Dealing With the Aging Fleet

Economic and market conditions have resulted in the use of commercial jet airplanes beyond their original economic design life objectives. The average age of the world airline jet transport fleet has increased from 8 to 12 years since 1980. Standard Boeing practices to support continuing airplane structural integrity include inspection and overhaul recommendations contained in maintenance manuals and service bulletins. As airplanes exceed their economic design life objectives, the incidence of fatigue increases and corrosion may become more widespread. This presentation is focused on recent special activities to assess the condition of the aging airplane fleet and other joint Boeing, airline and airworthiness authority reviews of service bulletins, corrosion control programs, basic maintenance and supplemental structural inspection programs, and structural repair quality. These initiatives wilt provide timely preventive maintenance recommendations that will support continued safe operation of aging jet transports until their retirement from service.