Aircraft Inspection Imagery Collected by UAV for Analysis and Comparison

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Aircraft inspections are essential to the reliable performance of flights. A team of experienced technicians performs inspections. To observe the upper portions of the exterior of an aircraft, technicians must use a series of harnesses, ladders, lifts, and supporting safety equipment in a time consuming process. There is an opportunity to capture highly detailed aircraft structural data while reducing the amount of time required to inspect the upper portions of the exterior of an aircraft with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), also known as a drone, equipped with a camera. Mohawk College and KF Aerospace will collaborate to develop, pilot, and prototype this process to produce 3D imagery for inspection. The UAV flights will require a disciplined research approach to address the challenge of flying a UAV in an aircraft hangar. After the Mohawk team ensures a reliable GPS signal for UAV flight in the hangar, the Mohawk team will fly the UAV to collect imagery of the aircraft. With that data, Mohawk will create a 3D image of the upper portion of the aircraft. KF Aerospace and Mohawk will review the images for quality compared to a conventional inspection, and in parallel with technician observations for validation and adjustments of the process. The project's results will save time, and improve technician safety, while providing an opportunity for future collaborations to gather additional information regarding next steps for repair and maintenance needs. The imagery will also create excellent aircraft maintenance files for record keeping, insurance, and chain of custody uses. This project will provide an innovative solution for KF Aerospace and improve overall safety of Canadian aircraft maintenance technicians and the inspection outcomes. The Canadian Aerospace Industry Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry represented approximately $8 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017, and from 2012-2017 MRO increase by more than 25% (ISEDC, 2018). The project results will benefit Canada by providing a safer inspection process and more secure planes following inspections and maintenance.