Drone Technology Revs Up Runway Inspections With Revolutionary New Payload
The world of aviation is fraught with challenges, and ensuring the safety of runways is paramount. …
30. September 2025
Drone Technology Revs Up Runway Inspections With Revolutionary New Payload
The world of aviation is fraught with challenges, and ensuring the safety of runways is paramount. Traditional inspection methods are often time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to costly delays and potential safety risks. Wingtra, a company pushing the boundaries of drone technology, has created innovative solutions for critical inspections. The Wingtra INSPECT payload, a high-resolution payload designed to spot cracks others miss, accelerates inspection processes.
Traditional runway inspections take too long, resulting in lost revenue from extended closures and teams spending up to 8 hours inspecting a single runway. Only parts get checked – leaving hidden cracks behind. The consequences of neglecting routine inspections can be severe, with potential damage to aircraft and even loss of life.
Wingtra’s new INSPECT payload is specifically designed to address these challenges. Paired with their flagship drone, the WingtraRAY, INSPECT delivers complete runway coverage in just 1 hour, mapping every branch, section, and sample unit with millimeter-level precision. This level of accuracy is unprecedented in the industry, enabling airports to spot even the smallest cracks and measure them accurately.
High-resolution imaging is at the heart of INSPECT’s success. Advanced sensors capture detailed images of the runway surface, allowing for precise crack detection and classification. AI technology is integrated into the system, enabling automatic scoring and measurement of cracks by severity. This information can be used to generate comprehensive crack maps, providing airports with a clear picture of their runway’s condition.
With WingtraRAY and INSPECT, scan large surfaces in minutes, and turn them into crack maps in just a few clicks using gNext – faster PCI, lower costs, full compliance. This means that airports can minimize disruptions to air traffic, reducing the risk of accidents and associated costs. Additionally, by streamlining inspection processes, airports can also reduce labor costs and improve productivity.
Wingtra’s E2E (End-to-End) workflow is designed to integrate seamlessly with INSPECT, providing a comprehensive solution for runway inspections. By leveraging the capabilities of INSPECT and gNext, airports can enjoy complete visibility into their runway’s condition, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining peak safety standards.
The Wingtra INSPECT payload represents a significant leap forward in technology, offering unparalleled accuracy, speed, and efficiency. By embracing this innovation, airports can ensure the highest level of safety, minimize disruptions, and reduce costs. With Wingtra leading the charge, the future of runway inspections looks brighter than ever.
Key Takeaways: The Wingtra INSPECT payload delivers high-resolution inspections at scale. Paired with WingtraRAY, INSPECT enables complete runway coverage in just 1 hour. Advanced sensors capture detailed images for precise crack detection and classification. AI technology is integrated to enable automatic scoring and measurement of cracks. gNext streamlines PCI processes, reducing costs and improving compliance.
The introduction of the Wingtra INSPECT payload marks a significant milestone in the world of aviation inspections. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, airports can enjoy unprecedented accuracy, speed, and efficiency. As we move forward, it’s clear that innovations like INSPECT will play a critical role in shaping the future of runway inspections.