Page 6 - Nellis AFB Bullseye 8-14-15
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6 August 14, 2015 Feature BULLSEYE
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NDI: Seeing things unseen by human eyes
By Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle fluorescent magnetic particle, ultrasonic, eddy this process after each flight for all fighter aircraft
current and radiographic inspections. They help at Nellis AFB.
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ensure the structural integrity of aircraft and sub-
assemblies, as well as ensure the safety of the pilots “We also provide inspections and equipment
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Pilots often and personnel on the ground. for completing x-ray inspections of F-15 (Eagle)
f ly through the air at speeds well over 1,000 miles aircraft,” said Sanders. “When maintenance is com-
per hour, causing them to look like gray blurs slic- “It’s a joint oil analysis program because all mili- QMFUFEPOUIFWBSJBCMFJOMFUSBNQTPGUIF'
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ing through the sky. tary branches require an oil analysis on a flying must complete x-ray inspections to ensure no tools
aircraft,” said Stephanie Zvonik, 57th Maintenance or hardware was left inside the ramp that might
At Nellis AFB, they often fly over vast miles of Group joint oil analysis program monitor. “We do damage the aircraft engine.”
empty desert during routine training missions. BOBOBMZTJTGPSUIFGPSFJHOOBUJPOBMTBOEBMM5%:
units as well. We’ll have them bring it in so we 5IF/%*-BCJTNBOOFE*GQMBOFTBSFG MZ-
In the blink of an eye, something could go always have that one-on-one contact.” ing at Nellis AFB, there is someone working at the
wrong; the pilots could lose sight of each other, /%*-BC
collide with one another, forcing them to eject from Zvonik went on to add that the purpose of this
their aircraft. When they reach down to pull the whole program is for preventative maintenance. 5IF/%*-BCBU/FMMJT"'#JTVOJRVFJOUIFXBZ
ejection handle, they are expecting all the parts 8JUI UIFTF QSPHSBNT
UIF /%* -BC DBO JOTQFDU that the technicians get to work on many different
to work as advertised, in a smooth, swift chain each piece individually for cracks, breaks, or de- weapons systems and aircraft.
reaction. fects that the human eye can’t see.
“We inspect assigned A-10 (Thunderbolt II), F-
If one part malfunctions or there’s a crack not “The oil analysis lab analyzes aircraft engine $%& & BH MF B OE 4U S J LF & BH MF
' $$($+
seen by the naked eye, then the pilots cannot es- lubricating oil after each f light of the aircraft,” (Fighting Flacon), F-22 (Raptor) and F-35A (Light-
cape from the aircraft. Not only would the U.S. Air T B JE +PI O 4 B OE F S T
U I . 9( / %* - B C MF B E i 5 IF ning II) aircraft where most other bases have only
Force lose millions of dollars, but also the most analysis provides the metal content of the oil which one or two types of aircraft assigned,” said Sanders.
valuable resource: the Airmen. identifies how the critical engine parts are wearing.
This pinpoints any problem areas of the engine that "MM /%* UFDIOJDJBOT BSF DFSUJGJFE QFS UIF /B-
Nondestructive Inspection Laboratory provides require repair by the propulsion technicians. The tional Aerospace Standard 410 and must complete
support for approximately 120 permanently as- early detection of defective engine parts prevents a battery of exams prior to certification, and must
signed aircraft and more than 500 visiting aircraft catastrophic failure of the engine.” complete the recertification process every five years.
U I SPV H IPVU U IF ZF B S *U B M T P QSPW JE F T / %* T VQQ PS U
for all base agencies. All fighter aircraft are required to have the “The standard establishes the requirements for
engine oil analyzed for wear metal concentration the qualification and certification of personnel per-
5IF /%* -BC JOTQFDUT BJSDSBGU TUSVDUVSFT BOE BGUFSG MZJOH5IF/%*0JM"OBMZTJT-BCDPNQMFUFT forming nondestructive inspection in the aerospace
sub-assemblies for defects and foreign objects by manufacturing, service, maintenance and overhaul
performing oil analysis, fluorescent dye penetrant, industries,” Sanders added.
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