COMPOSITE INSPECTOR TRAINING COURSE TO ENHANCE PROFICIENCY AND IMPROVE RELIABILITY
AIR7491
Increased use of advanced composite structural materials on aircraft has resulted in the need to address the more demanding quality and non-destructive testing procedures.
Accordingly, increased utilization of solid laminate composites is driving changes to airline NDT training requirements and greater emphasis on the application of accurate NDT methods.
Modules, including an introduction to composite materials, composite NDI theory and practice, special cases and lessons learned, have been produced in addition to various hands-on NDT exercises. A set of proficiency specimens containing realistic composite structures and representative damage has been designed in order to reinforce teaching points of the course and “test” inspector’s proficiency. Extensive details of the course modules, hand-on exercises and the proficiency specimens are all presented in this report.
Rationale: This SAE Aerospace Information Report is intended to provide comprehensive reference and background information pertaining to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Composite Inspector Training Course. The NDT training course is composed of a classroom lecture portion and a set of hands-on student exercises meant to teach and reinforce best practices for inspecting composite laminate structures. The information provided in each chapter in this report is intended to provide background to aid the actual classroom lectures and student exercises.