By David Dundas As with most groundbreaking new technologies, it took a while before 3-D printing became mainstream and even longer for it to be adopted by the aerospace industry. It was way back in 1984 that Chuck Hall developed Stereolithography (SLA), a specific technique which involved curing photosensitive resin with UV light to build
An Insight Into Maintenance Management of Aged Aircraft Engines By David Dundas As technology changes and new materials are being used in the construction of aircraft engines, so these engines have a longer lifecycle and this, in turn, requires adapted maintenance management programmes. More recently, the considerable delays and backlogs relating to the delivery of
The Evolution of Aircraft Component Maintenance By David Dundas Ever since the first days of powered fight, aircraft component maintenance has changed almost beyond recognition. From rudimentary inspections in early aviation to today’s sophisticated predictive maintenance systems, the evolution reflects advancements in materials, technology, safety standards, and operational efficiency. Here we want to trace the
How Aircraft Maintenance Delays Impact Airline Operations and Passenger Experience By David Dundas Aircraft maintenance is a crucial aspect of aviation safety, ensuring that every flight meets stringent operational and regulatory standards. However, when maintenance schedules are delayed, the effects ripple across airline operations and passenger experience, leading to financial, logistical, and reputational challenges. Operational
Ongoing Question By David Dundas The people entrusted with this responsibility, aircraft mechanics, play a pivotal role in ensuring every flight meets strict operational standards. As the aviation industry evolves, the debate between specialisation and multi-skilled mechanics has become increasingly relevant. Each approach offers unique benefits and challenges, impacting efficiency, cost, training, and safety. The
By David Dundas One of the greatest challenges facing any MRO operator is inventory management. In terms of size and scale, few maintenance sectors of any business will ever have the need to maintain an inventory with so many parts and, more to the point, so many expensive parts. In the aerospace industry where commercial
repair or replace? By David Dundas For MROs, there is the constant challenge of whether a part can be repaired, or if it needs to be replaced either with a brand-new part or USM. The dilemma becomes increasingly more challenging when it comes to the critical area of aircraft engines which are subject to forces
Talking to Rob Suhs, Vice President of Global Sales at Inventory Locator Service (ILS) By Peter Jorssen How can data analytics improve operational efficiency in the aviation industry? Operational efficiency in the aviation industry can vary significantly depending on one’s role within the sector. For instance, what constitutes operational efficiency for an airline might differ
By David Dundas It is remarkable to think that drones have been with us since the days of the Vietnam war, yet it was only at the turn of the millennium that their potential for more than military use began to be explored further. By 2005 the commercial potential for drones had been recognised and
During their lifecycle, aircraft are subjected to numerous physical stresses, from weathering hailstorms and bird strikes to ground handling incidents. The consequences are that an aircraft fuselage can suffer from dents, buckles and minor structural damage. In general terms these minor structural defects do not affect the structural integrity of the aircraft, however precise documentation
