FUSELAGE DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION
Detect, locate and document visible anomalies on your aircraft's external structures with automated drone inspection and DVI's technical expertise.
During operation, an aircraft may sustain various forms of deterioration affecting the appearance or integrity of its external surfaces: impacts, dents, scratches, paint deterioration or visible corrosion indications.
Drone Visual Inspection (DVI) supports aviation professionals in identifying and documenting these anomalies through automated drone photographic acquisition technology combined with specialist aircraft structures expertise.
Our aim: to facilitate observation of external surfaces, locate visible anomalies and provide maintenance teams with usable technical information for their investigations.
WHY CARRY OUT A DAMAGE INSPECTION?
Understand the aircraft's external condition better to support maintenance decisions.
Deterioration may occur during operation, ground handling or maintenance work.
Identifying it requires careful observation of surfaces, particularly elevated areas or areas that are difficult to access.
Automated drone inspection collects high-resolution photographs of accessible surfaces along structured flight paths.
DVI experts can then analyse the images to identify, locate and document findings within the agreed inspection scope.
This approach provides complementary technical documentation that can help guide the necessary checks and investigations.
WHAT TYPES OF DAMAGE CAN BE IDENTIFIED?
Depending on system capabilities, image resolution and acquisition conditions, inspection can search for and document several categories of visible anomaly.
01 — DENTS AND DEFORMATION
Dents may result from accidental contact, impacts or other events during aircraft operation.
Photographic inspection searches for visible surface deformation and documents its location.
Determining a dent's dimensions, depth and acceptability requires measurements and assessment against applicable technical data where prescribed.
02 — SCRATCHES AND SURFACE MARKS
Scratches may appear on external coatings during ground operations, technical work or use of certain equipment.
High-resolution images document visible marks and the affected areas.
Further analysis may be necessary to determine whether deterioration affects only the coating or also the underlying material.
03 — IMPACT DAMAGE AND LOCALISED DETERIORATION
External surfaces may show impact marks associated with particular events.
Drone inspection facilitates the search for and location of apparent deterioration in areas actually covered.
The type, cause and actual extent of damage must still be confirmed using appropriate inspection methods.
04 — VISIBLE CORROSION INDICATIONS
Some areas may show marks, discolouration or surface changes suggestive of corrosion.
Photographic acquisition can help search for these visible indications and document the affected locations.
This search falls within a General Visual Inspection (GVI). It does not replace detailed inspections or checks prescribed by the manufacturer's maintenance documentation.
05 — COATING AND PAINT DAMAGE
Painted surfaces may show chips, flaking, worn areas or other visible imperfections.
Automated inspection documents these findings and helps technical teams locate them.
Specific coating conformity checks remain subject to applicable methods and criteria.
WHICH AIRCRAFT AREAS CAN BE INSPECTED ?
Depending on the aircraft configuration and system capabilities, image capture may cover:
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Fuselage: accessible side, upper and lower surfaces.
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Wings: accessible external surfaces and airframe junction areas.
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Horizontal tail surfaces: elevated surfaces, depending on the aircraft configuration.
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Vertical stabiliser: photographic inspection of accessible vertical surfaces.
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Panels and junctions: documenting visible anomalies within the requested scope.
Drone use is particularly useful for elevated surfaces that normally require specific access equipment for observation.
HOW DOES THE SERVICE WORK?
01 — Defining the requirement
DVI liaises with the client to identify the aircraft, inspection context and damage categories to be sought.
02 — Preparing image capture
We define the areas to document and check the technical and operational conditions required for the work.
03 — Automated image capture
The drone system collects photographs of accessible surfaces according to the planned inspection programme.
04 — Technical analysis
Depending on the selected service, DVI experts review usable images to identify and locate visible anomalies.
05 — Reporting the results
The agreed photographs and technical reports are supplied to the client with documented findings and any analysis limitations.
BENEFITS FOR MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONALS
IDENTIFYING VISIBLE ANOMALIES
High-resolution photographic acquisition facilitates observation of apparent deterioration on the surfaces actually covered.
ACCESS TO ELEVATED AREAS
The drone system documents many elevated surfaces, particularly the upper fuselage and tail surfaces.
LOCATION AND TRACEABILITY
Identified anomalies can be located and documented to facilitate technical tracking and archiving.
STRUCTURED PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
Automated acquisition produces a set of images organised according to the defined inspection scope.
SUPPORTING TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS
DVI findings can help direct maintenance teams towards areas requiring further examination or checks.
REMOTE TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT
Where photographic data are already available, they can be analysed remotely, subject to sufficient quality and coverage.
A SERVICE TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS
General Visual Inspection (GVI)
Searching for and documenting visible anomalies on accessible external aircraft surfaces.
Targeted inspection
Analysing a particular area or a damage category defined in advance.
Comprehensive assessment
Examining several anomaly categories in covered areas, within the contractually agreed scope.
Photographic monitoring
Comparing multiple surveys to document visually observable changes over time.
Remote assessment
Technical analysis of previously acquired photographs without routinely deploying DVI experts to the site.
ASSESSMENT COMPLEMENTING MAINTENANCE CHECKS
Automated inspection facilitates observation and documentation without replacing the required regulatory assessment of damage.
Photographs identify certain visible anomalies but do not always suffice to characterise their depth, extent or structural consequences.
Detailed inspections, measurements or non-destructive testing may be necessary to determine the nature and acceptability of damage.
Repair, compliance and release-to-service decisions remain the responsibility of authorised personnel and organisations, in accordance with applicable technical data.
DVI provides a complementary visual assessment to support professionals in their technical investigations.
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR AIRCRAFT SURFACES INSPECTED?
Identify and document visible anomalies with our automated inspection and technical assessment solutions.
Whether you need a comprehensive inspection, a targeted damage search or analysis of existing photographs, DVI helps define the service suited to your aircraft and organisation.