During aircraft overhaul, which tool helps identify hot spots?

• A. Thermal imaging camera (TIC/FLIR) or visual signs like blistered paint for hot spots.
• B. A simple pocket thermometer.
• C. Visual inspection alone without tools.
• D. A standard gas detector.

Answer: (A)

Hot spots are best identified by sensing temperature across surfaces, not by a single point measurement. A thermal imaging camera (TIC/FLIR) creates a temperature map using infrared radiation, so you can quickly spot areas that run hotter than their surroundings and pinpoint potential overheating, even under insulation or coatings. Visual signs like blistered paint support this, but they’re reactive indicators and may lag behind current heat. In contrast, a pocket thermometer provides only one reading at a single spot and isn’t practical for surveying large aircraft areas. Visual inspection alone can miss hidden or developing hotspots, and a standard gas detector is designed for gases, not heat, so it won’t reveal thermal hotspots.