Introduction

A large percentage of the work involved in performing inspection and modification of aircraft fuel tanks and their systems is typically carried out with the fuel tank itself. Such tasks require maintenance personnel to physically enter the tank, where significant environmental hazards exist.

Fuel Tank related work is one of the most difficult challenges an aircraft maintenance worker may face. Not only the challenge of physical entry and moving around within the tank, the additional challenge of multiple hazards including health and safety hazards, most notably oxygen deficiency, flammability, explosion and the toxic effects of fuel vapours.