Routine aviation inspections are a necessary part of maintaining an aircraft and can extend the lifespan of an aircraft. To ensure proper maintenance, technicians should invest in high-quality video borescope systems.
In this article, we provide a brief overview of aviation borescopes so you can feel confident in selecting the borescope that best suits your needs.
What Is an Aviation Borescope and How Does It Work?
Borescopes are inspection cameras used by aviation and aeronautic professionals to perform visual inspections of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and aircraft engines. Though the standard rigid borescope and flexible fiberscope are used for aviation inspection, there is consensus among industry experts that the videoscope, comprised of a fiber optic rod attached to a camera, is the best choice.
“They deliver better image quality and you have the capability to capture images and video to document the inspection,” Aviation Maintenance Magazine stated. “Technicians can just do a better job.”
To operate the videoscope, Aircraft Nerds advises users insert the camera into the engine through one of the various insertion points. The camera will then relay a magnified image to a connected monitor. Using the videoscope’s articulated tips, which enable more control over the direction of the camera, the inspector can maneuver the camera to view different components within the engine.
Videoscopes are often equipped with LED-lighting, allowing the operator to inspect and capture images of dark spaces.
What Are the Features and Benefits of Aviation Borescopes?
Videoscopes are renowned for their ability to inspect hard-to-reach areas of an aircraft as well as document inspections, making it much easier for technicians to identify defects, debris or imperfections. These two simple features come with a slew of benefits.
1. Time Efficiency
Technicians who implement videoscope technology will enjoy more efficient inspections. As Advanced Turbine Support states, “You don’t need to have workers dismantle a turbine so that it may be cleaned.” Videoscopes enable technicians to identify and target certain areas for cleaning and repair, meaning they avoid dismantling and rebuilding the engine and save time.
2. Documentation
Making use of videoscopes’ image capture technology allows technicians to document and keep detailed records of inspections. This way, the maintenance team can monitor small changes to an aircraft for future reference.
According to Aviation Maintenance Magazine, it also allows technicians, “to capture images and share them with other members of the maintenance team.” With a chance to review inspection footage, most technicians agree it’s easier to determine a diagnosis with the input of multiple teammates.
3. Increase Engine Lifespan
Thorough videoscope inspections will help avoid major damage to an engine and as a result, may extend the turbine’s lifespan. As Advanced Turbine Support states, “Turbine inspection helps professionals to discover any problems, such as tightening bolts, and then correct the issues to avoid major problems.”
