A method for testing a structure using laser ultrasound, the method comprising: identifying a three-dimensional position of a surface of the structure relative to a reference frame; transmitting laser light from an output of a transmitter onto the surface of the structure to form ultrasonic waves in the structure and to detect a response to the ultrasonic waves; wherein: each one of a plurality of points on the surface has a corresponding three-dimensional position relative to the reference frame; the three-dimensional position comprises an XYZ-coordinate in the reference frame; and a Z-coordinate of one of the plurality of points on the surface is different than a Z-coordinate of another one of the plurality of points on the surface; forming the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, into a pattern on the surface of the structure; positioning the pattern on the surface so that a difference value of Z-coordinates of any two of the plurality of points on the surface, which are located inclusively within the pattern of the laser light, is less than or equal to a threshold value based on the three-dimensional position of the surface, moving the laser light over the structure along a scan path so that the output of the transmitter is located at a constant offset distance from the surface and that the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, is directed onto the surface at a constant angle of projection; and based on the response to the ultrasonic waves, determining whether an inconsistency is present in the structure. identifying a three-dimensional position of a surface of the structure relative to a reference frame; transmitting laser light from an output of a transmitter onto the surface of the structure to form ultrasonic waves in the structure and to detect a response to the ultrasonic waves; wherein: each one of a plurality of points on the surface has a corresponding three-dimensional position relative to the reference frame; the three-dimensional position comprises an XYZ-coordinate in the reference frame; and a Z-coordinate of one of the plurality of points on the surface is different than a Z-coordinate of another one of the plurality of points on the surface; forming the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, into a pattern on the surface of the structure; positioning the pattern on the surface so that a difference value of Z-coordinates of any two of the plurality of points on the surface, which are located inclusively within the pattern of the laser light, is less than or equal to a threshold value based on the three-dimensional position of the surface, moving the laser light over the structure along a scan path so that the output of the transmitter is located at a constant offset distance from the surface and that the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, is directed onto the surface at a constant angle of projection; and based on the response to the ultrasonic waves, determining whether an inconsistency is present in the structure. each one of a plurality of points on the surface has a corresponding three-dimensional position relative to the reference frame; the three-dimensional position comprises an XYZ-coordinate in the reference frame; and a Z-coordinate of one of the plurality of points on the surface is different than a Z-coordinate of another one of the plurality of points on the surface; forming the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, into a pattern on the surface of the structure; positioning the pattern on the surface so that a difference value of Z-coordinates of any two of the plurality of points on the surface, which are located inclusively within the pattern of the laser light, is less than or equal to a threshold value based on the three-dimensional position of the surface, moving the laser light over the structure along a scan path so that the output of the transmitter is located at a constant offset distance from the surface and that the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, is directed onto the surface at a constant angle of projection; and based on the response to the ultrasonic waves, determining whether an inconsistency is present in the structure.