Aircraft Structural Maintenance

U.S. Air Force TSgt Richard Bazen, Aircraft Structural Maintenance

U.S. Air Force: Aircraft Maintenance

U.S. Air Force: Tactical Aircraft Maintenance

Aircraft maintenance is not like car maintenance, it's a continuous process of checks, tests and procedures, based on flight hours and cycles (take-offs and landings) A short haul airliner like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 has many cycles. These aircraft are using their undercarriage, brakes, tyres and other systems like thrust reversers, spoilers flaps/slats more often. Long haul aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 may only make 1 or 2 "cycles" in a 24 hour period, but spend many hours