31 August 2023
Personnel from the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) have returned from New Zealand, where they trained members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in composite technologies and repairs.
It was the first time RAAF has delivered this training in New Zealand.
Many modern aircraft are composed of composite materials, and the tools and methods used to assess and repair these aircraft is the expertise of DASA’s Non Destructive Testing and Composite Technology (NDT&CT) facility.
Warrant Officer Justyn Franklin, from NDT&CT, said considerable preparation went into delivering the course, though teaching the theory required only minimal adjustment.
“Some physical equipment, such as elevated temperature equipment, laptops and other small consumables and components, had to be taken. We also supplied the RNZAF composite material training aids, which we use to conduct the practical portion of the course,” Warrant Officer Franklin said.
The six-week course was well received by RNZAF.
Flight Lieutenant Darryn Bosher, Staff Officer Non-Destructive Testing & Composites Certification, Maintenance Wing Ohakea of RNZAF, said having the course conducted locally was valuable for RNZAF.
“It was an opportunity to have the RAAF composites experts review and report on RNZAF composite repair facilities, procedures and work culture,” Flight Lieutenant Bosher said.
“The feedback helped us target the infrastructure and equipment changes to meet RAAF standards. This is important as RNZAF intent is to harmonise with RAAF NDT&CT, beyond the shared training and certification, to facilitate interoperability and support within the NDT and composite repair specialisations.”
According to Warrant Officer Franklin, the NDT&CT facility is “essentially the only organisation in the world who deliver [a] course to this high standard for composite repairs on aircraft”.
He added that he and his colleagues didn’t just deliver a course but provided valuable advice to RNZAF on using their composite facility.
“Throughout the course, we assisted the RNZAF members on how to maximise their composite facility and gain the best benefit from this training within their own workshops and environment,” Warrant Officer Franklin said.
“We also provided advice on regulatory management of composite repairs, facility upgrades and materials management, and providing education and advice on techniques specific to tooling and materials on their own aircraft.
“The key word here is ‘interoperability’.”
