How can maintenance thresholds be expressed?

Maintenance thresholds are critical limits that help in determining when maintenance activities should be performed on an aircraft or its components. These thresholds are often expressed in terms of metrics that directly reflect the usage and operational status of the aircraft.

Flight hours and flight cycles are particularly relevant because they provide objective measurements of an aircraft's utilization. Flight hours indicate the total time an aircraft has been in the air, which is essential for understanding wear and degradation of components due to prolonged use. On the other hand, flight cycles represent the number of takeoffs and landings an aircraft undergoes, which can have a different impact on certain components, especially landing gear and other structural parts.

By using flight hours and flight cycles as maintenance thresholds, maintenance teams can effectively plan service intervals, ensuring that the aircraft operates safely and efficiently without unnecessary downtime or excessive maintenance costs. This method promotes a proactive maintenance approach, aimed at maintaining aircraft reliability and safety while optimizing operational efficiency.