BASEL / April 12, 2021 — Jet Aviation is pleased to announce it has received approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) to use infrared thermography for non-destructive testing (NDT) in Basel. This is the company’s 6th NDT technique approved in Basel. The Basel NDT Shop was established in 1991 and further supports liquid penetrant, X-Ray, magnetic particle, eddy current and ultrasonic testing.

Used to detect heat or thermal energy from an object, infrared thermography is a highly sensitive and reliable method of non-destructive testing that converts heat energy to a temperature, which can then be depicted as an image of temperature distribution. It is the same technology used in night vision goggles and is also employed in medical science to detect irregularities such as cancer and chronic disease. In aviation, it is typically applied to the airframe and components to test structural integrity.

“We have been inspecting aircraft components and structures with NDT techniques for 30 years in Basel and are delighted to expand our service capabilities with this approval for infrared thermography,” says Frédéric Westpalm van Hoorn, Senior Manager of Basel’s NDT and Components Shops. “Like all NDT techniques, Infrared Thermography provides a non-invasive means of detecting problems before they escalate and potentially cause catastrophic results. For example, it can detect water collecting in the elevators or rudder, which could then be addressed to prevent the in-flight freezing and expansion that might lead to ruptures.”

Typically performed during scheduled maintenance, infrared thermography is used to detect delamination, defective bonding, and water ingress, as well as corrosion and material thinning. It is particularly well-suited for the inspection of composite materials.

Cyril Martiniere, Vice President MRO Services Europe & GM Basel, adds, “Jet Aviation is committed to innovation, quality, and service excellence. Infrared thermography is just one more way our teams of professionals enable global flight, with passion.”

Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been enabling global flight with passion since 1967. From a single maintenance hangar in Basel, Switzerland, to some 50 locations and 4,000 employees worldwide, our offering includes Aircraft Management, Aircraft Sales, Charter, Completions, Defence, FBO, Maintenance, and Staffing. We are the effort behind effortless. Please visit www.jetaviation.com and follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jet-aviation

More information about General Dynamics is available online at: www.generaldynamics.com

Contact: Mary-Lou Murphy, Communications Manager, +41 58 158 8891, marylou.murphy@jetaviation.com Jet Aviation Management AG
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