Digital Photography in Airplane Maintenance


Digital photography is an effective, efficient medium that Boeing, airlines, and repair stations are using to share the complex technical information needed to assess airplane damage and repair. Like traditional photographs, digital images provide three-dimensional color views that accurately depict specific airplane or component configurations, previous modifications, repairs, and accessibility constraints. Because these images are stored digitally, however, they can be transferred rapidly to anywhere in the world.

A growing number of Boeing Field Service representatives around the world are now using digital cameras to help assess airplane damage and repair. By sending digital image files electronically, representatives can quickly transmit information to the appropriate Boeing technical analyst.This latest use of digital photography complements the several airlines, suppliers, and repair stations that already use the technology to resolve technical issues and produce training materials.

Operators who want to begin using digital photography need a basic understanding of the following:

1 Storage and transfer of digital images.
2 Required hardware and software.
3 Recommended composition of photographs.
4 Techniques for transmitting digital information.

1 STORAGE & TRANSFER OF DIGITAL IMAGES
Unlike traditional cameras, digital cameras do not use film. Images are stored as digital files in the camera's memory, where they are available for immediate transfer to a personal computer. Images may be printed, copied to floppy disks or servers, attached to electronic messages for distribution, or imbedded in documents or presentations.

2 REQUIRED HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
A minimum of two pieces of hardware and two software applications are required to implement digital imaging technology.

Hardware.The two pieces of hardware required are a digital camera or video capture device and a personal computer (PC). A video-capture device is used in conjunction with a standard video camera to digitize motion or still images. However, a mid- or high-range digital camera generally produces higher-quality images than the combination of a standard video camera and video-capture device. After an image is captured in the camera, it is uploaded to a PC for viewing and editing.

Software.Manipulating and transmitting digital photography requires graphics and communi-cations software applications.

Most digital camera and video-capturing device packages include software for viewing and editing digital images on a PC. Although capabilities and ease of use vary among products, most software packages provide the viewing and editing capabilities necessary to assist in airplane maintenance.

The software also converts images from the camera's proprietary image format to a standard format that is more accessible to other audiences. Several standard image formats are available, with the format type denoted by a three-character filename extension. Among the more prevalent formats are the following:

Compression. Boeing normally uses the JPEG imaging format because of its compression capability. An image saved as a JPEG file at a compression factor of 15 percent provides high-resolution photos with a file size less than one-quarter the size of most other formats. Smaller file sizes minimize storage space requirements, reduce transmission time, and accommodate the file size limitations imposed by most network and electronic distribution mail programs.

3 RECOMMENDED COMPOSITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
The following suggestions can help airplane maintenance personnel produce an effective series of digital images:

On-aircraft repairs.Take a picture of the general area to orient the viewer, then take close-up shots of the repair area. For components, shoot the entire unit first, then select macro mode (if applicable) for close-up shots of the repair area.
Annotated images.Explain the images whenever possible by including aircraft orientation (for example, FWD and LOOKING INBOARD), station locations, longerons, and other items that aid in orientation.

Relative measurements.Place a measuring device adjacent to the subject when necessary to provide a sense of scale.

Proper angles.As with any photography, avoid camera angles that result in backlighting. Avoid head-on flash pictures of polished metal or white painted surfaces.

4 TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSMITTING DIGITAL INFORMATION
Two main methods exist for sending digital files electronically to Boeing Field Service representatives:

1. Attachment to an electronic message.
2. Direct transmission to other PCs using a modem and off-the-shelf file transfer software.

Boeing Field Service representatives may then send digital images to several Boeing locations for analysis. Operators should contact their local Boeing Field Service representative for more information.

SUMMARY
Digital photography offers the potential for improved communications from the field about airplane damage and repair. Digital files can be quickly transmitted electronically to Boeing field service representatives, significantly reducing response time from Boeing technical analysts. Operators can implement this technology by obtaining the required hardware and software, then acquiring a basic knowledge of how digital photography is stored and transmitted, photographic composition, and the methods available for transmitting digital images to Boeing. Operators should contact their local Field Service representatives with questions about using this technology, including its availability at their specific Field Service location.

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CASE STUDY
Digital photography reduces repair time by several daysThese digital photographs show actual damage inflicted on a 727 by ground equipment. Using the traditional communication methods of fax and BOECOM, the time required for Boeing Field Service representatives to define and describe this type of damage would have amounted to several days. However, digital photography and video teleconferencing made it possible to deliver this series of pictures to the Boeing Service Engineering Structures group in less than one hour.

Preliminary evaluation of the pictures by Service Engineering reduced the problem-identification phase of the repair effort to the shortest possible time. The engineers who evaluated these photos left the Seattle Field Service office with copies of them for Boeing Airplane-on-Ground planning. As they left they were already discussing how to modify an existing repair kit for this particular effort. Elapsed time from notification to beginning the repair effort was about two hours.

Operators without access to Field Service assistance may call thefollowing numbers 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

Standard-body Airline Support:
(206) 544-7500

Wide-body Airline Support:
(425) 342-4731

A comprehensive digital camera guide is available at www.plugin.com/dcg2.html.

Mike Dooly
Manager, Technical Training
Boeing Field Service
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group

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