Aircraft paint maintenance has reached new levels of precision and predictability following the latest evolution of a digital management system developed by AkzoNobel’s Aerospace Coatings business.

First introduced in 2023, the Aerofleet Coatings Management service uses data-rich insights to help airlines optimize coating maintenance across their fleets. It now features a second drone-based inspection tool – the Iris CMX – which is capable of directly measuring coating performance using a targeted three-in-one contact-based sensor.

Developed in partnership with Donecle, it captures precise, quantitative data for dry film thickness, color data and gloss measurements, bringing a new level of accuracy, consistency and repeatability to coating inspections.

The existing Iris GVI drone flies in a set grid over a plane’s surface and provides a full-surface visual analysis by taking up to 600 high definition photos. The coatings management software then analyzes the images to flag any issues or wear of the coatings.

Employing an advanced two-drone system further boosts Aerofleet’s ability to precisely determine when an aircraft needs to be repainted, rather than simply using time or flight hours.

“Aerofleet Coatings Management has always been about giving airlines greater confidence in when and why they maintain or repaint their aircraft,” says Patrick Bourguignon, director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business.

“The addition of the Iris CMX brings precise, consistent measurement into the process to strengthen the data that underpins our predictive models. It also allows us to support expert assessment with more objective, consistent and repeatable inspections, while improving the speed and efficiency of the inspection process,” adds Bourguignon.

With the addition of Iris CMX, the Aerofleet system now brings together three core data inputs to provide a comprehensive view of coating performance:

• Flight and environmental data, such as route profiles, UV exposure and humidity.

• Full-surface visual analysis from the Iris GVI drone.

• Targeted, high-precision measurement from the Iris CMX drone.

The two drones can be operated simultaneously, one on each side of the aircraft, by a trained team, who can complete a full inspection of a narrowbody aircraft in approximately 30 minutes.

Ideally suited for fleets of 100 aircraft or more, the service supports airlines in reducing unnecessary repainting, lowering maintenance costs and increasing aircraft availability. Over time, this contributes to both improved operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact.