In this paper analyses of non-contact elastic wave generation based on an air-coupled transducer (ACT) are presented. Authors compared contact piezoelectric based (PZT) wave generation, with non-contact one using ACT for a narrow frequency band excitation. Elastic wave sensing was based in both cases on a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. The problem of ACT slope angle for the effectiveness of elastic wave modes generation is analysed. It was shown that for an excitation frequency of 40 kHz it is possible to generate A0 wave mode both in the case of PZT and ACT. Both methods of wave generation are compared based on an analysis of damage localisation results. For this purpose wave irregularity mapping (WIM) algorithm was utilised together with two attenuation compensation methods (based on energy normalisation and weighting function). Specimens in the form of simple square GFRP panel and bonded GFRP aerospace structure with omega stiffeners were investigated. The authors investigated simulated damage (Teflon inserts) and real delamination. In this research very cheap and popular, low-frequency ACT was utilised giving the possibility of realisation of low-cost excitation method. ACTs connected with a laser vibrometry sensing allows of realisation of full non-contact damage localisation method. Authors presented also non typical but very useful application of SLDV allowing to visualise the effect of acoustic wave generation in the air and determination of the pattern of generated acoustic waves. This was based on the photo-acoustic effect.