Pentastar Aviation FBO Introduces Wingwalking Robots

Pentastar Aviation, an FBO at Detroit-area Oakland County International Airport (KPTK), has rolled out a new safety innovation to its ground handling safety procedures: robotic units to assist with wing-walking monitoring during aircraft movement operations. The technology introduces automation to a critical part of aircraft ground handling.

According to Michigan-based Pentastar, it has become the first aviation service company to integrate the robotics—developed by Cincinnati-headquartered Airtrek Robotics—into its day-to-day aviation operations.

“Developing technology for aviation requires a deep understanding of the environment and the level of precision that safe aircraft operations demand,” said Chris Lee, co-founder and CEO of Airtrek Robotics. “Pentastar brought that real-world perspective to our development process, lending essential operational expertise that enabled us to refine how this technology works in practice. Together, we’ve created a new approach to a longstanding component of aircraft ground operations that, we believe, will become a model for others across the industry.”

During aircraft towing operations, wingwalkers are typically positioned near the wings to communicate clearance and potential hazards to the tug operator. Most FBOs will use at least two line service technicians, one stationed on each wing.

With the Airtrek system, autonomous robots move alongside the aircraft to monitor its surroundings and help identify possible obstacles, providing ground crews with greater visibility as they navigate busy ramp and hangar environments. 

According to Pentastar, it is implementing a new model for wingwalking that pairs the judgment and operational knowledge of its team with technology designed specifically for the aviation environment.

“We are purposeful about our approach to innovation and how it can enhance the experiences we deliver every day,” said Ben Hammond, Pentastar’s v-p of FBO services, “Our high standard for safety requires precision and constant awareness, and Airtrek has created a solution that complements our crew and their expertise, taking that standard to the next level and further elevating our operations in a way that has previously not been done.” 

Pentastar has leased two of the autonomous wingwalking robots from the manufacturer on a monthly subscription basis. Operations began this month with full implementation expected by the fourth quarter.