During his 45 years working in nondestructive testing (NDT), Culbertson has held progressing roles at Northrop Grumman, Conam Inspection, Cooperheat/MQS, VMI, and Stork Materials Test & Inspection. Established in 2011, QNDT Services, his consulting firm, provides Level 3 services globally and has expanded through strategic acquisitions (NDT Solutions & EC/NDT), offering engineering solutions and comprehensive eddy current products.
Culbertson has been instrumental in developing aerospace and industrial inspection programs, contributing to initiatives like the Composite Structure Training Program. Certified as an ASNT NDT Level III in multiple methods, he actively contributes to ASTM E7 committee and NADCAP and has held certificates from the Navy Nuclear Program and the American Welding Society. Larry was presented with his Tech Fellow from ASNT in 2024 and is an active Director on their Board.
Presentation Overview
Larry will share the story of NDT Solutions’ (NDTS) five-year training partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, supporting the readiness and safety of the Coast Guard’s aviation fleet.
Under the program, NDTS conducts two intensive, three-week Nondestructive Testing (NDT) training courses each year for Coast Guard aviation personnel. In partnership with NORDAM, the courses are hosted at its Tulsa, Oklahoma facilities, providing students with the unique opportunity to train within an active aerospace repair environment and gain meaningful hands-on inspection experience.
The program provides foundational training in Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) and Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) in accordance with TO 33B-1-1. Upon completion, students leave with a strong understanding of the principles of each NDT method, practical inspection experience and—most importantly—an understanding of how NDT directly contributes to aircraft readiness, reliability and flight safety.