Aerospace NDT Services

Tucked within Geneva’s luxury aviation hub, where private jets arrive for elite servicing and precision maintenance, Aerospace NDT Services has quietly become a powerhouse in aircraft safety and inspection.

Founded in 2012 by Gilbert Burget—a veteran with 45 years in the aviation industry—and Anabelle Vuagnat, Aerospace NDT Services reflects its founder’s values. Being a highly qualified NDT inspector, Gilbert brings discipline, innovation, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence as a primary forte while Anabelle oversees the company’s administrative and operational management. She ensures the smooth running of day-to-day operations, managing the financial and human resources that support its projects and overall development.

Now, as Gilbert passes the torch to his son Jonathan, the company enters a new chapter. Yet even amid this generational transition, its mission remains unchanged: to ensure the structural integrity of some of the world’s most advanced and luxurious aircraft through world-class non-destructive testing (NDT).

Commitment to Follow Manufacturers’ Procedures

Gilbert’s journey began decades ago with Jet Aviation Basel, a General Dynamics company, where he spent 32 years honing his craft in private aircraft maintenance.

“I created Aerospace NDT Services in Geneva 14 years ago to focus specifically on private jets and the unique inspection needs that come with them,” Burget shares.

This focused expertise has become the company’s distinguishing edge. Aerospace NDT Services is not a sprawling enterprise chasing volume. It’s a specialized firm operating with surgical precision, delivering ultrasonic, eddy current, penetrant, and magnetic particle inspections for a clientele that expects—and demands—perfection. The company is especially active in the private aviation sector, servicing aircraft from Dassault, Gulfstream, and Bombardier. Although based in Geneva, its team frequently travels worldwide to conduct on-site inspections at maintenance bases or AOG (Aircraft on Ground) scenarios, offering the mobility that matches the global scope of its clients.

At the core of Aerospace NDT Services’ methodology is a commitment to follow manufacturers’ procedures. Whether it’s Boeing, Bombardier, or Dassault Aviation, Aerospace NDT Services strictly adheres to the protocols outlined in aircraft maintenance manuals (AMMs) and structural repair manuals (SRMs).

“We never deviate from established procedures,” Burget notes. “Each inspection is methodical, calibrated, and traceable.”

Offering the Full Spectrum of NDT

Three core testing methods drive the company’s day-to-day operations—ultrasonic testing (UT), eddy current testing (ET), and penetrant testing (PT).

While UT technique involves sending high-frequency sound waves through aircraft components to detect cracks or corrosion below the surface, ET can detect surface and near-surface flaws in conductive materials by generating electromagnetic fields. This method is particularly useful for inspecting areas such as rivet holes and metal joints, and is widely used for detecting fatigue cracks.

When it comes to the PT process, a fluorescent liquid is applied to the surface of a part. After a dwell period and careful cleaning, the surface is examined under UV light for indications of cracks. This method is especially effective for detecting flaws in the exterior of aircraft parts.

In addition, Aerospace NDT Services occasionally performs magnetic particle inspection (MPI), especially for steel components like nose landing gear axles or high-load bolts. While this constitutes a smaller portion of their service portfolio, it is yet another testament to their comprehensive capabilities.

Efficient, Cost-Effective, Safe

A standout moment in the company’s history came when Dassault Aviation, one of their primary clients, approached them with a critical challenge. Corrosion had been discovered in the fuel tanks of several aircraft models, and the manufacturer needed a non-invasive method to inspect these tanks without dismantling them. Aerospace NDT Services responded with the kind of ingenuity and diligence that has come to define them.

It developed a new ultrasonic inspection process using a phased array system capable of scanning the underside of the fuel tank to detect early-stage corrosion. To ensure the method’s reliability, the team designed and fabricated customized calibration blocks and fine-tuned their probe settings for optimal accuracy. This process, once validated by Dassault, has since been deployed across multiple aircraft, providing buyers with peace of mind during pre-purchase inspections and helping operators extend the lifespan of their fleets.

Burget Reflects on this breakthrough, “It’s not just about finding problems. It’s about creating solutions that are efficient, cost-effective, and above all, safe.”

Trusted Go-to Partner

Training is another critical component of Aerospace NDT Services’ success. Gilbert himself is an authorized trainer for inspections across the entire Falcon family—from the early Falcon 10 and 20 models to the cutting-edge 7X and 8X series. This deep knowledge passed down through practical, hands-on experience, is now being transferred to Jonathan, who is poised to lead the company into the future with the same technical precision and client-first approach.

The company’s client roster spans the globe. While Dassault Aviation remains a key partner, Aerospace NDT Services has also worked with charter airlines and government aircraft from the Middle East, as well as commercial operators such as EasyJet. In most cases, the company is subcontracted by major maintenance organizations to deliver NDT inspections during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance windows. This flexibility has positioned them as a trusted go-to partner when time is tight and precision is non-negotiable.

It also invests heavily in the quality and upkeep of the equipment. State-of-the-art ultrasonic devices, eddy current systems, and UV inspection gear are maintained to the highest standards, ensuring reliable results in every inspection. Each job concludes with a detailed inspection report, which includes graphical data and a full evaluation summary, sent to both the client and the aircraft’s manufacturer for documentation and follow-up.

Doing the Job Right the First Time

Despite its modest size, Aerospace NDT Services has built a reputation that spans continents. Its growth has been organic, fueled not by flashy marketing but by word-of-mouth among engineers, OEMs, and maintenance directors who recognize the value of precision, discretion, and consistency.

As Gilbert prepares to pass the baton to Jonathan, the future of Aerospace NDT Services appears in capable hands. The younger Burget brings with him not only a deep respect for the legacy his father built but also a vision for technological adaptation and expanded global outreach. He plans to enhance the firm’s capabilities in digital reporting, expand training offerings, and explore emerging technologies like AI-assisted flaw detection. Yet even as the company evolves, its foundation remains unchanged.

“We’ve never been about volume,” Burget says. “We’re about quality, integrity, and doing the job right the first time.”

gilbert.burget@aerospacendtservices.com