Travis AFB pioneers drone training for aircraft inspections

Synopsis

In January 2025, the 60th Maintenance Group at Travis Air Force Base completed the Department of Defense’s first in-house drone training for aircraft maintenance. Over five days, Airmen trained on 32 objectives focused on operational competency and flight safety, preparing them to use small drones for safer, more efficient inspections.

Previously, maintainers relied on lifts and safety harnesses to inspect aircraft. Now, drones equipped with multispectral cameras can detect cracks, corrosion, and hidden damage, significantly improving inspection accuracy. In the program’s first week, drone pilots identified a sheared bolt on a C-17 stabilizer panel, preventing $280,000 in damage. The initiative is expected to save more than 7,000 man-hours annually while boosting fleet health, readiness, and overall safety—setting a new standard for Air Force maintenance operations.