Delta Air Lines Becomes 1st Carrier With FAA Approval For Mainline Fleet Drone Inspections In a groundbreaking move, Delta Air Lines has become the first U.S. commercial airline to receive FAA approval for using drones to inspect their fleet. This innovative approach, recently announced by Delta, is set to revolutionize aircraft maintenance procedures, with a particular focus on post-lightning strike inspections. Delta TechOps, the airline’s maintenance division, is introducing a fleet of small, semi-autonomous drones for visual inspections. These unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are pushing the boundaries of aviation technology – they’re capable of navigating around an entire aircraft, capturing high-resolution images without requiring manual control from a pilot. The benefits are clear: enhanced safety for maintenance workers, potentially fewer delays for passengers, and a more efficient, cost-effective maintenance process overall. It’s a prime example of how drone technology is reshaping industries far beyond its original applications in photography and deliveries. As we look to the future, it’s likely that drone inspections will become standard practice across the aviation industry. The combination of improved safety, increased efficiency, and potential cost savings makes a compelling case for widespread adoption. However, this development also raises interesting questions. How will this technology evolve? Will we see fully automated inspection drones in the near future? How might this impact the job market for aircraft inspectors and technicians? https://dronexl.co/2024/10/05/delta-faa-approved-drone-inspections/#:~:text=In%20a%20groundbreaking%20move%2C%20Delta%20Air%20Lines%20has,with%20a%20particular%20focus%20on%20post-lightning%20strike%20inspections.