What is meant by “lifing” an aircraft part?

Lifing an aircraft part refers to the process of determining its service life and assessing when it should be replaced. This involves evaluating the operational history and performance characteristics of the part, including factors such as usage rates, stress levels, and environmental conditions that might affect its longevity. By establishing a lifing schedule, maintenance crews can ensure that parts are replaced before they fail, which is critical for maintaining aircraft safety and reliability.

Establishing when a part should be replaced helps prevent unexpected failures during operations, thus enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft and its crew. This assessment is rooted in both engineering analysis and empirical data, focusing on extending the life of the aircraft while ensuring the highest standards of performance and safety are met.