BORESCOPE FOR AIRCRAFT CORROSION DETECTION AND TREATMENT

     As aircraft inventories continue to age, a more progressive approach to corrosion control is required.  In traditional maintenance environments, corrosion repairs are routinely categorized as “opportunistic” maintenance, receiving primary focus during major overhauls.  In many cases, repairs are deferred since initially detected corrosion may be minor but inaccessible to evaluate and repair without time consuming disassembly.  Inability to gain access makes assessment difficult, increasing the likelihood that a major corrosion defect can be overlooked.  The response to these shortfalls is the development a multi-faceted solution to non-invasive corrosion detection—analysis-guided remote videoscopic inspection and corrosion treatment.

     Maintenance data analysis is often overlooked as an effective technique for identifying corrosion.  History shows that many corrosion related failures stem from water intrusion and/or deteriorated structural repairs.  Water intrusion initiates through breaks in the aircraft paint and deteriorated seals on panels, skins, windows, and doors.  Water trapped between faying metal surfaces sets up classic galvanic corrosion potential.  Failed or poorly sealed repair members and fasteners are just two scenarios which contribute to the problem.  An analysis of historical maintenance data can identify these repaired zones and recurring problematic corrosion.  This initial analysis process is fundamentally essential to an effective non-invasive corrosion identification approach.

      These revolutionary enhancements to the conventional visual inspection by employing remote non-invasive videoscopic processes exploit the synergistic effects of combining analysis-driven defect mapping, high-resolution videoscopic inspection/capture equipment, and highly experienced aircraft structural engineering technician operators.  Pre-identified videoscopic inspection zones are accessed without the need to remove panels, skins, or other components.  Trapped water and foreign objects are frequently found in these areas which promote corrosion.  This new multi-faceted approach to aircraft non-invasive structural analysis and remote videoscopic inspection system for corrosion control and treatment has great potential to contribute to fleet sustainment, increasing aircraft availability to the warfighter.