AkzoNobel has introduced a second drone-based inspection tool -– the Iris CMX – which is capable of directly measuring aircraft coating performance using a targeted three-in-one contact-based sensor. The two drones can be operated simultaneously, one on each side of the aircraft and can complete a full inspection of a narrowbody aircraft in about 30 minutes.
The existing Iris GVI drone flies in a set grid over a plane’s surface and provides a full-surface visual analysis by taking up to 600 high-definition photos. The coatings management software then analyses the images to flag any issues or wear of the coatings.
The new Iris CMX, developed in partnership with Donecle, captures precise, quantitative data for dry film thickness, colour data and gloss measurements bringing a new level of accuracy, consistency and repeatability to coating inspections.
Employing an advanced two-drone system further boosts the ability to precisely determine when an aircraft needs to be repainted, rather than simply using time or flight hours.
“Aerofleet Coatings Management has always been about giving airlines greater confidence in when and why they maintain or repaint their aircraft,” explains Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business.
“The addition of the Iris CMX brings precise, consistent measurement into the process to strengthen the data that underpins our predictive models. It also allows us to support expert assessment with more objective, consistent and repeatable inspections, while improving the speed and efficiency of the inspection process.”
With the addition of Iris CMX, AkzoNobel says the Aerofleet system now brings together three core data inputs to provide a comprehensive view of coating performance:
- Flight and environmental data, such as route profiles, UV exposure and humidity
- Full-surface visual analysis from the Iris GVI drone
- Targeted, high-precision measurement from the Iris CMX drone
The two drones can be operated simultaneously, one on each side of the aircraft, by a trained team, who can complete a full inspection of a narrowbody aircraft in approximately 30 minutes.
Ideally suited for fleets of 100 aircraft or more, the service supports airlines in reducing unnecessary repainting, lowering maintenance costs and increasing aircraft availability.
Over time, this contributes to both improved operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
