Abstract
Recently, composite materials have been introduced to commercial aircraft primary structures for the purpose of increased weight savings, reduction in corrosion, enhanced fatigue life and improved performance. However, repairing these primary structures can be very challenging to operators. A brief description is given about repairing aircraft non-primary composite structures. More importantly, however, this paper discusses the current research carried out by major aerospace companies and their academic partners to develop reliable methods, tools and equipment for repairing aircraft primary composite structures. These new technologies aim to give the use of composite materials on "next-generation" commercial aircraft primary structures a more prominent advantage by addressing the issue of recurring costs due to maintenance.