Stay Ahead of the Leading Edge

This training course is designed to provide aircraft Ground Support Personnel (baggage & cargo handlers, fuel and service providers, etc.) with a dynamic overview of advanced composite materials that are used to manufacture the new generation aircraft.

With “safety” as the prime directive, the goal of this course is to create awareness for support personnel as to the differences between legacy all-metal aircraft and the new generation of all-composite aircraft (Boeing 787, Airbus A350, Bombardier C-Series, etc.)

Damage to “primary” composite structures can be CRITICAL to safe flight. Unlike metal aircraft, damage to a composite structure can be completely INVISIBLE to the naked eye! Having an awareness of how composites react to an impact from ground vehicles or equipment is important for service personnel. What has always been considered a “Minor” dent in metal can actually result in catastrophic failure of a composite part when the damage is all internal and not seen on the surface.

“Awareness” is the key factor in safety when providing support or servicing on or around composite aircraft. This course will provide the trainee with the “essential foundation knowledge” of how to recognize, report and above all else, PREVENT damage to composite aircraft structures.

Topics covered in this 1-Day course include:

• History, trends, and recent developments of composite materials in aircraft structures
• How to recognize the composite materials / structures on an aircraft
• Understanding how damage is caused in composite structures
• How to recognize damage and when to report what might not be a “Minor” problem
• Health and Safety; providing an awareness of substances contained in composite structures
• Case studies of damaged composite aircraft structures. What caused to damage, how the structure failed and how to determine the need for further investigation when a so-called “Minor” impact occurs.

Prerequisites
Prior composites experience or training is not required.