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UK National Aerospace NDT Board

1

Introduction to the UK National Aerospace Board

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Background prEN4179 introduced the concept of a

National Aerospace NDT Board to provide support with the qualification and approval of NDT personnel.

At a meeting of interested parties in April 1996 to discuss prEN4179 and the need for a NAndtB, consensus opinion of the UK Aerospace Industry was against the establishment of such a Board.

This was also the view of SBAC NDT SIG.

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JAR 145 and Protected Rights

JAR 145 amendment 3 brought in the requirement for NDT personnel to be qualified to EN4179 after 31 December 2003.

NDT Personnel qualified to a national standard recognised by the JAA Full member authority may continue to carry out and control such tests after December 2003. (JAR145.30(f)(1))

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EASA Part 145 Part 145.A.30(f) states that NDT

personnel must be qualified to a European standard recognised by the Agency.

AMC145.A.30(f) declares that the European standard recognised by the Agency is EN4179:2000 and does not include EN473.

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National Aerospace NDT Board

AMC145.A.30(f) 4 requires in addition to EN4179 that all examinations should be conducted by personnel or organisations under the control of a National Aerospace NDT Board. Where there is not a National Aerospace NDT Board, the NDT Board of another Member state should be used as defined by the competent authority.

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National Aerospace NDT Board

Until a National Aerospace NDT Board is established, newly qualified NDT personnel will not be able to carry out tasks under Part 145. A National Aerospace NDT Board could, according to EN4179:2000 paragraph 4.5 recognise equivalences of qualification and approval, which could allow recognition of EN473 qualification within EN4179 schemes.

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Implications

Newly qualified NDT personnel operating under part 145 cannot be approved.

Establishment of a UK NAndtB is a necessity.

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Initial Meeting Representatives from each UK Aerospace

Prime and the CAA - 24th May 2004 at Hatton Cross. AIRBUS, Agusta Westland, BA, BAE Systems,

Bombardier, Honeywell, Messier Dowty, RR. Agreement reached to act as a ‘formative

working group’, establish a UK NAndtB and determine the what, who and how’s.

CAA confirm: prEN4179:2003 should be used as the

‘standard’ within the UK. Protected rights period extended to end of

part 145 transition period, i.e. 28 November 2004.

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Application CAA do not wish to see a two track

system between NDT personnel operating under part 145 and part 21.

CAA report that AWN94 will be revised for publication in 2005, estimated timescales: Draft by end of November (prior to

7/12/04 UK NAndtB Meeting). Issue by March/April 2005.

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Organisation

NANDTB

Prime Contractors

(charter)

Maintenance Facilities (MRO’s)

Training Centres

BINDT (administration)

CAA (recognition)

Prime Contractors (OEM’s)

Suppliers, Sub Contractors, Test Laboratories

‘Control of Examinations’

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Formative Working Group Subsequent meetings held 28th June, 29th

July, 25th August. Draft Constitution, Aims & Objectives,

Method of Operation, Terms of Reference established.

Membership and voting rights determined.

Processes for controlling examinations identified as first priority.

BINDT requested to act as secretariat.

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Role of the UK NAndtB As recognised by EN4179:2003

Establishing NDT personnel training, experience and examination requirements for certification in ‘other’ NDT methods.

Administering procedures for qualification and certification of NDT personnel.

Recognising equivalence of qualification and certification.

Providing general guidelines for NDT training, course outlines, examination questions and exam procedures.

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Control of Examinations

NDT personnel trained &

examined by the employer

NDT personnel trained &

examined by an Outside

Agency

NDT personnel trained &

examined by central

certification

Recognition of BINDT

accreditation for Outside Agencies providing employer

based training &

examination

Recognition of Nadcap

accreditation

Recognition of PCN as satisfying

EN4179 and being suitably

sector specific

Note: Recognition of Nadcap accreditation could not be

adopted by the Board as not all NAndtB members are

subscribers to Nadcap and thus full oversight could not be

achieved.

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Inaugural Meeting 4th October 2004 at Messier Dowty, the

UK NAndtB is launched as an independent organisation, chartered by participating prime contractors and recognised by the CAA.

Chair, Vice Chair and Secretariat agreed. Constitution, Aims & Objectives, Method

of Operation, Terms of Reference agreed.

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Control of Examinations At Outside Agencies.

Recognition and oversight of BINDT accreditation granted to Outside Agencies providing employer based training & examination [outstanding issue].

Within ‘in house’ schemes. By mandating employers gain BINDT

accreditation for ‘in house’ training & examination [outstanding issue].

Administered by PCN. By taking control of PCN Aerospace

examinations, ensuring compliance with EN4179 .

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Other Activities Liaison with other existing and newly

established NAndtB’s. Dedicated UK NAndtB web page

established on the BINDT website. Publishing a quarterly NAndtB report in NDT

News.

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Interim Measure Recognise current PCN Aerospace Certification as

satisfying EN4179 for part 145 organisations until revised PCN Aerospace scheme implemented.

The UK NAndtB will manage individual cases for personnel performing tasks under part 145, certified in accordance with EN4179, requiring approval after 28 November, until such time BINDT accreditation process is in place.

The UK NAndtB will establish processes and procedures to support this where necessary.