Showing posts with label MRO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MRO. Show all posts

Open source flight paths

Here are some open-source software tools you can use to create and manage drone flight paths, especially for inspection tasks like aircraft checks:





✅ 1. 

Mission Planner



  • Platform: Windows
  • Best For: ArduPilot-based drones
  • Features:
  • Create waypoint missions on maps
  • Supports RTL (Return to Launch), Loiter, Circle, etc.
  • Live telemetry and log analysis

  • Link: https://ardupilot.org/planner/






✅ 2. 

QGroundControl



  • Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
  • Best For: PX4 and ArduPilot drones
  • Features:
  • Intuitive mission planning with 3D visualization
  • Geofencing and complex path logic
  • Supports camera triggering, survey grids, inspection orbits

  • Link: https://docs.qgroundcontrol.com






✅ 3. 

OpenDroneMap



  • Platform: Linux, Windows (via Docker)
  • Best For: Post-processing imagery into 3D models/orthophotos
  • Use With: Mission Planner or QGroundControl for flight
  • Link: https://www.opendronemap.org/






✅ 4. 

UAV Toolbox for MATLAB (Partial Open Source)








✅ 5. 

Dronecode SDK / MAVSDK



  • Platform: C++, Python, Swift
  • Best For: Developers creating custom apps for drones
  • Features:
  • Programmatic control of missions
  • Build custom flight behaviors

  • Link: https://mavsdk.mavlink.io/






✅ 6. 

WebODM (GUI for OpenDroneMap)



  • Platform: Web-based (Docker)
  • Best For: Mapping + Inspection analysis from captured images
  • Note: Not for flight planning, but great for processing results
  • Link: https://www.opendronemap.org/webodm/






Recommendations for Aircraft Inspection:



  • Plan flight path in QGroundControl or Mission Planner
  • Capture data using DJI or ArduPilot drone
  • Analyze results in OpenDroneMap/WebODM for 3D model + defect detection



From Blogger iPhone client

Single vs multi drone inspection

Drone Flight Path Planning & Imaging

1. Single and Multi-Drone Mission Planning

For programming a flight plan to capture detailed images of a large aircraft like the A350, the following software solutions stand out:

• DroneDeploy: Offers a robust flight planning system for mapping, 3D modeling, and inspections. You can set up detailed grid or facade missions, automate camera actions, and adjust altitude and overlaps for precision imagery capture. Multi-drone coordination and reporting features are included for larger teams.

• Dronelink: Lets you create highly customizable, automated missions with waypoint navigation, real-time 3D mission previews, and estimates for mission duration and data capture. Supports both single and multiple drones, including full mission management and flight logging.

• DJI FlightHub 2: Enterprise-grade fleet management for real-time coordination and mission management involving multiple drones and operators. Excellent for scaling up from one to five or ten drones, providing live operational data, route plans, and image/data synchronization.

• UgCS: Advanced mission planning features with terrain following, corridor mapping (for fuselage/wing imagery), multi-drone coordination, offline planning, and direct mission time estimation. Ideal for photogrammetry and detailed aircraft inspections.

• DroneDesk: Streamlines planning, compliance, fleet management, and integrates seamlessly with DJI drones. Efficient for both solo pilots and multi-drone operations.

2. Key Flight Planning Features

• Waypoint Navigation: Set exact GPS coordinates, altitude, and camera angles.

• Grid/Grid+Oblique Mapping: Capture images from multiple perspectives for dense photogrammetry.

• Automated Camera Actions: Configure intervals for image capture, gimbal angle, etc.

• Multi-Drone Coordination: Assign areas or tasks to each drone; synchronize missions in real-time.

• Preflight Simulation and Time Estimate: Most software (like Dronelink and UgCS) gives estimated flight time based on area, speed, and overlap settings before launch.

• Post-Mission Reporting: Data aggregation, image review, automated mapping/3D modeling.

3. Estimating Time for Missions

Flight time estimation depends on:

• Survey area (size of A350, image overlap required)

• Drone speed and altitude

• Number of drones and their battery endurance

Modern software allows you to preview estimated mission duration:

• Single drone: The entire task, such as photographing an A350, is mapped and timed in the software—typically requiring multiple flights if many images or overlaps are needed.

• Multiple drones (5 or 10): The total mission is split between drones. If linear/parallel division is possible, you roughly divide total mission time by the number of drones (e.g., 1/5 or 1/10 the time of a single-drone operation), provided all drones cover roughly equal zones and operate simultaneously. Most platforms automate this task assignment and provide a team-wide time estimate.

4. Example Workflow

1. Design flight path in DroneDeploy/Dronelink/UgCS using a 3D or facade mode for the A350 layout.

2. Input parameters—altitude, image overlap, specific zones (fuselage, wings, etc.), and required image resolution.

3. Preview and adjust—the software will estimate total duration, alert about battery limits, and allow for assigning “sub-missions” to multiple drones.

4. Deploy mission—run the flight(s), monitoring team coordination live in FlightHub 2 or similar.

5. Complete mission—aggregate images into maps, models, or inspection reports within the same platform.

5. Summary Table: Top Solutions


6. Final Advice

For your A350 imaging mission, select one of the above tools based on your specific drone brand and operational needs. All provide pre-planned, automated flight path creation, multi-drone management, and flight time estimation. Scaling from a single drone to five or ten is straightforward—divide the mission in software and let the system coordinate image coverage, safety, and timing for you.

From Blogger iPhone client

MRO inspection partners

Aircraft Drone Inspection: Companies, Software, and Devices

Modern aircraft inspection is increasingly supported by drone technology, offering faster, safer, and more precise evaluations of airframes, surfaces, engines, and associated structures. Here’s an overview of notable companies, key software, and device solutions leading this field.

Leading Drone Inspection Companies

• Donecle
Pioneers in fully automated drone-based aircraft inspection. Approved by aviation authorities and listed in both Boeing and Airbus Aircraft Maintenance Manuals. Their Iris platform provides rapid surface checks, defect detection, and integration with reporting software.

• Mainblades
Delivers automated drone solutions for visual inspections on various aircraft models. Mainblades combines inspection drones with high-resolution cameras and compliant automatic flight planning for hangar operations.

• Jet Aviation
Utilizes AI-driven drones to perform lightning strike checks, regulatory marking inspections, paint quality assessments, and generate automated reports. Their solutions provide real-time mapping and cloud-based data management for traceability.

• Airbus/Testia
Developed an advanced indoor inspection drone specifically for MROs and airlines. Features laser-based obstacle avoidance, autonomous flight paths, and smart image comparison against digital aircraft models, reducing inspection time dramatically.

• CURSIR
Specializes in drone-based flight inspections and navigation aid calibration (ILS, VOR, PAPI, and runway lights) for airports, offering precision, cost, and environmental benefits. Provides complete products—with hardware and analysis software—and training/support.

Notable Drone Inspection Software







Typical Devices and Technological Capabilities

• High-resolution imaging (visual and 3D scanning) for surface damage, paint quality, and structural analysis.

• Automated flight paths for full airframe coverage and aerial point comparison vs. digital twins.

• Laser-based obstacle sensing for safe navigation within maintenance hangars and near structures.

• Real-time AI analytics that spot dents as small as 1 mm² and can measure depth to 0.1 mm—critical for damage assessment.

• Integrated cloud data storage for traceability, historical analysis, and compliance management.

• Regulatory compliance with EASA, FAA, and OEM standards—seen in solutions by Donecle, Mainblades, and Jet Aviation.

Industry Applications

• General Visual Inspections (GVIs)

• Lightning and hail damage checks

• Dent and buckle detection

• Paint, marking, and cosmetic assessments

• Pre-purchase and insurance claim checks

• Calibration of navigational aids (ILS, VOR)

• Predictive maintenance tasks

Conclusion

Aircraft drone inspection combines automated flight hardware, advanced real-time analytics, and regulatory-compliant reporting. Leaders like Donecle, Mainblades, Jet Aviation, Airbus/Testia, and CURSIR offer full-spectrum solutions with specialized aircraft software and devices, streamlining maintenance, improving safety, and minimizing downtime for airlines and MROs.


From Blogger iPhone client

MRO inspection

Using a DJI NEO drone (assuming you meant DJI’s commercial drone platform such as the DJI Matrice 300 RTK with Zenmuse H20T/H20N payloads or similar) for a C-check inspection of an aircraft’s exterior is a viable and increasingly common method in aviation MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). Here’s how you can use it effectively:





✅ Objective:



Capture high-resolution, detailed images and video of the airplane’s external surfaces for inspection as part of the C-check (a comprehensive maintenance check done every ~20–24 months).





🔧 Pre-Flight Setup



  1. Permissions & Regulations
  3. Obtain clearance from airport authorities and aviation regulatory bodies (e.g., FAA, EASA, QCAA).
  4. Ensure you comply with drone flight regulations in airside areas.

  6. Drone Selection & Payload
  8. Use a DJI Matrice 300 RTK or similar industrial drone.
  9. Equip with a Zenmuse H20T (visual + thermal camera) or P1 camera for high-res photogrammetry.

  11. Flight Plan Configuration
  13. Use DJI Pilot or DJI Terra to define waypoints around the aircraft.
  14. Set altitude, overlap (70–80%), gimbal angle, and auto-capture intervals.
  15. Plan flights to cover:
  17. Fuselage
  18. Wings & flaps
  19. Empennage (tail)
  20. Landing gear
  21. Underside (with low-angle gimbal tilt)







🛫 Execution Steps



  1. Pre-flight Aircraft Prep
  3. Ensure aircraft is parked in a safe zone (hangar or ramp).
  4. Remove covers and unlock access panels if needed.
  5. Conduct visual inspection manually to guide drone areas of focus.

  7. Drone Launch and Navigation
  9. Perform full pre-flight checks (firmware, battery, GPS).
  10. Launch drone and follow the programmed flight path, or manual flight by a certified pilot if needed.
  11. Fly slowly (≤ 2 m/s) and close to the surface (1–2 meters where safe) for detailed captures.

  13. Capture Process
  15. Use 4K video and high-resolution stills.
  16. Utilize thermal imaging (if equipped) to detect overheating, fluid leaks, or insulation issues.
  17. Take oblique angles for rivets, seams, corrosion, cracks, and dents.






💻 Post-Flight Processing



  1. Image Review
  3. Use software like DJI Terra, PIX4D, or Agisoft Metashape to process into:
  5. Orthomosaics
  6. 3D models
  7. Annotation layers for defect marking


  10. Integration with MRO Software
  12. Export annotated images and maps into TRAX, AMOS, or Ramco Aviation MRO platforms.
  13. Create an inspection report with geotagged image evidence.

  15. AI-Powered Defect Detection (optional)
  17. Run AI/ML models trained to detect:
  19. Corrosion
  20. Oil leaks
  21. Delamination
  22. Surface cracks







⚠️ Safety Considerations



  • No-fly zones around engines and avionics unless powered down.
  • Always have a visual observer (VO).
  • Maintain drone to aircraft clearance limits (usually ≥ 0.5 meters).
  • Avoid windy conditions; calibrate compass and RTK modules.






📌 Final Note:



C-checks are heavy maintenance tasks and drone-based inspections are best used to augment, not replace, certified AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) visual inspections. They’re ideal for reducing time, increasing precision, and improving digital documentation.


If you’re setting up a program for drone-based inspections, I can also help with:


  • SOP templates
  • Data annotation frameworks
  • Integration with your current asset management tools



Would you like a diagram of the drone inspection flight path around an airplane?


From Blogger iPhone client

AOG reduction CAMO vs MRO

Based on the search results, here’s a comprehensive guide to quantifying MRO and CAMO benefits for business cases:

MRO Benefits Quantification

Financial Optimization Benefits

MRO implementations deliver measurable cost reductions through optimized operating costs, improved response times, and increased productivity. Key quantifiable areas include:

• Work Order Profitability: Track revenue versus costs for individual work orders, helping identify high-margin services and underperforming operations

• Inventory Management: Optimize cash flow by minimizing unnecessary stock while ensuring critical parts availability, reducing carrying costs and warehouse space requirements

• Job Cost Analysis: Monitor labor, materials, and time expenses against estimates to identify operational inefficiencies

Productivity and Efficiency Metrics

The search results show significant measurable improvements from MRO implementations:

• Mean-Time-to-Repair Reduction: One case study demonstrated a 58-minute reduction (45% improvement) in repair times

• Customer Retention: A 20% reduction in customer churn (from 2.5% to 2%) was achieved through improved service delivery

• Cash Flow Management: Customer aging reports help track overdue invoices and manage payment collections

CAMO Benefits Quantification

From the detailed breakdown in the search results, CAMO benefits can be categorized into tangible and intangible benefits:

Tangible Benefits

• Preventing Aircraft on Ground (AOG) incidents

• Preventing engine unscheduled removal

• Increasing dispatch reliability

• Preventing further aircraft damage

• Providing saleable seats

• Preventing food wastage

• Reducing food carriage weight

• Ground equipment cost savings

• Operation capability to remote stations

• Reducing delays related to cooling systems

• Improving aircraft availability

• Reducing hangar maintenance inputs

Intangible Benefits

• Enhanced tracking and prioritization of Technical Service Reports (TSRs)

• Improved defect identification and scheduling

• Better data consolidation for Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs), Allowable Dispatch Deviations (ADDs), and Configuration Deviation Lists (CDDs)

• Company reputation and marketing advantages

Financial Metrics for Business Case Analysis

Key Performance Indicators

When building business cases, focus on these essential financial metrics:

• Net Present Value (NPV): Use discounted cash flows to forecast profitability

• Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate projected incremental gains versus net investment costs

• Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR): Determine the minimum return needed for project viability

• Net Cash Flow: Track cumulative cash inflows and outflows over the analysis period

Monetization Approach

To effectively quantify benefits, translate all improvements into corresponding cash flows:

• Outcome Definition: Clearly define measurable results (e.g., “reduce average repair time by 30%”)

• Benefit Quantification: Convert outcomes into measurable benefits (e.g., “increase revenue by 10%”)

• Cash Flow Calculation: Estimate time savings based on fully loaded employee costs, including wages and benefits

For healthcare MRO implementations, one analysis projected $4,918,687 in benefits primarily from reducing civilian emergency department visits by 1,500 annually, with a median cost saving of $6 per prevented visit.

The key to successful MRO and CAMO business cases lies in identifying controllable drivers that significantly impact outcomes and benefits, then systematically measuring and monetizing these improvements through established financial analysis techniques.

From Blogger iPhone client

Airline maintenance demand and capacity

To measure demand and capacity for aircraft maintenance, allocate technical staff efficiently, and minimize overall downtime, you need to gather data across several categories: aircraft operations, maintenance needs, workforce management, and resource availability.





1. 

Aircraft Operations Data (Demand Drivers)



These determine when and how often maintenance will be needed.


  • Flight hours and flight cycles per aircraft
  • Scheduled route plans (frequency, duration, utilization)
  • Aircraft type and age
  • Regulatory maintenance intervals (A-check, C-check, D-check, etc.)
  • Unscheduled maintenance events (e.g., faults reported by pilots or systems)






2. 

Maintenance Task Data



Helps define what needs to be done, and how long it takes.


  • Task duration estimates (man-hours)
  • Task precedence constraints (dependencies between tasks)
  • Required qualifications/certifications per task
  • Special tools or equipment required
  • Parts and materials needed
  • Task deadlines (hard or soft constraints)






3. 

Technical Staff Data (Capacity)



Used for staff planning and allocation.


  • Headcount by shift and location
  • Staff skill levels and certifications (e.g., A&P, avionics)
  • Work-hour availability per person (after accounting for leave, training, fatigue limits)
  • Multi-tasking ability or crew specialization
  • Labor cost per technician/crew






4. 

Maintenance Facility & Resource Data



Defines physical capacity and constraints.


  • Number of bays/hangar slots by aircraft size/type
  • Tool and equipment availability
  • Storage and handling constraints for parts
  • Availability of ground support staff and systems






5. 

Scheduling and Planning Data



Helps in integrating the above into schedules.


  • Aircraft availability windows (downtime allowed without disrupting operations)
  • Priority rules (e.g., safety-critical before cosmetic)
  • Slack time between scheduled checks
  • Lead times for procurement of parts/tools
  • Historical delay/cancellation data due to maintenance






6. 

Performance and Risk Metrics (for optimization)



Used to evaluate and improve the scheduling model.


  • Total downtime per aircraft
  • Turnaround time per maintenance event
  • Technician utilization rate
  • On-time performance (OTP) impact
  • Deferred maintenance events count
  • Maintenance-induced delays or cancellations





Would you like a visual summary or a data model template in Excel or diagram format for these?


From Blogger iPhone client
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