Composite Airframe Maintenance and Airworthiness Education and Training at the National Institute for Aviation Research

Organization

Wichita State University

Date Requested

May 15, 2009

Amount Requested

$1,500,000

Purpose Of Request

Steady growth in the use of composite materials has continued in commercial and military transport aircraft and rotorcraft. With an increasing number of aircraft using composite materials in structures critical to flight safety, the engineers and inspectors involved in certification and continued airworthiness assessments must be familiar with the associated technical issues and principles of safety management. The overall safety goal of their efforts is to maintain a high degree of airworthiness assurance with these advanced structures. The proposed research will develop a systematic approach to providing for safe use of composite and other advanced materials. It will engage the aviation industry on technical matters of relevance in mitigating the risk of accidents, incidents and emerging safety threats. This will directly support the active FAA Composite Safety & Certification Initiatives (CS&CI) to develop related policy, guidance and training. It will also develop strategies for international composite standards organizations, such as CMH-17 and CACRC.