Preventive vs Corrective Maintenance: Key Differences Explained Aircraft maintenance is broadly classified into preventive and corrective maintenance. Both are crucial for ensuring airworthiness, safety, and operational reliability. Comparison Table: Preventive vs Corrective Maintenance Aspect Preventive Maintenance Corrective Maintenance Purpose Prevent failures before they occur Repair or replace failed components Timing Performed at scheduled intervals (time, flight hours, or cycles) Performed after a fault or malfunction is detected Approach Proactive / planned Reactive / unplanned Examples Replacing filters, lubricating moving parts, scheduled inspections Fixing a faulty hydraulic pump, replacing failed avionics or sensors Objective Maintain continuous airworthiness and reliability Restore airworthiness after failure Impact on Operations Minimal disruption if scheduled properly Can cause flight delays or aircraft downtime Su...