What action must a pilot take during the flight if they determine their aircraft is not airworthy?

When a pilot determines that their aircraft is not airworthy, the appropriate action is to abort the flight and address the issue. This is critical for ensuring safety, as flying an aircraft that is not airworthy poses significant risks to the pilot, passengers, and others on the ground.

The airworthiness of an aircraft encompasses various system checks, compliance with maintenance requirements, and the overall operational condition of the aircraft. If any discrepancies or issues are identified—such as engine problems, malfunctioning instruments, or structural damage—the pilot must not proceed with the flight. Instead, they should land the aircraft safely and resolve any identified issues before taking off again.

Continuing the flight would compromise safety, as the aircraft could experience further problems, and requesting a weather briefing or logging the issue for future reference would not address the immediate concern of potential danger during flight. Therefore, taking the responsible course of action to abort the flight and ensure the aircraft is airworthy is vital for aviation safety.