The continued expansion of air transport is bound up with its possibility of producing ever lower fares. Thus the future of both sides of industry depends on the success in this field. This paper notes some of the difficulties seen from the manufacturer's side in this rather inexact science. It is essentially a personal view not associated with any one Company's views, but based on some years of experience in the industry. It answers no questions, but is aimed rather at provoking discussions on some of the important issues, particularly those which tend to be taken for granted.

It should be stated also at the outset that this paper is obviously affected by the current beleaguered state of the British airframe industry. There is nothing in it, however, which does not apply to any nation's airframe industry and it is not intended as criticism of the UK one. It is certainly not the intention to add to the volume of anti-British comment which is so valuable to our competition.