Model A8-AF: Radome Moisture Meter

Note: Finna Sensors is the OEM of the A8-AF and the only licensed company for calibration services.

Aircraft radome integrity is critical to the performance of today’s sophisticated radar transmissions. Moisture that collects in the honeycomb cells cause damage that degrades radar operation. The A8-AF is a proven, reliable and simple handheld radome moisture meter used by aircraft maintenance facilities to detect this moisture. In fact, thousands of meters have been sold to hundreds of service centers throughout the world, including those that support the largest commercial airliners and military branches.

Option 115 VAC for North America, South America, Japan

Option 220 VAC for Australia, Europe and most of Asia

Key Features:

The Model A8-AF Radome Moisture Meter indicates the moisture pockets in aircraft radomes by measuring the radio frequency dielectric power loss of material in contact with the electrode sensor. The RF power loss absorption principle is a patented feature of all Finna Group products.

Direct reading, colored comparator scale for instantaneous indication of moisture

Spring-loaded electrode buttons allow nondestructive testing of irregular or curved surfaces

Comes with electrode, rechargeable batteries, battery charger, carrying case and operating instructions

Completely tested and approved by the United States Air Force

Finna Sensors is the OEM of the A8-AF and the only licensed company for calibration services.

A large proportion of repairs needed for aircraft radomes can be attributed to moisture ingression caused by issues such as static discharge or erosion. If not checked properly, water will begin to collect in the honeycomb cells and go through a freeze/thaw cycle. Through a repeated process of the ice expanding, delamination and core disintegration, damage is dealt to surrounding cells. The result of this can be the aircraft getting a false reading on storm cells on the radar scope or, inversely, the radar being misdirected and the pilot misses a storm in front of them. Approved by the U.S. Air Force and trusted by airlines globally, the A8-AF: Radome Moisture Meter is a proven, reliable way to detect these pockets of moisture.

 

The Model A8-AF radome moisture meter consists of two basic components: the electrode sensor and the metering unit. These components are connected by a 2’8″ cable attached with interchangeable push-in connectors. The separate electrode sensor permits testing in remote areas, and the simple operating procedures allow the Model A8-AF to be used by both technical and non-technical operators.

Equipped with a special direct reading, and a colored comparator scale calibrated for radomes, the Model A8-AF provides quantitative readings of Good, Fair, Poor, or Unacceptable radomes. The meter also has a low battery charge indication in the form of meter zero drift.

The Model A8-AF radome moisture meter is a direct replacement for the Model AFK2D which was the accepted instrument for many years in the aircraft industry for measuring moisture content of radomes.