Donecle :: Automated Drone-Based Aircraft Inspection Solutions

Donecle is a French aerospace technology company specializing in automated drone-based aircraft inspection solutions. Founded to modernize the outdated manual inspection processes in aviation, Donecle develops fully autonomous drone systems combined with AI-powered image analysis to perform fast, safe, consistent, and traceable visual inspections of aircraft. The company primarily serves commercial airlines, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers, business jet operators, and military fleets. Their technology significantly reduces aircraft ground time, improves inspection quality, enhances safety, and creates digital records of aircraft condition.

Donecle’s flagship solution is the Iris inspection system, which uses a 100% automated drone equipped with advanced laser-based navigation. This allows the drone to operate without a human pilot, without GPS, and in close proximity to the aircraft. The system can complete a full visual inspection of an aircraft (fuselage, wings, engines, landing gear, etc.) in under one hour — approximately 10 times faster than traditional manual methods. High-resolution images are automatically captured, processed by AI algorithms for defect detection (dents, cracks, lightning strikes, corrosion, etc.), and compiled into detailed digital inspection reports.

Key robot-based (drone) products and capabilities include:

• Autonomous Inspection Drone: A specialized UAV that flies pre-programmed paths around the aircraft using laser guidance for precision and safety. It requires no pilot and operates indoors (hangars) or outdoors.
• AI Image Analysis Software: Automatically detects and classifies defects, generates standardized reports, and builds a digital history for each aircraft.
• Cloud Platform: Secure storage of inspection data, traceability, and trend analysis over time for predictive maintenance support.

Donecle’s solutions are certified and approved by major aviation authorities. They are listed in the Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM) of Boeing and Airbus and have been adopted by leading operators including Dassault Falcon Services. The system is used for pre-flight checks, heavy maintenance, C-checks, and military fleet availability improvement. Key benefits include reduced aircraft downtime, lower labor costs, improved repeatability, and enhanced safety by minimizing personnel working at heights.