test flight

noun

1. a flight made to observe the performance characteristics of a new aircraft or spacecraft.

Word History and Origins

Origin of test flight¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

In a specially approved test flight last year, Virgin Atlantic flew a Boeing 787 from London to New York using fuel exclusively produced from waste fats and plant sugars.

From BBC

SpaceX pulled off its boldest test flight yet of the enormous Starship rocket on Sunday, catching the returning booster back at the launch pad with mechanical arms.

From Los Angeles Times

The SpaceX vehicle's lower half manoeuvred back beside its launch tower where it was caught in a giant pair of mechanical arms, as part of its first test flight.

From BBC

But that won't happen on the upcoming test flight.

From BBC

The vehicle has grown about a metre since its second test flight in June of this year, with Starship now measuring just over 120m in total.

From BBC

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