NRC Aerospace Specimen Library

In support of IAR D-Sight projects and as a participant in the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aging Aircraft Research Program, IAR has collected a comprehensive library of specimens.

The specimens are fuselage skin sections containing lap or butt splices that have been removed from retired airframes. Specimens collected represent variations in construction throughout the fuselage and where possible, examples of both undamaged and corroded structure. Some undamaged specimens are utilized in an accelerated corrosion program. Also, a comprehensive Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) program is under way to characterize all of the specimens for corrosion, cracks and other defects.

In May 2001, IAR added a Boeing 727-90C donated by First Air to its collection. The aircraft was decommissioned in June 2000 after 33 years of service, having flown 76,598.5 hours and 59,981 cycles. This gift provides IAR with a rare opportunity to thoroughly examine an aircraft at the end of its life. The airframe was stripped of components such as engines, avionics, and moving parts on the wings and stabilizers, and has officially become Specimen #351(the IAR Aging Aircraft NDI/Maintenance Test-bed Vehicle). Over the next three years it will be used on at least two in-depth research projects. Inspections for corrosion damage are underway. A thorough investigation of how aging affects the aircraft's wiring systems will also be carried out.