An aircraft's life is not definite. However, conventional wisdom says that, on average, an airplane can remain operable for 30 years. After this time period, they begin to lose their airworthiness and are no longer fit for flying. However, several factors impact the airworthiness and life of an aircraft. Moreover, repairs and maintenance also increase the lifespan of any type of aircraft. Keeping the plane in good condition can also help in its better usage.
On the other hand, some may say that as long as the aircraft is maintained in good condition and good maintenance practices are followed, the airplane can fly for at least a couple of decades or more than 30 years. Therefore, there is no clear-cut answer because the average lifespan of an airplane depends on a myriad of factors. It might be its maintenance, its intrinsic design, and how it was being used.
This blog post helps highlight how long an aircraft can last before it loses its airworthiness.
The Number Of Working Hours
One of the main factors that directly affect the lifespan of an aircraft is the number of cycles or hours it has worked. Many commercial airplanes last around 30 years, but this depends on how they have been flown and how many take-offs and landings they have completed.
This is because knowing the number of pressurisation cycles is necessary, professionals will look at the number of hours flown. If an aircraft has hit its upper limit for such metrics, you might see signs of metal fatigue.
The Environment That The Aircraft Is Parked In
The nature of the environment where the aircraft is parked directly impacts the lifespan of the aircraft. If it is parked in a hangar with a hot and dry atmosphere, there will be less corrosion on its metal parts. That is why we can see that most organisations that deal with aircraft prefer to build their hangars in deserted environments with a lack of moisture and rain. This reduces the moisture level in the air, which helps in reducing the risk of corrosion of the exhaust, fuselage, engine, and other parts of the aircraft.
The Usage Of The Plane
How an aircraft is used will also determine its lifespan. When aircraft are used on long flights, there are fewer pressurisation cycles. As a result it is less exposed to stress than planes that are used in short hauls. This impacts the life cycle of an airplane and causes less corrosion.
The Intrinsic Design
The intrinsic design of an aircraft will also determine its airworthiness. If an aircraft is termed as 'overbuilt', it can function even after 25-30 years. Airbuses manufactured by Airbus and Boeing are some common examples of this design. Their commercial aircraft have been used for decades and are then bought by different airlines.
How Can Maintenance Impact Airworthiness?
Regular aircraft maintenance impacts the airworthiness of an aircraft. Just like humans can have a better and longer life span with a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and good thoughts, aircrafts can also live longer with the help of different maintenance techniques.
This means that to extend the plane’s life, you have to regularly conduct its maintenance and make sure that none of its parts require any type of repair. Replacing certain parts even though there is no visible sign of wear and tear is key to keeping your aircraft in perfect condition and increasing its life span by more than 5 to 10 years.
Therefore, one cannot deny inspections and maintenance because by conducting these frequent inspections and replacing small components, bigger issues can be kept at bay.
About Acorn Welding
Get your aircraft well-maintained with Acorn Welding. We are committed to complete customer satisfaction by being a reliable source of parts of unsurpassed quality, workmanship, and airworthiness. Acorn Welding continues to expand its support of customer needs adhering to the highest standards of excellence and service. Each team member has over 20 years of experience in Aerospace manufacturing. As technology progresses, the experience of our product design team is preserved and passed on to new members. Contact us for more information.
