How is it; that an aircraft like an f-16 can have a lifespan of 30-40 years; but a car only around 5-10 years?

Question

Alot of aircraft that were designed and built throughout the 60s & 70s are still being used by the military. But cars from only the 90s are already beginning to dissapear from the roads. Aren't fighter aircraft more likely to break down more, because they are abused and have millions of more parts?

Answer 1

If cars were treated like aircraft you would only need one in a lifetime. But then you would be spending thousands of dollars a year on maintenance like they do on aircraft. And the motoring public is not prepared to do that. Therefore, your car falls apart in 5-6 years.

I saw a Lincoln Towncar on the news the other day that has a million miles on the odometer. Thing is, with the exception of the body and frame, every component on the car had been repeatedly replaced or rebuilt over its lifetime. The owner could have bought 8-9 new cars for what he had spent on this single vehicle. Are you prepared to do that?

Answer 2

first off,  look at the maintenance applied to the f16. if your car had that same idea applied to it, then it would run for ever. sure the cost of that idea is expensive but it is how you keep the aircraft from falling out of the sky. most drivers do not pay attention to some of the maintenance schedules fro their car so we expect a failure to an extent.  

Answer 3

A new car can cost 10,000$ to 40,000$. A new jet can cost 20 million$ to 50 million$. With that price you better hope they last that long.

Answer 4

A fulltime repair crew and maintenance schedule

Answer 5

Aircraft have fulltime crews of technicans and mecanics that make sure it is in perfect condition before each and every flight. Your car would last forever if you had a full time mechanic to check it out every single day!

Answer 6

Aircraft are taken care of much better than cars. There is also the fact that a car costs a couple thousand dollars and an F-16 costs about 35 million dollars. Much better built.

Answer 7

This is for sure; these aircraft get taken care of better than you take care of yourself....they are pretty much constantly rebuilt over and over again.

Answer 8

Planned obsolesence.

Answer 9

Cost of a fighter: $20 million and up, regularly updated avionics, engines, airframe inspected and updated as needed.

If you maintained your car this way it would last as long.  

Answer 10

1- All the components have to pass rigorous testing-to be approved for use.  

2- Prototypes and initial production aircraft undergo testing and evaluation-any issues go to the manufacturer.  Cars undergo SOME testing-but the public essentially does the testing-hence the recalls etc.

3- Crews are trained on their weapon system, and understand the basics of the major systems.  This is so they can INTELLIGENTLY explain to maintainers issues with the aircraft.  Let's face it, most drivers are frickin' clueless about their cars

4- Aircraft undergo extensive maintenance.

There's four off the top of my head.

Answer 11

You don't inspect your car every time you drive it, replacing worn-out parts and making a note of any that are close to wearing out.

Military planes **do** get that kind of treatment, so they're better cared for and likely to last longer, in spite of being more complicated than a car and seeing harder use.

Answer 12

You car will run forever if you have alot of money and have it on a regimented mainenance schedule.