Which of the following is another advantage of fly-by-wire systems?

• A. More weight
• B. Less maintenance
• C. Higher cost
• D. Greater complexity

Answer: (B)

Fly-by-wire replaces many mechanical and hydraulic linkages with electronic control signals and actuators. Because there are fewer moving parts that wear or require routine adjustment, the system generally needs less ongoing maintenance. Modern fly-by-wire designs also include built-in health monitoring and fault-detection, so issues can be identified and isolated quickly without extensive teardown. While the system adds electronics and software complexity, the practical effect is typically lower maintenance costs and downtime compared to traditional mechanical/hydraulic controls. The other options describe trade-offs that aren’t the typical maintenance advantage—weight, cost, and complexity are not the benefit highlighted here.