Meeting of Traditional and Modern Test Technologies in Priority Aeria of Aircraft Maintenance

Abstract

Since mid-1990s until these days, by applying fourth generation fighters in the Hungarian Defence Forces, modern operating and maintenance environment and systems have also been introduced demanding the fundamental need for appropriate Non Destructive Testing methods. End-users demand higher and more specific standards against NDT methods for more functions such as the ability to record and visualize the geometrical, and dimensional location and the size of possible surface flaws. Mobility is a crucial factor for the use of NDT in Military environment. That is, tests could be performed in field conditions as well. This publication is aimed to provide an overview of how a certain eddy current test probe using high-resolution magnetic sensors can be applied for military aircraft maintenance. Using this test probe enables specialists to gain information on the actual extent and dimensions of the flaws in the material. The practical value of this kind of testing applies when it comes to tell the difference between a flaw - at a critical place or in a critical size - that badly affects the entire structure and one that is irrelevant to security measures.