To the breaking point

Test engineers use new rigs and data-acquisition equipment on the latest generation of pneumatics, engines, and airframes.

Like doctors poking, prodding, and investigating a patient's vital organs, aerospace test engineers likewise have a variety of tools and processes to determine the health of their charges-whether they are high-pressure pneumatic ducting, engine combustors, or aircraft wings. All those tools and processes are in play today as a new golden age descends on the aerospace testing industry as virtually every major OEM is rolling out new or significantly modified airframes, engines, and subsystems.

“I've been here for 32 years and have never seen more new products under development than we have today,” said Bob Rulli, Manager of Test Facilities Engineering for GE-Aviation. “In the last decade we've worked on nine new engine programs.”