Drones Revolutionize Aircraft Inspections at Schiphol Airport

At Schiphol East, a new partnership between KLM, Mainblades Inspections, and Dutch Drone Delta is transforming aircraft maintenance using advanced Drone Technology. Normally, inspections are conducted inside a hangar, but now they can also be performed outside, thanks to the innovative use of smart drones. This development promises to enhance efficiency and safety in aircraft inspections.

Streamlining Aircraft Inspections

The collaboration between KLM and Mainblades Inspections is at the forefront of this technological leap. Mark Terheggen, co-founder of Mainblades, explains that these drones are equipped with precise navigation software, allowing them to maneuver around aircraft and conduct meticulous inspections.

“We provide automatic aircraft inspections using a drone that we have made smart,” Terheggen says. This innovation significantly reduces the need for manual inspections, which are time-consuming and more prone to human error.

Overcoming Regulatory Hurdles

Running a drone operation at an airport is no small feat. Serdar Çifoglu, KLM’s Program Manager for Innovations, highlights the regulatory complexities involved.

“You don’t just fly a drone at the airport; you need permission from Schiphol, LVNL (as air traffic controller), and also from other authorities active at the airport,” Toby Enzerink, project manager at Dutch Drone Delta explains..

Despite these challenges, the collaboration has successfully navigated these hurdles, enabling drone inspections to be conducted closer to the gate where the aircraft arrives.

Enhancing Efficiency and Safety

Terheggen emphasizes the efficiency gains from this initiative. Traditionally, unscheduled inspections required aircraft to be towed into a hangar. Now, inspections can be performed at the gate.

“This way, a damage report can be made for the user, who can then decide whether repairs are necessary,” Terheggen notes.

This not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of damage during towing. Terheggen explains that they added a small piece of hardware to the DJI Matrice drone with AI-enabled software. This allows the drone to perform automatic inspections of the aircraft. The photos taken by the drone are then used in a damage report for the user.

The integration of smart drones into aircraft inspections at Schiphol Airport marks a significant step forward in aviation maintenance. By enabling faster, safer, and more accurate inspections, this technology is setting new standards for the industry. As drones become more integral to these operations, the benefits to efficiency and safety will only grow.

DroneXL’s Take

This breakthrough in using drones for aircraft inspections highlights the growing importance of drone technology in various industries. The successful collaboration at Schiphol Airport showcases the potential for drones to revolutionize maintenance procedures, reducing downtime and enhancing safety. For more insights into the impact of drones on different sectors, check out our recent articles on drone technology in industrial inspections.

Photos courtesy of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Mainblades , LVNL, Dutch Drone Delta, and AirHub.