Maintenance Tomorrow and the Day After: A lecture presented at AIRMEC 81 Available to Purchase

The future of the current family of wide‐bodied transports is examined in the environment of the changing world‐wide fuel supply situation. Synthetic hydrocarbon and cryogenic fuels are considered in the context of impact on airline fleets and their maintenance. The probability of the emergence of new technology aircraft, still utilising hydrocarbon fuel is considered in view of the possible shortening of their useful life by the introduction of cryogenic fuels. Possible effects on maintenance of the new technologies which would be included in such aircraft are discussed. Finally, the characteristics of the two most promising cryogenic fuels are compared and the effects of one of these fuels on fuel system design, maintenance, and service as well as facilities and equipment are reviewed.