A number of the larger airlines have taken the decision to introduce electronic load control systems and there are already available some very useful papers on this subject. However, these papers are largely descriptive and do not set out to compare this type of system with alternative methods of manually achieving the same objectives. Furthermore, they are written in the context of having made the decision to go electronic.

It is felt that there must be a number of smaller airlines who, like AE$ Lingus, are now faced with the decision to continue with manual load control or to invest in a computer. It is principally towards these airlines that this paper is directed although I hope it will be of general interest to all.

Unfortunately, our investigations are not yet complete. Consequently, the conclusions of this paper are, of necessity, general. However, it is hoped that it may serve as a basis from which further more detailed investigation can be carried out.