Three Innovative Inspection Technologies From GE Aerospace

From the shop floor to the skies, GE Aerospace’s innovation is at the heart of its operations. That same innovation has led to the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies that ensure the safety and quality of its engines.

Building on its purpose to “bring them home safely,” GE Aerospace unveiled a series of videos on its updated safety webpage that highlight some of the innovative inspection technologies it uses to keep that pledge.

The videos showcase multiple technologies employed at different stages in the life of an engine: ultrasonic inspection during manufacturing; the AI-enabled Blade Inspection Tool once an engine is on-wing; and AI-guided white light robot inspection when an engine receives maintenance off-wing.

“GE Aerospace has made a big investment in digitizing and automating inspection,” says Nicole Jenkins, chief manufacturing engineer for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). “It’s really an investment in proactive safety, especially since it enables us to deploy technology that helps maintain quality throughout an engine’s entire life. These inspection technologies exemplify GE Aerospace’s commitment to safety and drive to support our customers.”

From becoming the first manufacturer to have its safety management system (SMS) accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration — and establishing it more than a decade before the proposed requirement — to forming the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition last year with other industry leaders to help prevent unauthorized parts, GE Aerospace continues to set the standard for using innovation in safety and quality.