AkzoNobel takes aircraft paint maintenance to new heights of efficiency
AkzoNobel (AKZOY) has introduced the Aerofleet Coatings Management system, enabling airlines to optimize paint maintenance schedules for their fleets. This digital management system helps determine repaint needs based on actual coating condition rather than fixed schedules, potentially reducing costs and increasing aircraft availability by up to a year. The service collects data from manual and drone inspections, creating detailed aircraft histories, including coating types and flight path data. It aims to decrease repainting frequency, benefiting airline finances and minimizing waste. The launch is part of a broader initiative under AkzoNobel Aerospace Business Solutions.
- The Aerofleet Coatings Management system allows airlines to optimize paint maintenance schedules, reducing costs.
- Potential to increase aircraft availability by up to a year by repainting only when necessary.
- Utilizes data from manual and drone inspections to provide accurate maintenance schedules.
- Targets fleets with over 100 aircraft, enhancing efficiency in maintenance.
- Part of AkzoNobel's broader Aerospace Business Solutions initiative.
- None.
Known as Aerofleet Coatings Management, the system uses data that's gathered over several years to help ensure that aircraft are only repainted when needed, not according to a fixed time schedule alone.
"Planes are often repainted while the coating still has life left in it," explains
Currently, aircraft tend to be taken out of service for maintenance every six or seven years, without really knowing for certain if a repaint is needed. Aerofleet addresses this issue by capturing data from both manual and drone-operated inspections and creating a database of every aircraft in a fleet. The individual histories include details of the coatings used (such as single-stage or basecoat/clearcoat coatings), as well as flight path data – such as weather conditions – which can affect the longevity of the coating applied.
"By analyzing this information and mapping it over several years, it becomes easier and more accurate to determine when an aircraft needs to be repainted, rather than simply using time or flight hours," adds
Ideally suited for fleets in excess of 100 aircraft, the inspection service is provided by experts from AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings, using a digital application. The app stores all the information collected, such as dry film thickness, color variation, gloss and general appearance. The data is then fed back to a database, which tracks the fleet's performance over time.
Manual inspections can be further enhanced by automated inspections conducted by drones. The drones fly in a set grid over the plane's surface – taking up to 1,000 high definition photos – and the built-in software analyzes the images to flag any issues or wear of the coatings. This standardizes the inspection and is less subjective. It's also faster and more in-depth than a manual inspection – an automated drone can scan an entire narrowbody aircraft in less than an hour. Whether digitally recording data manually or via a drone, the objective is to only have an aircraft on the ground when it needs to be.
Aerofleet Coatings Management is being launched as part of a range of support and enhanced training services available through AkzoNobel Aerospace Business Solutions, a new entity bringing further structure to many of the services already provided by the business' technical support teams.
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