Page 35 - AAA APRIL - MAY 2017 Online Magazine

Mro FeAtUre teCHnoLogY

RISER quadcopter was used in conjunction All these images, especially those
with a T-Series tracking system from Vicon, showing any potential non-quality such as
which assisted in referencing the location scratches, dents and painting defects, are
of the quadcopter relative to the aircraft in compiled in a 3D digital model, recorded
3D. The two-foot wide Remote Intelligent in a database and then analysed. This data
Survey Equipment for Radiation (RISER) helps improve traceability, prevention
quadcopter drone features electro-optical, and reduction of damage. The benefits
light detection and ranging sensors. For of this innovative tool and process are
easyJet, it flew around the aircraft from significant. Aircraft downtime for inspection
approximately three feet away (using lasers is reduced. Data acquisition by drone only
to determine its distance) to locate damage takes 10 to 15 minutes, instead of 2 hours oPPosite PAge: Airbus
caused by lightning strikes. “The use of using conventional methods. “The use of demonstrated aircraft inspec-
these emerging technologies frees up our this new technology offers better working tion by drone at the 2016
Farnborough Airshow. Since
engineering and digital teams and enables conditions including improving the safety data acquisition by drone takes
them to undertake more skilled tasks,” says and comfort for the quality inspectors,” only 10 to 15 minutes, aircraft
Ian Davies, easyJet’s head of engineering. says Nathalie Ducombeau, Airbus head of downtime for inspection is
Blue Bear Operations Director Gavin quality. Operators no longer need to go up reduced, as compared to the
Goudie says that while the average manual on a telescopic handler to perform the visual two hours required when using
conventional methods.
inspection after a lightning strike takes up inspection, sometimes in poor weather
to six hours, Riser can do it in 30 minutes. At conditions. Picture analysis can be done BottoM: The next step
the last Farnborough Airshow, Airbus utilized anytime afterwards and in an office. forward for MRO providers
will be the use of automating
an UAV to perform a visual inspection of an SITA OnAir is also testing UAV-enabled detection of defects from
A350 XWB. The drone was equipped with inspections with Delta Air Lines, Emirates the video images captured
a high-definition camera and took a series Airlines and Geneva Airport. SITA is testing by unmanned vehicles. UAV-
of pictures of the upper part of the aircraft two types of unmanned aircraft. The enabled inspections are already
being tested by SITA OnAir
while following a predetermined flight path. tethered Fotokite is used outside hangars with Delta Air Lines, Emirates
A human operator piloted the UAV. while the untethered eXom Quadcopter is Airlines and Geneva Airport

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