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Introduction Many military/defense and commercial aerospace test cells still rely on aging analog instruments that, while functional, introduces risk through calibration challenges, legacy components, and lack of digital data access. As testing demands evolve, the industry is moving toward compact, digital platforms that simplify workflows and improve data usability. A Vitrek customer faced this challenge across multiple engine test cells. Their solution: replace two legacy systems with a single PBS eXpress R+, enabling faster setup, digital data acquisition, and automated reporting. The Challenge The customer’s test cells were built around a mix of aging instrumentation, including TrigTek tracking filters, [...]

Introduction Many aerospace test programs rely on charge-output piezoelectric accelerometers, force sensors, and dynamic pressure transducers because of their wide frequency response, rugged construction, and ability to capture rapidly changing events. These sensors generate extremely small electrical charge signals—often measured in picocoulombs (pC)—that are susceptible to cable capacitance effects, electrical noise, leakage currents, and environmental influences that can compromise measurement accuracy. Charge amplifiers address these challenges by converting the sensor’s high-impedance charge output into a stable, low impedance voltage signal suitable for transmission, recording, and analysis. By making measurements largely independent of cable capacitance while maintaining low noise, stable [...]

Introduction Modern aircraft engines are no longer dependent solely on discrete analog sensors for critical performance data. Increasingly, vibration amplitudes, phase information, and engine speed are transmitted digitally through aircraft data buses such as ARINC 429 and ARINC 664 Part 7 (AFDX). Yet in many MRO environments, balancing systems continue to rely on accelerometers and tachometer pickups—introducing additional setup time, cabling complexity, and potential variability in measurements. This disconnect between available digital data and traditional measurement approaches creates inefficiencies, particularly for facilities servicing multiple aircraft platforms. For organizations supporting a diverse fleet, the opportunity is clear: leverage the aircraft’s [...]

Introduction As the business and regional aviation sector continues its rapid growth, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers are struggling to keep up with demand. Portable engine-balancing technology allows maintenance teams—even less experienced staff—to perform precise vibration assessment and rapid, oneshot balancing onsite. Business Jet Fleet Growth Outpaces MRO Infrastructure The business aviation market has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with an increasing number of companies and private owners investing in small business jets for both personal and corporate travel. Increases in fractional ownership models and charter services are also helping drive growth. According to recent industry reports, [...]