Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 12

COVER STORY

s an aircraft maintainer, one's
attention is generally focused
on the work at hand or the work
planned for the next day or week
ahead. As a young A&P, I gave
little, perhaps no thought to
aircraft maintenance in other
parts of the state, country or
world. I was busy working and
learning the trade, staying on
task and happy being immersed in aviation
in my little corner of the world. On occasion, an aircraft registered in nearby Canada
would pass through, or I'd read of aircraft
from other countries, but never gave much
thought to aviation on an international scale.
Years later as an airline mechanic, I became exposed
to aircraft flying and being maintained around the
world. Certain parts and components would be sent
to specialized repair facilities for maintenance, repair
and overhaul (MRO) for a variety of reasons. And,
these specialized companies were not always in my
home country.
As time flew by, my role would change and I became
exposed to more of the business aspects of maintenance. It soon became apparent that just like flying,
maintenance in our industry was also a very global
activity. If aircraft were flying to international locations, they would need some level of maintenance performed at these destinations. Just as foreign registered
aircraft flying into the United States would require
some level of maintenance while being prepared for
their flight back to their home country.
Eventually, my airline career would take me to
countless other airline maintenance facilities, manufacturers and specialized component, engine and

airframe repair facilities in the U.S. and around the
world. While traveling, I'd always try to carve out some
time to visit a small general aviation airport as well in
an effort to learn about small aircraft maintenance.
In my role as chief editor of this publication, I
continued to visit and report on maintenance activity from aviation events and maintenance facilities
around the world. For an aviation geek, the ability to
not only observe, but to participate in the similarities
and differences of aircraft maintenance has been a
priceless experience - and a lot of fun.

The Global Maintenance Build-Up
The increasing air-travel forecast for the next couple
decades has been widely publicized - it's huge. Last
year, I wrote a series of articles on maintenance in
other parts of the world, where I provided inputs from
a variety of operators and maintainers. As the forecast
for new aircraft deliveries and increase in air-travel
from emerging areas of the world continues at a rapid
pace, so will global aircraft maintenance activity in
these same regions. It's an easy correlation.
But first, let's take a look at a few industry forecasts,
in particular, the demand for new aircraft. Figure 1.
The Airbus Global Market Forecast 2019-2038 states
a demand for more than 39,000 passenger and freight
aircraft over the next 20 years. Thirty six percent are
for aircraft replacement and 64 percent will be for
growth. Asia-Pacific will account for 42 percent of the
deliveries, and airlines in North America and Europe
together will account for 36 percent
The Boeing 20 Year Commercial Market Outlook
forecasts similar results with a demand for a total of
44,040 aircraft.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
(GAMA) in their 2019 Annual Report states 2,658

Figure 1.

Commercial Airliners
AIRBUS GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST 2019-2038
Africa

Asia-Pacific Commonwealth
Of Independent
States

Europe

Latin
America

Middle
East

North
America

TOTAL

1,269

16,543

7,539

2,696

3,245

6,378

39,213

Latin
America

Middle
East

North
America

TOTAL

1,543

BOEING 20 YEAR COMMERCIAL MARKET OUTLOOK
Africa
1,160
12

Asia-Pacific Russia & Central
Asia
17,390

MARCH 2020

1,280

Europe
8,990

2,960

3,130

9,130

44,040

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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