Every aircraft would have a persistent maintenance status that carries over between flights, making each landing and every decision have long-term consequences.
Concept UI: An example of how a compact aircraft condition panel could appear when an aircraft is selected. This is only intended to illustrate the idea—the final design would be up to the Infinite Flight team.
Rather than every aircraft being restored to perfect condition after each flight, components would gradually wear based on how the aircraft is operated.
Why this fits Infinite Flight Live
Infinite Flight Live introduces a persistent world where every aircraft has a location, history, and purpose instead of simply spawning for a single flight. A persistent aircraft health and maintenance system would naturally build on this foundation by giving each aircraft not only a history of where it has flown, but also a history of how it has been operated. Every smooth landing, hard landing, long-haul flight, or tail strike would become part of that aircraft’s story, making pilots feel even more connected to the aircraft they fly. Rather than existing as a standalone feature, this system could become a natural extension of Infinite Flight Live’s vision of persistence.
What affects aircraft condition?
- Hard landings gradually wear the landing gear.
- Heavy braking increases brake wear.
- Tire wear accumulates over multiple takeoffs and landings.
- Long flights slowly reduce engine health.
- Overspeeding the flaps or landing gear causes damage.
- Tail strikes require maintenance before the aircraft can return to service.
Effects of wear
The aircraft would remain flyable in most situations, but neglected maintenance could result in:
- Reduced dispatch reliability.
- Slightly longer stopping distances due to brake wear.
- Small increases in fuel burn caused by engine wear.
- More frequent maintenance requirements over time.
The goal isn’t to punish players, but to reward good aircraft handling and realistic operation.
Maintenance
Players could choose between:
- Instant Maintenance – Repairs are completed immediately for players who simply want to continue flying.
- Timed Maintenance – Repairs take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the severity of the wear, providing additional realism for those who want it.
Why this feature?
This system would:
- Add meaningful long-term realism.
- Reward smooth landings and proper aircraft handling.
- Give every flight lasting consequences.
- Fit naturally with Infinite Flight’s move toward a more persistent world.
- Add operational depth without making the simulator frustrating for casual players.
With Infinite Flight continuing to evolve toward a more persistent and immersive simulator, I believe this feature would be a natural next step. Thank you for your consideration! 