fuselage leak detectionmethods

[thomas_b]

Anyone familiar with advanced methods for detecting (pressurization)leaks in the Herk's fuselage?

Are there any efficient applications using a thermal camera or a smoke machine?

Thanks in advance

[bonzo]

Thomas,

I have not seen anything more advanced than how we do it and that is run cabin pressure and do the hand/feel method.

Some people like to use plastic shopping bags on a stick to find leaks in hard to reach areas.

Sometimes if you have a big leak like on doors etc you can put surgical gloves in it from the inside to see where the leak is and it will be blown out.

I really dont wanna be in a smoke filled aircraft to find out where the leaks are. Thermal imaging would be nice since bleed air is hot?

What you could use is snoopy/ leak detection solution and spray the airplane and you will see bubbles. We did this once and it was a nightmare almost every rivet was leaking!!!! But then i think it was a 64FY so not too smart to try that on a old plane if you have a new airplane that should work.

Most leaks we find are around the cargo door and ramp, crewdoor, main landinggear area near the shelfbrackets. The other leaks you might find is in the arm pit area.

Good luck

Bonzo

[herkfixer]

I would agree with Bonzo on the areas to check those are usually where the larger leaks occur.

Also make sure and check in the tail, specifically where the elevator and rudder "push-pull" rods are.

The boots often are torn and leaking! Access it from under the tail, have someone on a B-5 stand to check them.

Let us know what you find.

73, Rex

[james]

It has been many years since I worked on a C-130, however, I remember on many occasions replacing the cargo heat exchanger (not my favorite task) for pressurization problems.