The Future of Drones in Aviation & Their Integration with Aviation MRO Software

Drones are no longer exclusive to the miliary or hobbyists; they’ve been making their way into numerous industries for some time, as they increase efficiency on many fronts. In fact, the global drone market is forecast to be worth USD 4.68 billion by 2028 and in the US, there are currently over three million commercial drone registrations. 

Drones have several key applications in the aviation industry, including maintenance inspections and cargo delivery, their use enhancing efficiency and worker safety.

We’ll review some of their key applications in this article, as well as the potential of drones when integrated with aviation MRO software, and some developments we may see in future.

How Are Drones Used for Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection?

Traditionally, aircraft inspections require extensive manual work, but drones offer a more efficient and safer alternative.

How Do Drones Increase Aircraft Maintenance Safety?

Drones can perform inspections in hazardous environments, such as during adverse weather conditions, reducing the risk to human technicians. Even under normal circumstances, maintenance staff face other risks such as electrocution or falling from a height. As such, drones vastly lower the risk of injuries associated with these factors.

Reducing Downtime

Also, manual inspections require significant preparation, with time spent setting up equipment and scaffolding, while drones can assess large areas in much shorter time frames, helping reduce downtime.

Enhanced Inspection Capabilities

Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors can conduct detailed inspections of an aircraft’s exterior. They can easily access hard-to-reach areas such as the top of the fuselage and the tail, capturing high-quality images and data for analysis.

AI is necessary for drones to inspect equipment autonomously – as opposed to simply gathering data. The form of AI known as computer vision enables drones to interpret visual information, identify potential issues, and even make preliminary diagnoses. AI is also necessary for preventing collisions with aircraft and other obstacles. Below are some more examples of how drones enhance aircraft maintenance.

Visual Inspection

High-definition cameras enable drones to capture detailed images of the aircraft’s surface. These images can be analysed using AI to detect surface defects such as paint peeling, sealant degradation, or cracks. The high-resolution imagery provides a clear view of the aircraft’s exterior, ensuring that even small issues are identified and addressed promptly.

In fact, Jet Aviation recently received approval from the Swiss Civil Aviation Authority to use automated General Visual Inspections (GVIs) for regulated inspections.

Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging sensors can assess engines and other components by detecting variations in heat signatures. Overheating components often appear as hot spots in thermal images, indicating potential issues like friction, insulation problems, or electrical faults. This capability allows maintenance teams to address problems before they lead to significant failures or safety hazards.

Gas Sensors

Drones equipped with gas sensors can detect leaks in fuel and hydraulic systems by sensing specific gases or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These sensors can identify the presence of hazardous gases at very low concentrations, ensuring the early detection of leaks that might otherwise go unnoticed (along with the exact location of leaks).

Light Detection and Ranging

Light detection and ranging – or LiDAR technology – is used for creating detailed 3D maps of aircraft structures. LiDAR sensors emit laser pulses and measure the time it takes for them to return, which generates precise topographical data. This information can reveal structural damage such as deformations, misalignments, or surface irregularities, which might not be visible to the naked eye.

Ultrasonic Testing

Drones equipped with ultrasonic sensors can perform non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect internal flaws in materials. They can send ultrasonic waves through a component and analyse the returning echoes, which helps identify issues like cracks within the aircraft’s structure.

Corrosion Detection

Specialised sensors can detect early signs of corrosion by measuring electrical resistance or identifying specific chemical signatures associated with corrosion processes. This method is typically carried out using traditional equipment but perhaps drones will have this capability in future.

Since they can scan large surface areas quickly, this would provide a comprehensive assessment of the aircraft’s condition and highlight areas that require further investigation or preventive maintenance.

Can Drones Integrate with Aircraft MRO Software?

Once drones have collected inspection data, it can be transmitted to a central database or directly to the aviation maintenance software. This allows for real-time analysis and reporting, enabling maintenance teams to identify issues quickly and accurately. Advanced aviation MRO software can also analyse drone data as part of a predictive maintenance strategy.

Inspecting Ground Equipment and Structures

Beyond the maintenance of aircraft themselves, drones can inspect airport infrastructure such as runways, taxiways, terminal buildings, and hangars. They can also inspect ground support equipment such as fuel trucks, baggage carts, and aircraft tugs, ensuring that assets remain in good working condition.

Drones can be equipped with accelerometers and other vibration sensors, which is important for monitoring structures and the condition of rotating components. Vibration analysis in aircraft is typically carried out using other equipment.

Cargo Delivery

Drones are also set to transform cargo delivery and logistics within the industry. Their ability to transport goods quickly and efficiently makes them ideal for time-sensitive deliveries and by transporting cargo directly from one location to another, they bypass traditional logistical bottlenecks.

How Do Drones Improve Sustainability in Aviation?

Since drones are powered by electricity, they reduce the environmental impact of cargo delivery, helping airlines and MRO providers engage in more sustainable aviation practices.

How Do Drones Improve Airport Security and Surveillance?

Drones have great potential when it comes to security, with their real-time aerial footage enhancing monitoring operations. With advanced cameras and sensors, they can monitor airport facilities, runways, and perimeters, enhancing situational awareness and supporting prompt responses.

As drones can cover larger areas more efficiently than manned security patrols, they may also lower operating costs. This efficiency allows for more comprehensive surveillance with fewer resources, enabling continuous monitoring and rapid response to potential threats.

Wildlife Monitoring

Drones can monitor wildlife activity around airport runways, crucial for preventing bird strikes and other wildlife-related incidents. Thanks to thermal imaging and motion detection, drones can identify the presence of animals and alert ground crews to take necessary actions to ensure safety.

Video Analytics

Some of the more advanced security cameras these days have video analytics capabilities. If fitted to a drone, these cameras can analyse footage in real time to detect suspicious activities, unauthorised access, and potential security breaches.

For example, algorithms can identify and track moving objects, recognise patterns, and differentiate between normal and abnormal activities, providing security teams with actionable insights.

Emergency Response and Disaster Management

In case of an incident, drones can transmit real-time data to emergency responders. This allows for more informed decision-making and faster response times, potentially saving lives and minimising damage.

The Future of Drones in Aviation

Below are some possible developments we may see in future – some far more likely than others.

Advanced AI and Automation

Advanced AI technologies will enhance the capabilities of drones, allowing them to perform more complex tasks, such as autonomous inspections and real-time decision-making. Perhaps in the future, automated drone fleets will perform routine inspections, cargo deliveries, and surveillance operations with minimal human intervention.

So-called swarm technology actually enables drones to work together collectively. This technology is still maturing but perhaps one day, it will prove useful in aviation. 

More effective collision detection will help drones safely navigate more complex urban environments, supporting any applications in such environments. Also, more advanced video analytics will enhance security measures.

Passenger Drones

Will the trend of autonomous vehicles apply to aviation at some point? This is unlikely to happen for a long time, but there’s a chance that larger drones could be used to transport passengers one day.

They would most likely be used for short flights, which would reduce road congestion in urban areas and provide new transport options in areas with limited infrastructure. In the beginning, they would likely be manned by aircraft operators before later becoming autonomous.

Aerial Refuelling

The Airbus Defence and Space business unit is developing technologies for aerial refuelling. This technique would primarily be used for other unmanned military aircraft but perhaps in future, it may make its way into the commercial aviation sector. The coordination among the aircraft and drones is one of the main challenges here.

Conclusion

In summary, the future of drones in aviation is promising, with applications in maintenance inspections, cargo delivery and surveillance.

In terms of maintenance, drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, LiDAR, and gas sensors can perform detailed inspections, identify potential issues, and ensure timely maintenance.

The data collected can be passed to aviation MRO software, streamlining operations and enabling real-time analysis and predictive maintenance. Drones also inspect airport infrastructure and ground support equipment, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

When it comes to cargo, drones are an efficient and sustainable solution for transporting parts and other items. As for security, they expand the scope of monitoring, able to easily survey large areas from above, detect suspicious activity, and detect the presence of wildlife near runways.

Looking ahead, advanced AI and automation will further expand drone capabilities, enabling autonomous inspections and more comprehensive security solutions. Other developments further ahead could include passenger drones for urban and suburban transport.

To learn more about OASES MRO software – or to request a demo – contact us today.