The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S.\u00a0airlines, in association with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), today presented the winners of\u00a0the 2010 FAA-ATA Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) \u201cBetter Way\u201d award.<\/p>\n
The Better Way Award annually recognizes a government?industry team that has developed and applied\u00a0a technology, technique, process or policy resulting in a more sensitive, reliable or cost?effective process\u00a0for inspecting and testing of aircraft, aircraft components or aircraft systems. This award, jointly\u00a0sponsored by the FAA and ATA, was presented today at the ATA Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Forum in\u00a0Albuquerque, New Mexico.<\/p>\n
Industry and airline professionals on the Application of Process Compensated Resonant Testing (PCRT)\u00a0team who were recognized with this prestigious award include: Scott Davidson, Mark Elliott, Jim Heuer,\u00a0Jeff Peiter, David Piotrowski, Ramesh Ramakrishnan, John Robertson, Eric Schmitt and Louise Schoon\u00a0from Delta Air Lines, and Lemna Hunter, Leanne Jauriqui and Greg Weaver from Vibrant.<\/p>\n
Delta Air Lines teamed with Vibrant, to test the PCRT system, which is based on the fundamental that\u00a0any rigid component will resonate at specific frequencies dependent on mass, geometry and material\u00a0properties. The PCRT team proved this technique can reduce costs by allowing for a more rapid, reliable\u00a0and sensitive inspection. The PCRT technique can be used to find all known defects in the JT8D engine\u00a0first-stage turbine blades.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe extend well-deserved congratulations to this year\u2019s winning team for its enhanced work in the\u00a0advancement and cost reduction of engine inspections,\u201d said ATA President and CEO James C. May.\u00a0\u201cEngine reliability is an absolutely crucial component and this award exemplifies the importance of the\u00a0industry\u2019s need for continuing these collaborative efforts.\u201d\u00a0ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and\u00a0cargo traffic.<\/p>\n