I was a whistleblower who exposed fraudulent activities at Ultrasonic Research and Testing Laboratory in Dallas, Texas, back in 1991. The reaction of some people in the nondestructive testing (NDT) community surprised me since the industry is a close-knit group with many connections between individuals.

In production, every aircraft structure component will undergo inspection by one of the primary NDT methods. In-service aircraft will experience subsequent nondestructive testing, eddy current inspection being one the primary methods. This article serves to highlight the more common forms of eddy current applications on in-service aircraft.

Two-dimensional and 3D X-ray technologies are among the most useful nondestructive testing methods. They enable the inspection of an object’s internal features without having to disassemble the sample or destroy the part in the process. 

Finding new talent can be an extremely difficult process for any organization, in any industry.

Over the last 10 to 15 years, NDT methods have grown smarter and smarter. New methods have been developed and old methods have been improved. Some of today’s NDT is leaps and bounds ahead of where it used to be. 

It is true that magnetic particle testing (MT) is one of the oldest NDT methods, and over the years has proven itself to be not only reliable, but cost effective, when it is applied properly with qualified personnel. 

Olympus now distributes Creaform’s Pipecheck Analyze software.

Kirby has a background in NDT. He founded his own business, NDT Solutions, and built it into a leader in advanced ultrasonic testing equipment, with clients including Airbus, Boeing, Ford and Volvo, before selling it in 2005.

MTC is a Nadcap accredited special processor, providing a complete range of NDT testing services and related chemical processing, primarily servicing the aerospace industry, with a unique niche service focused on titanium critical rotating parts.

After consulting with numerous NDT experts and inspectors, Magnaflux is expanding their line of LED UV lamps for non-destructive testing with the ST700 overhead inspection LED UV light, which is specifically designed to eliminate or prevent some of the most common challenges around UV illumination in fluorescent NDT testing.