Fiber optic test in the life cycle of commercial aircraft

Over the last decade commercial passenger and freighter aircraft have experienced a steady increase in the use of fiber optics. Accompanying this growth is the gradual industry-level recognition of fiber optics' impact to life cycle costs. Fiber's advantage in aviation applications is evident (size, weight, power and electromagnetic immunity) whereas the added infrastructure required for fabrication, testing and maintenance is not as apparent. Production rates for commercial aircraft demand fiber testing is comprehensive at all stages of the process, and that failure identification and restoration is highly efficient (Figure 1). With the steady proliferation of new optical systems on commercial aircraft, so arises new opportunities for reducing life cycle costs and complexity for the end user.