Abstract: According to Chinese military specification a suitable fatigue life scatter factor must be used in determining aircraft safe life from fatigue test life. The relationship between the reliability and the life distribution scatter factor has been discussed. The difference between the life distribution scatter factor and the specification life scatter factor has been pointed out. The concept of spectrum variation factor has been emphasized. It is argued that the specification fatigue life scatter factor should be the product of the life distribution scatter factor and the spectrum variation factor. Determination of structure safe life from fatigue test results of used structures has also been considered. Two points are of significance: when converting used time to fatigue test life the time should be reduced instead of being increased, different specification fatigue life scatter factors should be chosen for service time and test time.

Key words: fatigue test, fatigue life, fatigue life scatter factor, reliability