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November–December 1992
Magneto-optic/Eddy Current Imager — A Promising New Development in Nondestructive Testing 20 pages. [PDF 56K]
Conventional eddy current inspection devices have been used for many years in various nondestructive testing (NDT) applications. While eddy current NDT has proven to be very effective and is widely used, it does have limitations. Magneto-optic/eddy current imaging, a promising new development, is a follow-on to eddy current technology, based on the same scientific principles of the eddy current phenomena.
September–October 1992
The Transition from Mechanic to Technician: Attitude Is the Key to Better Training 20 pages. [PDF 57K]
Times and technology are changing at an incredible rate. A successful airframe and powerplant worker must also change. In making a transition from mechanic to technician, he or she can no longer afford to leave the sophisticated electronic equipment to the person sometimes nicknamed “Sparky.” Electronics are no longer limited to communications and navigation equipment and each new aircraft relies more heavily on electronics than the previous generation. The aircraft rolling onto the ramp today demand that technicians have attitudes and skills that allow them to cope with the variations and complexities of these electronic marvels.
July–August 1992
Static Electricity in Flight Threatens Aircraft Safety 21 pages. [PDF 65K]
Aircraft accumulate electrical charges created by static electricity under various flight conditions and discharge of that electricity can generate radio frequency interference (RFI). RFI can threaten the safety of flight because it can interfere with aircraft communications and navigation equipment that operate in very low frequency (VLF), high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) ranges by increasing equipment ambient noise levels and making reception difficult or impossible.
May–June 1992
NICAD Batteries Require Proper Care 16 pages. [PDF 50K]
Nickel-cadmium (NICAD) batteries have almost replaced lead-acid batteries, especially in turbine-powered aircraft. While many of the safety practices and procedures for handling and servicing lead-acid batteries are similar to those specified for NICAD units, there are several important differences and peculiarities of which maintenance technicians should be aware.
March–April 1992
New Technology Speeds Retrieval of Maintenance Information 16 pages. [PDF 44K]
A means of making the voluminous amount of maintenance material more compact, yet more easily retrieved and updated, is available through CD/ROM technology. Some leading airlines have been incorporating CD/ROM technology into their maintenance activities and progress is continuing at a rapid pace.
January–February 1992
Proper Radome Care Is Essential to Peak Performance 20 pages. [PDF 62K]
An aircraft radome serves several purposes. It must protect the weather radar antenna and its mounting and driving mechanisms from the environment; provide a structural fairing for the nose of the aircraft; and, provide a proper “electrical window” through which the radar signal can be transmitted and the response signal received. Not surprisingly, meeting these three goals requires some compromises. What might be good for one purpose may cause poor performance in another area.