SEMINAR: SHM in Civil Aviation: Delta Air Lines, Activities and Perspective

Abstract

There is significant interest in implementing Structural Health Monitoring on civil aircraft. However, in order to reach the full potential of SHM, lots of issues remain as challenges. These include regulatory, technical, procedural and financial. While SHM can be used as ‘alternate inspections’ to conventional NDT, a philosophical change is needed to use SHM as part of a Condition Based Maintenance program. Therefore, SHM will involve progressive step-changes in the future. This presentation will provide a vision of these changes and discuss several industry initiatives, including implementation of applications at Delta Air Lines. Additionally, this presentation will highlight the various aerospace industry standardization activities going on via SAE Committees, IATA and A4A Working Groups.