AIRCRAFT PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION (PPI)
Before investing in an aircraft, obtain a detailed, documented view of its external condition.
Acquiring an aircraft is a major investment, and understanding its technical condition is an essential part of the decision.
Drone Visual Inspection (DVI) supports buyers, sellers, operators and maintenance organisations during Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPI), combining automated drone visual inspection technology with specialist aviation expertise
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Our mission: to document the visible condition of external airframe surfaces, identify apparent anomalies and provide technical information useful to the aircraft assessment.
WHY USE A DRONE INSPECTION BEFORE A PURCHASE ?
Understand the aircraft better before making a decision.
During an aircraft transaction, its external condition may reveal findings that warrant attention: dents, impacts, scratches, paint deterioration or visual indications that may require further checks.
Automated drone inspection produces structured photographic records of many external surfaces, including certain elevated areas or areas that are difficult to access using conventional methods.
DVI experts then review the photographs within the agreed scope of analysis.
This approach complements the technical, documentary and regulatory checks performed by the competent organisations as part of the PPI.
A VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AIRFRAME
Depending on the aircraft configuration, system capabilities and inspection conditions, image capture may cover:
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Fuselage: documenting external surfaces and looking for visible deterioration.
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Wings: observing accessible surfaces and any visible anomalies.
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Tail surfaces and vertical stabiliser: photographic inspection of elevated areas, subject to accessibility.
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Coatings and paint: looking for chips, scratches, flaking and apparent imperfections.
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External airframe components: observing visible panels, junctions and joints within the inspection scope.
The data may help document dents, scratches, impacts, surface deterioration or visual indications suggestive of corrosion.
Where a finding requires more detailed characterisation, the competent maintenance teams may be asked to perform measurements or further checks.
A STRUCTURED SERVICE, FROM IMAGE CAPTURE TO REPORT
01 — Defining the scope
We liaise with the buyer, their representative or the maintenance organisation to identify the aircraft, the areas to inspect and the assessment requirements.
02 — Photographic acquisition
The drone system captures the planned images along automated flight paths, under operational supervision and within the limits of accessible surfaces.
03 — Technical analysis
Our experts review usable images to identify, locate and document visible anomalies within the agreed scope.
04 — Reporting the findings
DVI delivers the photographs and technical report specified in the service, providing the parties concerned with structured documentation.
05 — Further investigations where necessary
Findings requiring closer examination may be referred to competent maintenance personnel so they can determine the appropriate checks or actions.
BENEFITS FOR THE BUYER
A CLEARER VIEW OF THE EXTERNAL CONDITION
The buyer receives visual documentation to assess the inspected surfaces and review the apparent anomalies identified.
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT NEGOTIATIONS
Documented findings can inform discussions between the buyer, seller and technical representatives, particularly where an anomaly requires further checking or assessment.
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS FOR RETENTION
The agreed images and reports can be archived to establish a visual baseline of the aircraft at the time of acquisition.
OBSERVATION OF ELEVATED AREAS
The drone facilitates photographic acquisition of external surfaces that are difficult to access, particularly the upper fuselage, vertical stabiliser and tail surfaces.
A SPECIALIST TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE
DVI's analysis draws on knowledge of aircraft structures and the visible anomalies that may be encountered during an airframe inspection.
BENEFITS FOR THE SELLER AND MAINTENANCE ORGANISATION
For the seller
Presenting structured visual documentation can support transparent discussions and facilitate dialogue about the aircraft's apparent external condition.
For the maintenance organisation
Automated image capture and DVI expertise provide an additional source of photographic information that can be incorporated into the PPI technical file.
For the parties' technical representatives
Images and located findings facilitate communication, identification of areas of interest and coordination of any further investigations.
ASSESSMENT TAILORED TO YOUR ORGANISATION
Turnkey inspection
DVI deploys its drone system to capture images and provide the deliverables agreed for the PPI.
Remote Technical Assessment
Where images have already been acquired, DVI can analyse them remotely, subject to sufficient quality, coverage and usability.
Targeted analysis
A targeted assessment can be defined for a specific technical question or a limited damage category.
Comprehensive assessment
For a PPI addressing the overall external condition, a comprehensive analysis of the agreed finding categories can be offered.
ASSESSMENT COMPLEMENTING A TRADITIONAL PPI
Automated drone inspection provides visual documentation and technical analysis of accessible surfaces.
It does not replace a complete PPI, which may also require document reviews, mechanical checks, detailed inspections, measurements or other investigations performed by competent organisations.
DVI findings alone do not constitute an airworthiness determination, certification of the aircraft's overall condition or a guarantee that no non-visible damage exists.
Our aim is to provide additional photographic and technical information to support a better-informed purchase decision.
PLANNING TO BUY OR SELL AN AIRCRAFT?
Include an automated visual assessment in your pre-purchase inspection.
Whether you are a buyer, seller, technical representative or maintenance organisation, DVI helps define your inspection scope and select the service suited to your needs.