfied that there is a reasonable probability that the aircraft will carry out the flight without damage or injury to the aircraft and its occupants or to other property or persons whether in the air or on the ground.