Element Engaged Expert Leads Aerospace Regulatory Advances

LONDON, UK – December 9, 2015 – Element Materials Technology is leading development in Aerospace sector testing to deliver efficiencies for pre-qualification (R&D phase) and product qualification for manufacturers and their supply chain partners. 

The new, alternate method in flammability testing is designed for avionics equipment, specifically enclosures housing electronics and non-metallic materials installed in both pressurized and non-pressurized zones of an aircraft. Led by Engaged Expert Alan Thompson and his team at Element Minneapolis, the new testing method will allow manufacturers and testing partners to satisfy US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and RTCA regulations. 

Rick Sluiters, Element’s Executive Vice President, Aerospace, comments: “Element is continually focused on delivering advances in the Aerospace industry through technical excellence. Alan Thompson’s role as a key member of industry regulatory organizations means he has a pivotal part to play in the future of the Aerospace industry. We are delighted that he is working in collaboration with industry Primes, OEMs and their supply chain partners to deliver the next generation of testing standards that are safe and commercially viable.” 

Through the newly developed testing method, electronic box manufacturers will be provided with greater clarity and efficiency than current methods deliver, while meeting the highest rates of compliance. At present, each component within an electronic box must be tested individually to meet regulatory requirements, whereas the industry-leading test developed by Alan and his team would see the box tested as a whole as it would be installed within the aircraft. 

This development comes with the new advances Alan is leading across the Aerospace industry alongside his team at Element Minneapolis, in particular his work with the FAA, RTCA and Aerospace manufacturers, including Primes and their supply chain partners. 

Alan is a member of RTCA’s (special committee) SC135, contributing to the formation of the RTCA/DO160, a key Aerospace testing standard for avionics products. The new testing method is intended to be included in the next revision of RTCA/DO160, scheduled for publication in 2019. His role at RTCA also requires he act as a liaison with his counterparts in the FAA Materials Fire Testing Working Group and has seen him succeed in encouraging collaboration between the two organizations, as well as with industry-leading manufacturers. 

About Element

Element is a company with a global presence; its laboratories are staffed by experts specializing in materials testing, product qualification testing and failure analysis for the Aerospace, Oil & Gas and Transportation and Industrials sectors. Element’s team of more than 1,800 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 53 laboratories located throughout the U.S. and Europe. For a complete list of Accreditations & Approvals and more information, please visit www.element.com.