Jet Aviation Launches Automated Drone Aircraft Inspections in US

This article is based on an official press release from Jet Aviation.

On May 18, 2026, Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, announced the expansion of its automated drones and artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft inspection services to the United States. According to the company’s press release, the technology is designed to map the exterior of aircraft and generate comprehensive digital reports, marking a significant step forward in aviation maintenance and record-keeping.

The service, developed in partnership with French aviation technology provider Donecle, is currently being rolled out to Jet Aviation’s U.S.-based managed fleet and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) customers. At this stage of the U.S. launch, the technology is designated specifically for non-regulated inspections. Company statements indicate that these digital reports will primarily support operational events such as Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPIs), warranty claims, and damage assessments for insurance cases.

By integrating autonomous drone flight with advanced AI analysis, Jet Aviation aims to drastically improve the speed, safety, and accuracy of exterior aircraft evaluations. The system is compatible with a wide range of business jets, narrow-body aircraft, and an increasing number of wide-body airframes.

Technology and Efficiency Gains

Traditional manual visual inspections of an aircraft’s exterior are notoriously labor-intensive. According to data provided in the release, a standard manual inspection can take technicians between 10 and 12 hours to complete. In contrast, the Donecle drone and AI system can accomplish the same comprehensive scan in under an hour, making the automated process up to ten times faster.

The inspection process relies on a combination of autonomous drone navigation and high-resolution imaging. Once the drone captures the visual data, advanced AI algorithms automatically detect, classify, and annotate surface anomalies. These defects can range from lightning strikes and structural dents to standard paint wear.

Safety and Traceability

Beyond operational efficiency, the automated system introduces substantial safety benefits. By deploying drones to scan the upper surfaces of an aircraft, maintenance teams are no longer required to work at heights, thereby mitigating physical workplace risks. Furthermore, the technology generates a paperless, cloud-stored historical record of the aircraft’s exterior condition. This digitized map provides operators with an accurate visual baseline for immediate assessment or future reference, significantly improving long-term traceability.

Background and Regulatory Milestones

While the U.S. launch is a new development, Jet Aviation has been utilizing this technology in Europe for several years. The company initially introduced the automated drone and AI system at its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub and global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, in 2023.

The European operation achieved a major regulatory milestone in May 2024 when the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) approved the process for General Visual Inspections (GVIs) by images. This approval allowed the Basel facility to utilize the technology for regulated maintenance checks. The system’s hardware and software are powered by Donecle, a Toulouse-based startup founded in 2015. According to industry reports, Donecle recently raised €10 million in an April 2026 funding round led by IRDI Capital Investissement and SWEN Capital Partners to accelerate its expansion into the U.S. and European markets. Donecle remains the only solution on the market certified by Airbus, Boeing, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The U.S. Rollout Strategy

For the U.S. market, Jet Aviation is focusing heavily on enhancing the owner and operator experience through transparency and digitized records. David Best, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations and General Manager of the Americas at Jet Aviation, highlighted the customer-centric approach of the new service.

“We are incredibly excited to work with our colleagues in Europe to bring this new and unique service to our customers in the US. Our team is committed to listening to, and working closely with, our customers to grow our regional offering in ways that make a real difference to the owner and operator experience. The drone and AI technology offers our managed and FBO customers additional peace of mind, providing an accurate, comprehensive, digitized report of the exterior of the aircraft for their records now and in the future.”, David Best, SVP Regional Operations & GM Americas, Jet Aviation

AirPro News analysis

We view Jet Aviation’s U.S. expansion of drone inspections as a clear indicator of the aviation industry’s broader shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. By creating highly accurate “digital twins” of aircraft exteriors, operators can integrate this visual data into broader MRO software systems. This allows maintenance providers to track wear-and-tear over time and predict necessary interventions before a critical failure occurs. This digitization is particularly disruptive for the aircraft sales market, where transparent, apples-to-apples comparisons during Pre-Purchase Inspections are vital.

Furthermore, Jet Aviation’s choice of technology partner is strategically significant given the current U.S. regulatory climate. The U.S. government and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have recently intensified scrutiny and placed restrictions on foreign-made drones, particularly those manufactured by Chinese companies like DJI. Because Donecle is a French company holding FAA approvals, Jet Aviation is well-positioned to offer secure, compliant drone services to U.S. operators without running afoul of geopolitical technology restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of inspections are currently supported by this technology in the U.S.?
Currently, the U.S. rollout is designated for non-regulated inspections. This includes Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPIs), assessing damage for insurance claims, and verifying exterior conditions for warranty cases.

How much time does the automated drone inspection save?
According to the company, traditional manual visual inspections can take 10 to 12 hours. The automated drone and AI system can complete the same task in under an hour, making it up to 10 times faster.

Who provides the drone and AI technology?
The technology is powered by Donecle, a French aviation technology startup founded in 2015. Their solution is certified by the FAA, EASA, Airbus, and Boeing.

Sources

• Jet Aviation