January/February 2023 - 20

INSPECTION & TESTING
Borescopes,
an Inside View
Borescopes provide an inside look at areas
of an aircraft too small to otherwise see.
But knowing what kind of borescope and
what features it needs to get the job done
can take a few glances.
By Walker Jaroch
I
Knowing how to
determine what kind of
borescope is right for the
task at hand is critical.
JME TECHNOLOGIES,
INC
20 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023
n lieu of X-ray vision, the borescope
is the tool technicians need to get
a look at the inside workings of the
cramped and small spaces of aircraft.
And while it's essential equipment,
that doesn't mean there aren't essential
questions to ask when it comes to
borescopes and their use. For example,
how does a person know
what kind of borescope is
right for the job?
Bill French, sales representative,
USA Borescopes,
said the answer can be pretty
simple on the surface when
it comes to knowing what kind
of scope to use.
" The best borescope is the one that does everything
you need and fits in your budget. The range
of borescopes in features and functions is pretty
wide, and it really depends on what advanced features
you're looking for and as well as your budget, "
said French.
With that in mind, a technician is going to need
to know the ins and outs of the different borescope
options out there to determine which is the right
one for them.
Borescopes come in a slew of different
sizes, styles and features.
JME TECHNOLOGIES, INC
The Right Scope for the Right Job
Broadly, borescopes fall into three primary categories:
rigid, flexible and fiberscope. Each borescope
has a role to play in a given industry, explained
Masateru Ito, marketing specialist for remote visual
inspection, Evident.
" There are a wide variety of borescope types due
to the different scope diameters, insertion lengths,
measurement capabilities and accessories, such
as retrieval tools. Borescope specifications differ
according to various industry standards and
applications. The borescopes must meet the performance
requirements for inspections as stated
in the manuals issued by aircraft manufacturers,
such as the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)
and the Standard Practices Manual (SPM), as well
as engine OEMs, " he said.
Rigid borescopes were some of the first created,
and while still in use today, flexible scopes are what
most aviation technicians are going to need.
" The main types of flexible borescopes utilize a
video chip format with internal feature options of
articulation, image and video capture, measurement
and angle of view at the end tip options, "
explained Jerry Ewert, CEO and President, JME
Technologies. " It can be challenging to choose the
correct borescope. The application for the borescope
use must be determined. "
Knowing what kind of scope to use is just one
part of the equation. Deciding what features and
functions you need a borescope to perform is equally
important as to knowing what options you don't
need. French compares shopping for borescopes
to car shopping.
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January/February 2023
