Every time an aircraft takes off, climbs to altitude, and lands, its pressure vessel expands and contracts. This pressurization cycle causes metal fatigue over time, limiting the safe lifespan of the fuselage. Maintenance schedules dictate that critical components must be inspected or replaced after a strict number of cycles, regardless of how many flight hours the plane has logged.
That airframe is getting retired next month because it hits the cycle limit for the wing box.
Also heard as
- flight cycle
Related terms
High-time
A high-time component or aircraft has accumulated a large number of flight hours or operating cycles.
Fleet leader
The specific aircraft or component in a fleet with the highest number of flight hours or cycles.
Turnaround
The process of servicing and preparing an aircraft between its arrival and its next departure.