Like any other mechanical device, an aircraft also has a predetermined life expectancy. Thus, as much as you hate to hear it, the truth remains that your cherished airplane will have to retire sooner or later. However, this pre-established lifespan is not something irrevocable. Besides the make, model, and manufacturer, a number of secondary factors also affect a light aircraft’s longevity. Hence, it will not be wrong to say that an aircraft’s lifespan can be shortened or lengthened by the amount of attention you pay to these factors.
On average, it is widely accepted that a small aircraft lasts for anywhere between twenty-five to thirty years. However, these numbers can dramatically change depending on how you treat your aircraft. This takes us to the discussion on exactly how a plane’s lifespan is measured. To be honest, it is not very accurate to measure an aircraft’s lifespan using the number of years. Contrary to what might have immediately popped into your mind after reading the previous sentence, the number of flight hours is also not the right measurement unit.
As Canada’s top-rated aviation welding technicians, let us help you decipher this enigma. In reality, an aircraft’s lifespan, regardless of whether it is a light or a commercial one, depends upon the number of pressurization cycles it undergoes. In contrast to popular belief, chronologically aged aircraft are not necessarily unsafe if they are cared for properly. Instead, an interplay between the length of each flight and the pressure an aircraft undergoes, as a result, is actually the most significant determinant of an aircraft’s lifespan.
This blog post will explore the pressurization cycle in detail and also look at the other factors that determine an average light aircraft’s lifespan.
The Pressurization Cycle And Flight Frequency
Unlike an automobile, whose life expectancy can be measured by the number of miles on the odometer, a plane’s life depends upon the pressure it undergoes. A pressurization cycle is the repeated pressure an aircraft is put through during each takeoff and landing. This pressure often results in wear and tear of important components like wings, fuselage, gaskets, fasteners, landing gear, hoses, and engine parts.
Clearly, the more time these components spend under pressure, the faster they will deteriorate. This is why we emphasized earlier that an interplay between flight length and pressurization cycles impacts an aircraft’s lifespan. Despite being smaller in size, lighter aircraft do not last as long as commercial passenger-carrying aircraft because the former usually embarks on shorter, more frequent journeys.
As a result, even though light aircraft travel fewer flight hours, they retire early because their parts have a larger number of pressurization cycles given the frequent short flights. In short, instead of longer flight hours, frequent take-offs and landings are what deteriorate a plane faster.
Read Also: Things That Happen Before Your Plane Can Take Off
Aircraft Maintenance And Care
Every being, mechanical or biological, needs care and maintenance, and so does your aircraft. Just like a healthier lifestyle and proper medication somewhat helps keep illnesses away from you, adequate maintenance has a similar impact on aircraft.
Read Also: The Significance Of Aircraft Maintenance
However, maintenance does not simply involve regular inspection and deep cleaning by an aviation technician. In fact, it involves many things an aircraft owner must pay attention to, starting from basic cleaning efforts to the environment in which an aircraft is placed.
For instance, inadequate cleaning will lead to a build-up of dirt, debris, and other corrosion-causing elements that ultimately weaken an aircraft’s structural integrity, thereby diminishing its lifespan.
Repair Quality
Prompt repairs are another essential determinant of an aircraft’s longevity. Simply put, if you fix a problem in its initial stages before it morphs into a bigger tribulation, the aircraft will remain in good condition for longer. Contrarily, if you ignore repairs or unnecessarily postpone them, one issue will pave the way for another and the chain will ultimately adversely impact an aircraft's life expectancy.
Part Replacements
Even though an aircraft is conventionally thought to last for a few decades, its components do not enjoy this privilege. The latter results from the fact that some parts are more susceptible to damage than others. For example, components that undergo frequent friction like landing gears and rivets will deteriorate faster and require replacement.
Similarly, aircraft exhausts, plane batteries, fuel tanks, engine mounts, and other components that have seen better days and reached the end of their useful life need a timely replacement. These replacements dramatically extend an aircraft's lifespan and improve its efficiency.
About Acorn Welding
Driven by innovation and technology, we are a team of trusted aviation welding technicians and aircraft experts. From component replacements to regular inspection and repairs, we offer a range of exquisite aviation services. We also deal in vintage aircraft worldwide and are on our way to becoming the leading aviation experts. Learn more about Acorn Welding and our unique offerings.
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