Following Jet Aviation’s partnership with Donecle, autonomous drones using AI software will be used to conduct aircraft inspections for the first time in business aviation.

While AI technology development has exploded in recent months, with its reach now extending into the aviation maintenance industry. Jeremie Caillet, Jet Aviation’s senior vice president of regional operations EMEA, spoke with the Aviation Week Network about how the new technology is implemented on the flightline.

“The agreement allows us to introduce drone inspections in maintenance services, using AI and advanced image analysis algorithms to enable fast and accurate aircraft inspections and automated defect detection,” Caillet says.

The system includes a laptop computer, an autonomous drone and Donecle’s proprietary AI machine learning software. The operator selects the aircraft type and places the drone in a preselected area as prescribed by the software. Then, the drone flies a preset path to take high-resolution images of the entire aircraft.

The photos are then transferred to the laptop and run through Donecle’s AI to identify discrepancies, which are then reviewed and confirmed by the operator. According to Jet Aviation, with each use of the system, the AI trains itself to become increasingly accurate.

The system is capable of an array of tasks, including regulatory marking, paint quality and hail damage inspections.

Drone inspections reduce operational hazards for maintenance personnel, Caillet says.

“In addition to providing an efficient and detailed inspection, using the drone also reduces the requirement for mechanics to work at height for extended period of time,” he says. “They are working with the drone on the ground instead and are bringing their expertise for analysis of the data the drone provides.”

The data created from each inspection can be saved and used to create a baseline status for the aircraft, which bolsters preventative maintenance.

“This data can also be accessed remotely if needed,” Caillet says. “Especially at remote stations, drone inspections can significantly expedite AOG cases: after a hail damage inspection for example, the customer can be provided with a status of the aircraft almost immediately.”

Caillet suggests AI drone technology could eventually be used for pre-purchase aircraft inspections.

“AI is developing at an exciting pace and has the potential to play a central role in increasing efficiency and effectiveness across a wide range of MRO procedures,” he says. “Wherever AI has the potential to benefit our customers now and in the future, we will expand and evolve its usage.”