TEST NDT International recently presented a newly created, BINDT validated, composite and bond-testing training programme for a leading airlines NDT personnel.

The course was developed to familiarise the inspectors with Composites and Bond-testing theory, and concepts along with the operating principles of various types of bond-testing equipment.

The training featured theory on the major aspects of composite and bond-testing principles including; conventional ultrasonic inspection of composites and other techniques including: tap testing, airborne ultrasound, mechanical impedance analysis, resonance testing and pitch catch testing using pulsed and swept lamb waves.

The training also included a comprehensive session on composite manufacturing and bonding technologies.

The course author and presenter was Richard Harrison who has over 32 years of aircraft composite NDT experience.

The instruments used for the training include, the Mitsui Woodpecker, NDT Systems Curlin Air, NDT Systems Bondascope 3100, Zetec MIZ 21SR and the Olympus BondMaster.

This course is accredited by BINDT and is available as a scheduled course at the TEST NDT International facility in Preston, or at customer's facilities throughout the world.

This course was generated to satisfy a relatively recent guidance contained in UK NANDTB 18 regarding the need or otherwise to formalise such training and certification requirements under EN 4179 for specialised training and additional supplementary qualification examinations to cover special techniques, such as bond-testing. It is suggested that This training and examination process must be carried out "in the spirit of EN 4179" and the examinations must be conducted by a nominated level 3 with external level 3 credentials, such as ASNT NDT level 3 or PCN (Aerospace) level 3 certification as per the CAP 747, G23 / and EASA Part 145 requirements.

TEST NDT also celebrated February this year, receiving ISO 9001:2008 certification for its Quality Management System. This is in addition to the currently held accreditation from BINDT as an NDT training provider and from NANDTAB as an accredited outside agency Level 3 service provider.