Behold, the flight cycle  

A flight cycle in aviation refers to the sequence of events an aircraft undergoes from one takeoff to the next landing, including all phases of flight and ground operations. It's essentially one complete round trip, and it's a key metric for aircraft maintenance and lifespan considerations. [1, 2, 3, 4]  

• Pre-flight preparation: This involves planning the flight, checking weather conditions, and preparing the aircraft. 
• Taxiing to the runway: The aircraft moves from its parking position to the takeoff runway. 
• Takeoff: The aircraft accelerates and becomes airborne. 
• Climb: The aircraft gains altitude. 
• Cruise: The aircraft flies at a stable altitude and speed. 
• Descent: The aircraft lowers its altitude in preparation for landing. 
• Approach: The aircraft maneuvers into the landing pattern. 
• Landing: The aircraft touches down on the runway. 
• Taxiing to the gate: The aircraft moves from the landing runway to its parking position. 
• Post-flight procedures: This includes passenger disembarkation, cargo unloading, and maintenance checks. [1, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16]  

• Aircraft maintenance: Flight cycles are a primary factor in determining when an aircraft needs major maintenance or even retirement. [4, 4]  
• Engine lifespan: Jet engines are also evaluated based on the number of cycles they have completed, as each cycle represents significant wear and tear, according to an Aviation Stack Exchange post. [2, 2, 17, 17]  
• Safety: Understanding the flight cycle is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft operations. [3, 3]  
• Operational efficiency: Tracking flight cycles helps airlines optimize maintenance schedules and aircraft utilization, says A-ICE. [3, 3, 18, 19]