If an alteration or repair substantially affects an aircraft's operation in flight, what must be done before the aircraft is operated?

• A. Test Flown by an Appropriately Rated Pilot and Approved for Return to Service
• B. A Simple Maintenance Entry
• C. Ground Tests Only
• D. A Full Structural Teardown

Answer: (A)

When a repair or alteration could change how the glider behaves in the air, it must be tested in flight by someone who holds the proper glider rating, and the aircraft must be approved for return to service after that test. This flight test validates that the modification works as intended and does not introduce new handling or safety concerns, ensuring the aircraft is safe to fly again.

A simple maintenance entry wouldn’t verify flight characteristics, and ground tests alone can miss issues that only appear in actual flight. A full structural teardown is far more invasive and not the standard step for most alterations that affect flight operation. The required process — a test flight by a properly rated pilot with return-to-service approval — confirms both performance and safety before further operation.