Course description
The course aims to introduce tools and techniques that facilitate the digitalisation of maintenance activities of aircraft structures and improve existing approaches. The "smart hangar" concept is introduced that involves better analytical tools, advanced sensors in infrastructure, automation and robotics. The aim is to maintain the digital records to become the source of data analysis that can act as the baseline to compare future inspections and quantify the degradation rate.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
This course is the best choice for those who are involved in the design and validation of automated and autonomous systems inspections using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and/or unmanned ground vehicles. It is also suitable for those that work in the area of maintenance and operation.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
The course gives a theoretical and methodological background for implementing automated systems inspection of aerospace structures. By using advanced imaging non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, you will automatically and increasingly accurately identify defects and then by applying artificial intelligence (AI) – machine learning (ML) approaches, it would be feasible to make credible "fly/no-fly" decisions promptly and provide maintenance services with valuable information. In other words, the development of advanced diagnostic and monitoring of aircraft structures. Then various tools and techniques for the digitalisation of maintenance activities of aircraft structures in order to improve existing approaches are also introduced.
On successful completion, you should be able to understand the use of:
- NDT imaging approaches for damage detection
- Autonomous and efficient path planning for optimal remote structural inspection
- Self localisation and obstacle avoidance within complex environments
- Aerial and/or ground robotic manipulation for inspection and diagnostics
- AI – ML to automatically and increasingly accurately identify defects
- Maintenance planning and monitoring of structures
Training Course Content
Core content
Topics covered by the course include:
- NDT imaging techniques for aircraft inspection
- Flight control and obstacle avoidance
- Localisation and mapping
- Damage detection, defect localisation, image processing and NDT assessment
- Digitalisation of maintenance data - digital MRO
- Use of AI for damage assessment and decision making
- Practical case study on an actual aircraft for automated – autonomous NDT inspection
Course delivery details
Course structure
The course duration is three days and it will be delivered at Cranfield University and as 100% online delivery.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...