Abstract Full-scale structural testing is a critical component of the development, certification, and qualification of aerospace composite structures, providing the most realistic assessment of a structure's in-service performance by evaluating the interrelationships of its critical elements under simulated loading conditions. This article describes the three primary types of full-scale tests — static, durability (fatigue), and damage tolerance — with emphasis on the unique characteristics of composite materials, including their brittle nature, sensitivity to stress concentrations, and susceptibility to environmental effects such as moisture absorption and temperature variation. Key topics include critical test condition selection, load application methods, instrumentation requirements, test sequencing, and the building-block approach used to address environmental factors across multiple levels of structural analysis and testing. Regulatory requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Defense are discussed in the context of ultimate load requirements and damage tolerance evaluation. The article also briefly addresses full-scale testing applications beyond aircraft, including launch vehicles, spacecraft, pressure vessels, automotive structures, and rotor blades, noting that the extent of testing in each domain is governed by the applicable certification and product safety requirements.