Aviation NDT Solutions

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Aircraft safety depends on the quality and reliability of every component, from manufacturing through maintenance and repair. Nondestructive testing (NDT) enables aerospace professionals to detect cracks, corrosion, delamination, and other hidden defects without damaging critical parts.

Evident provides aerospace NDT solutions that support inspection teams throughout the aircraft lifecycle. From aerospace part inspections during production to routine maintenance and MRO operations, our inspection technologies, software, and support services help teams make improve efficiency and keep aircraft operating safely.

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Watch How JetBlue Uses Evident Inspection Tools

Inspection Tools Built for What You Can’t Afford to Miss

In the aerospace industry, there is no margin for error. Every aircraft component—from composite wing structures and fuselage panels to engine components and fastener holes—must withstand demanding operating conditions while meeting strict regulatory and quality requirements. Even the smallest defect can affect performance, reliability, and safety if left undetected.

NDT allows aerospace manufacturers and maintenance teams to inspect critical components without causing damage, enabling defects to be identified before they become costly repairs or safety risks. Regular aerospace NDT inspections support quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and informed maintenance decisions throughout an aircraft’s service life.

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Why Aviation NDT is Important

Modern aircraft incorporate advanced materials, increasingly complex designs, and rigorous quality standards that make aerospace inspections more demanding than ever. Inspection teams must identify extremely small defects while minimizing aircraft downtime and maintaining complete documentation for regulatory compliance.

Common challenges include:

  • Detecting small cracks, corrosion, and material defects before they impact performance.
  • Inspecting complex components and hard-to-reach areas, such as engines and turbines.
  • Evaluating composite structures for delamination and damage.
  • Maintaining consistent inspection processes across facilities.
  • Managing inspection data and documentation for traceability and compliance.

Despite these challenges, reliable NDT remains essential across aerospace manufacturing and maintenance. With the right inspection technologies, organizations can improve inspection accuracy and reliability, ensuring confidence in every decision.

Evident Aviation NDT Solutions

Our comprehensive portfolio of aerospace NDT solutions is designed to support aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and quality assurance. From detecting hidden defects to verifying materials and managing inspection data, our technologies help aerospace professionals make confident decisions throughout the aircraft lifecycle.

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Phased Array & Ultrasonic Flaw Detection

Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) and conventional ultrasonic testing use high-frequency sound waves to detect internal defects that cannot be identified through visual inspection. These methods provide detailed imaging of materials and are widely used to evaluate critical aerospace components, including composites, bonded structures, welds, and metal parts.

Our phased array and ultrasonic flaw detectors best suited to aerospace applications include the OmniScan™ X4 Phased Array Flaw Detector, 39DL PLUS™ Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge, and 72DL PLUS™ Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge.

Used for:

  • Inspecting composite aerospace structures for delamination, voids, and impact damage
  • Evaluating bonded components and structural assemblies
  • Detecting internal cracks, inclusions, and defects in metal components
  • Inspecting welds, forgings, and other critical aircraft parts

Benefits:

  • High-resolution imaging of internal defects
  • Accurate defect sizing and characterization
  • Reliable inspection of complex materials and structures
  • Increased inspection coverage and efficiency
  • Greater confidence in inspection results

Eddy Current Flaw Detection

Eddy current testing is a widely used aerospace NDT method for detecting surface and near-surface defects in conductive materials. By identifying changes in electrical conductivity and material properties, eddy current inspection helps locate cracks, corrosion, and other discontinuities in critical aircraft components.

Our eddy current flaw detectors best suited to aerospace applications include the NORTEC™ 700 Eddy Current Flaw Detector.

Used for:

  • Inspecting fastener holes for fatigue cracks
  • Detecting surface cracks in fuselage skins and aircraft structures
  • Identifying corrosion and material degradation
  • Inspecting engine components and other conductive materials

Benefits:

  • Detects small surface and near-surface defects
  • Requires minimal surface preparation
  • Supports fast, efficient inspections
  • Helps reduce unnecessary component removal
  • Portable solutions for field, hangar, and in-service inspections

Learn More About Eddy Current Flaw Detection

Remote Visual Inspection

Remote visual inspection (RVI) allows aerospace professionals to examine difficult-to-access internal components without disassembly. Using advanced videoscopes, inspectors can capture detailed images and videos to evaluate aircraft engines, turbines, and other critical systems.

Our video borescopes best suited to aerospace applications include the IPLEX™ One Videoscope Solution and IPLEX™ GX / G Lite Videoscopes.

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Used for:

  • Inspecting aircraft engines and turbine components
  • Identifying foreign object damage (FOD), wear, corrosion, and cracking
  • Evaluating internal areas that are difficult to access
  • Supporting scheduled maintenance and troubleshooting inspections

Benefits:

  • Inspect components without costly disassembly
  • Reduce aircraft downtime and maintenance costs
  • Capture inspection images and videos for documentation
  • Improve inspection speed and efficiency
  • Support faster maintenance decisions

Learn More About Remote Visual Inspection

Analytical Instrumentation

Material verification is essential in aerospace manufacturing, where incorrect material composition can impact component performance and safety. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers enable rapid material identification and alloy verification to confirm aerospace materials meet required specifications.

Our XRF analyzers best suited to aerospace applications include the Vanta™ Handheld XRF Analyzer.

Used for:

  • Positive material identification (PMI)
  • Verifying alloy composition of aerospace materials
  • Inspecting incoming materials before production
  • Supporting quality control and manufacturing processes

Benefits:

  • Fast and accurate material verification
  • Helps prevent costly material mix-ups
  • Supports aerospace quality assurance requirements
  • Enables confident material identification in the field and production environments
  • Improves inspection efficiency during manufacturing

Learn More About Analytical Instrumentation

Evident Connect - A digital platform that works for you

Digital Solutions
That Connect Data with Decisions

From aerospace-specific software that turns raw inspection data into clear, actionable findings, to cloud-connected platforms that keep teams aligned and reports audit-ready, to real-time project and fleet management, our digital ecosystem is designed around aviation's pace, precision, and compliance demands. And with intuitive, effortless

interfaces and seamless continuity across devices, Evident empowers you to complete inspection tasks faster and with fewer clicks.

Our digital ecosystem includes:

Service And Support
Designed Around the Way You Work

When inspection decisions impact aircraft safety and reliability, you need more than advanced technology, you need a trusted partner with the expertise and support to help you act with confidence. Evident combines aerospace NDT solutions, industry knowledge, and global service capabilities to support inspection teams throughout manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

Our team of NDT specialists, field service engineers, and technical experts helps organizations optimize inspection programs through:

  • Aerospace-focused training for eddy current, PAUT, bond testing, and remote visual inspection (RVI)
  • Technical guidance, instrument configuration, and application support
  • Calibration, repair, and preventative maintenance services
  • Software support and digital inspection platform updates
  • Custom probes and transducer solutions for specialized applications

From aerospace manufacturers and MRO providers to commercial aviation, defense, and space programs, Evident helps inspection teams find hidden defects, make confident decisions, and keep aircraft operating safely.

Explore more aviation and aerospace applications and blogs written by experts at Evident.

FAQs

Why is nondestructive testing important in the aviation industry?
Nondestructive testing is essential in aviation because aircraft components must meet strict safety, quality, and reliability requirements throughout their lifecycle. NDT allows inspection teams to detect hidden defects before they affect performance, helping prevent failures, reduce downtime, maintain regulatory compliance, and extend the service life of aircraft components. From manufacturing and assembly to routine maintenance and repair, reliable inspection supports safer and more efficient aviation operations.
What are the most common NDT methods used in aviation?

The most common NDT methods used in aviation include:

  • Ultrasonic testing (UT): Uses high-frequency sound waves to detect internal defects, including cracks, voids, and delamination in metals and composite materials.
  • Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT): Provides detailed imaging of internal structures for advanced defect detection and characterization.
  • Eddy current testing: Detects surface and near-surface cracks, corrosion, and material changes in conductive aerospace components.
  • Remote visual inspection (RVI): Uses videoscopes to inspect hard-to-reach areas, such as aircraft engines and turbine components, without disassembly.
  • Material analysis: Uses technologies such as XRF to verify alloy composition and confirm material specifications.

The appropriate method depends on the component, material, inspection requirements, and type of defect being evaluated.

How are composite aerospace structures inspected?
Composite aerospace structures are typically inspected using ultrasonic testing, phased array ultrasonic testing, bond testing, and other advanced NDT methods. These techniques help identify defects such as delamination, disbonds, voids, and impact damage that may not be visible on the surface. Because composites are increasingly used in aircraft wings, fuselage sections, and other lightweight structures, reliable composite inspection is critical for maintaining structural integrity and aircraft safety.
What types of defects can aviation NDT detect?

Aviation NDT can detect a wide range of defects and material conditions, including:

  • Surface and subsurface cracks
  • Fatigue cracking
  • Corrosion and material degradation
  • Delamination in composite structures
  • Disbonds between bonded materials
  • Voids and inclusions
  • Weld defects
  • Foreign object damage (FOD)
  • Material inconsistencies and alloy variations

By identifying these issues early, NDT helps inspection teams make informed maintenance and manufacturing decisions.

What is borescope inspection in aviation?
Borescope inspection in aviation is a form of remote visual inspection (RVI) that uses a small, flexible videoscope to examine areas of an aircraft that are difficult or impossible to access without disassembly. Aviation borescope inspections are commonly performed on engines, turbines, and other internal components to identify issues such as cracks, corrosion, wear, and foreign object damage. This approach helps reduce inspection time, minimize maintenance disruption, and improve aircraft availability.
What is first article inspection in aviation manufacturing?
First article inspection (FAI) in aviation manufacturing is a detailed evaluation performed on the first completed part or assembly from a new production process. The purpose of FAI is to verify that the component meets engineering drawings, design specifications, material requirements, and quality standards before full-scale production begins. NDT may be included as part of the inspection process to confirm the structural integrity and quality of critical aerospace components.
How does aerospace inspection software improve inspection workflows?
Aviation inspection software helps teams collect, analyze, manage, and share inspection data more efficiently. Digital solutions can transform raw inspection results into actionable insights, simplify reporting, improve traceability, and support collaboration between inspectors, engineers, and maintenance teams. By connecting inspection devices, analysis tools, and workflow platforms, aerospace organizations can improve documentation, reduce manual processes, and make faster, more confident decisions.
What is aviation NDT?
Aviation NDT is a group of inspection methods used to evaluate aircraft materials, components, and structures without causing damage. NDT helps aerospace manufacturers, airlines, and maintenance teams identify defects such as cracks, corrosion, delamination, and material inconsistencies while keeping components in service. Common aerospace NDT methods include ultrasonic testing, phased array inspection, eddy current testing, remote visual inspection, and material analysis.