Helping the Aerospace
Industry Ensure the
Highest Degree of Safety
As a leader in non-destructive testing (NDT), IIA helps aerospace companies ensure the safety of parts and components before they ever leave the ground.
And our Lift Services team is a leader in performing inspections and non-destructive testing to ensure lift equipment is structurally sound and safe to use.
Our team stays up to date on the latest standards, regulations, and technology affecting the aerospace industry. We provide NADCAP accredited and ISO Compliant non-destructive testing. Our Sunnyvale and St. Louis labs are also certified FAA Repair Stations.
From ground support equipment (GSE) to airplane components to satellite solar arrays, no flaw will escape detection by our advanced technologies and experienced team. Partner with IIA and gain peace of mind.
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Lab Services for the Aerospace Industry
Conventional NDT
IIA is an industry leader in conventional NDT, which allows us to evaluate materials for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics, without destroying the serviceability of the part or system. To meet the unique needs of our aerospace clients, we offer a wide variety of NDT, including coating thickness, conventional radiography (RT), ultrasonic (UT), magnetic particle (MT), dye penetrant (PT), hardness, magnetic flux leakage (MFL), eddy current and visual inspection.
Destructive Examinations
IIA performs destructive testing as well, which aids in understanding and analyzing an item’s material characterization and performance. Destructive examination is also helpful for fabrication validation and to test and investigate product failure. IIA has the capability of either following specific standards for your destructive examination or tailoring testing methods to replicate particular service conditions. These types of tests are an integral part of engineering and critical assessments, and can sometimes involve NDT techniques as well.
3D Scanning
3D scanning is flexible, efficient, highly accurate — and the first step to an array of applications, including reverse engineering and scan-to-CAD comparison. We have the ability to scan items ranging from a small, flat coin to the dynamic geometry of a fighter jet, and everything in between. We leverage our experience and technology to overcome the constraints of size, complexity and material.
Pyrometry
Our experience in the aerospace industry offers customers a greater understanding of major governing bodies’ requirements for pyrometry, such as meeting AMS2750E requirements and NADCAP technical compliance and audits. IIA designs and builds calibration equipment with the understanding that individual requirements apply for each examined part (for example, varying heat tolerances). Our experts know exactly which calibration cycles to consider in relation to specifications, equipment types, and parts being processed.
Dimensional Inspection
IIA’s vast industry experience and 24-hour operations make us the most efficient, effective and trusted leader in dimensional inspection. We use your specifications to conduct First Article Inspections and capability studies, and all of your projects are personally managed by a highly skilled technician or engineer.
Specs & Certifications
Need to become certified or have parts processed soon? Our team offers fast and reliable surveys, inspections, and certifications to ensure aerospace manufacturers are providing safe and compliant components. Need to meet customer specifications? IIA helps customers understand specification requirements and conducts testing to determine whether those requirements can be or are being met.
Telecommunications Testing
& Certification
IIA offers accurate and dependable electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), wireless, radio/RF, and telecom compliance testing and certification to meet most countries’ standards for electronic/electrical products, radio devices, and products with integrated wireless technologies. Our accredited certifiers review all applicable requirements and offer guidance on respective product requirements before and during the review process.
Calibration
Having industrial equipment, such as ovens, properly calibrated is especially important within the aerospace industry. IIA has decades of experience in industrial oven repair, service, upgrades and calibration. Our environmentally controlled, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories offer an array of calibration and repair services, and accuracy that is second to none. Our mobile labs bring our dimensional capabilities right to your door. All calibrations are traceable to National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and comply with ISO standards.
Reverse Engineering
Reverse Engineering is used to recreate a part, component, or any other object. But first, the dimensions, material properties and features of the part or component need to be captured and analyzed. Our in-house Deviation Analysis (DA) process ensures each feature and characteristic is accurate to the scanned part. This specialty DA process is used throughout the entire reverse engineering project and with every additional feature, enhancement, or iteration. Our reverse engineering process is highly refined and optimized around challenges specific to the aerospace industry.
NADCAP Audit Support
National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) audits are important assessments of technical compliance to industry standards. Only premier companies in the aerospace supply chain receive this accreditation — and IIA is proud to be among them. (In fact, thanks to consistently strong performance during annual NADCAP audits, IIA Lab Services is now on a reduced, two-year audit cycle.) Our auditing consulting services help clients navigate the rigorous, and often intimidating, NADCAP audit process. One of our Senior Technicians will answer questions and provide support and guidance to ensure your audit goes smoothly.
Coating Testing
Coating testing is a critical part of the evaluation process when reviewing components and materials for safety, compliance, and durability. The experts at IIA conduct simulated/accelerated exposure and physical testing to ensure that your product’s coating can stand up to extreme environments, impact, or abrasion. We have the capability to test a wide variety of components, from small screws to large housings and electric motors. Offering a full range of laboratory testing, you can count on our experts to know exactly which testing methods should be used for your project.
Metallurgical Testing
Metallurgical testing can be critical for evaluating the quality of metal employed in both industrial (aerospace, construction, medical devices, etc.) and consumer products and components. We use metallurgical testing to verify the conformance of metals to your requirements and also to industry standards. Additionally, our expert analysis can provide insight into the causes of failures from material defects, manufacturing processes, and service. The results can then be used to prevent future failures and negotiate disputes between suppliers, manufacturers, and end users.
Lift Services for the Aerospace Industry
Engineering Solutions for Ground Support Equipment
As a full-service company, we can also provide engineering solutions related to custom design lift devices, engineered critical lifts, outrigger mat shoring, engineered weld repairs, and load rate/derate cranes.
Overhead Crane Services
With over 20 years of experience, we are the industry leader when it comes to the fabrication and installation of new crane equipment, as well as the testing, training, maintenance, and repair of all crane systems. Our crane engineers can also assist with engineered weld repairs. Read more about our Overhead Crane Services.
Compliance Tracking
Many aerospace companies partner with us to perform and track required ANSI or OSHA inspections and keep them in compliance. Our team is well versed in all regulatory requirements affecting lift equipment in the aerospace industry. From start to finish, we keep meticulous records of our inspection process and test results. You can trust IIA to track your testing needs and inform you well before your equipment is due for inspections. This service reduces the risk of compliance issues and allows you more time to focus on your core business.
Operational/Safety Inspections of Lift Devices
For decades, we have provided on-site inspections and certifications to all the major players in the aerospace arena to ensure the safety of GSE, overhead cranes, fire trucks and other aerial and lift devices. Our NDT expertise allows us to accurately detect surface and subsurface defects without damaging the equipment being tested. We offer a wide variety of complementary NDT, including magnetic particle testing (MT), ultrasonic testing (UT), visual and operational inspections — and more.
Magnetic Particle Inspection
We have the very latest equipment for Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), which utilizes a wet continuous magnetic particle bench with full wave DC. One of our benches can extend to a 96” headshot of 5000 amperes of Circulation Magnetization and up to 25000 amperes on a 21” five-turn coil for Longitudinal Magnetization. This makes it very effective for large object such as helicopter masts.
Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection
We perform several key types of Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI), a procedure that applies a fluorescent dye to the surface of the material in order to detect defects that may compromise the integrity or quality of the part in question.
We perform the following types of FPI Methods:
Method A: Fluorescent Water -Washable Penetrant
Method B: Fluorescent Post -
Emulsifiable Lipophilic
Method C: Solvent Removable
Method D: Post-Emulsifiable Hydrophilic
Our bigger FPI tanks allow us to handle large objects that require full immersion for proper penetrant coverage.
Fire Services for the Aerospace Industry
Fire Truck Inspections
IIA is the go-to expert for top-to-bottom fire truck inspections, including hose, pump, ladder and other apparatus. Using our mobile pump tester and customized methodology, we conduct fast, thorough, and reliable services that meet or exceed NFPA guidelines. With our refined methods, we can test in one day what it takes others several days to complete — and that means less downtime for your emergency vehicles.
Our trained and certified Emergency Vehicle Technicians (EVT) have years of experience in actual fire situations. That firsthand experience allows them to quickly pinpoint problems with ladders, hoses and pumps and ensure safe fire ground operations. Our expert fire department services help protect firefighters and could potentially save your department money.
Aerial & Ground Ladder Testing
As an ISO/IEC 17020 Accredited Corporation, IIA offers a complete inspection and non-destructive testing program to meet the current NFPA 1911, as well as 1932-2020, guidelines for testing aerial ladders, elevating platforms, water towers, and ground ladders. We test metal, fiberglass, and even wood ground ladders between 5 and 45 feet in length. These tests include visual inspections, horizontal bend test, roof hook test, and hardware test.
Our highly trained staff works with ground ladder manufacturers to gain a full understanding of the operational qualities of all types of ladders. We work quickly, efficiently and professionally to help ensure firefighters are using certified equipment in the field. Read more about our Aerial & Ground Ladder Testing.
Fire Pump Testing
Our state-of-the-art mobile pump testing units allow us to accurately test fire department apparatus on location with minimal downtime, and limited use of municipal water, water tankers, or cisterns. We use clean, cool water to test your pumps, which minimizes potential damage. Read about the types of fire pump testing we do.
Each test is supervised by a certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) who adheres to all EVT and strict NFPA standards. All pump testing is immediately recorded electronically in our Safety Testing Database, which keeps track of your current and prior year service testing details.
Fire Hose Testing
Professional, timely service has made IIA the premier provider of fire hose testing in the United States. Our proprietary testing equipment allows us to test more feet of hose, under varying levels of pressure, faster and more accurately than any other company. Our crew supervisors and highly trained staff ensure that each hose length is both pressure tested and visually inspected. (And we guarantee that you'll love the way everything looks when we leave.) Read about the strict process we follow, and ask about our hard suction hose testing service!
IIA labels and records all data for each length of hose we test, in accordance with NFPA standards. We also maintain a computerized history of your fire company's hose for every year we service them.
Why IIA?
In 2018, Kova Engineering (acquired by IIA in 2024) acquired Servo Aerospace and continued a 20 plus year legacy in Aerospace NDT. Operating under the Transport Canada Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organization (AMO) 84-18, Kova has become one of the most recognized Aerospace NDT shops in Western Canada.
Additional resources
Certifications and Accreditations
- A2LA Chemical Testing
- A2LA Mechanical Testing
- ANSI A92.2 -1969: Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms
- ASNT Certified Level II & III
- Cal-OSHA Certified
- Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) Certified
- FAR Part 145 Certification – Repair Station
- Federal Firearms License (FFL)
- Federal OSHA Certified
- ISO/IEC 17020 Accredited
- ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 Accredited
- ISO/IEC 17065: 2012 Accredited
- ITAR Registered
- Level III NDT Certified
- NADCAP Accredited
- NADCAP Quality System (AC 7004)
- NADCAP Non-Destructive Testing
- NADCAP Material Testing Laboratory
- NFPA
- Transport Canada Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organization (AMO) 84-18
- Washington State Construction Crane Certified
We can issue your approvals for USA, CANADA and EU Scopes
Our facilities meet a variety of MIL-SPEC, ANSI, ASTM, and ASME Specifications