George Hopman

Eddy current inspection is one of the five main non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in the industry, alongside liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and radiographic testing. Due to its complex theoretical basis, it is the least used and hardest to understand.

The Level III (SNT-TC-1A) / Level 3 (NAS 410) population of inspectors is graying and looking forward to retirement. A problem for the foreseeable future is a current shortage of qualified Level IIIs in all NDT methods.

In production, every aircraft structure component will undergo inspection by one of the primary NDT methods. In-service aircraft will experience subsequent nondestructive testing, eddy current inspection being one the primary methods. This article serves to highlight the more common forms of eddy current applications on in-service aircraft.

Toward the end of this decade, our industry will realize a full century since the inception of the magnetic particle inspection method.