I feel that the title of this lecture needs clarification, because it would appear from it that aircraft reliability is necessary only in the interests of Flight Safety. Although safety is vital, the operational capability of the aircraft must also be considered because, as in a missile system, operational reliability is of paramount importance. An aircraft may be completely reliable from the Flight Safety aspect without necessarily having a reliable weapons system.

In the past few years, of course, much has been said about the need for reliability. Conventions have been held in this country and in other countries and it might be thought that the lesson has been so often and so well propounded that to discuss it again is hardly necessary. However, I hope to show that we still have some way to go before we even begin to approach the ideal.