Japan Airlines tests autonomous drones for aircraft inspections

Japan Airlines (JAL) and French drone manufacturer Donecle have begun verifying the use of fully autonomous drones for aircraft exterior inspections. This marks the first time in Japan that drones approved by aircraft manufacturer maintenance manuals for autonomous flight are being utilized for such testing.

The verification process is currently taking place within JAL hangars at Haneda Airport, where high-resolution images captured by the drones are being compared against traditional manual visual inspections. The goal is to establish a method where drones capture the exterior images and mechanics perform the final inspection using these high-precision visuals.

By using the Iris GVI drone, which features obstacle detection to prevent contact with aircraft, the companies aim to replace high-altitude manual labor. This transition is expected to significantly reduce maintenance time, improve worker safety, and allow staff to focus more on predictive maintenance. Future applications may include rapid lightning strike inspections to minimize flight delays and regular monitoring of aircraft paint conditions, in coordination with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.