AI Comes to the Cockpit

Three companies are bringing artificial intelligence to general aviation.

Sean Siff

Monday, September 14, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

There are more than a dozen companies, such as Boston-based Merlin, identified as working on products that will use programming performed by AI or will collect information that the technology will process for use in a final software product destined for a cockpit. [Credit: Merlin]

Key Takeaways:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into general aviation (GA), with numerous companies developing solutions for cockpits and operational support, and the FAA planning AI deployment in air traffic control by 2028.
Key applications include PlaneDNA using AI to digitize and analyze aircraft maintenance logbooks, Merlin Pilot offering AI-powered safety pilot assistance and future autonomous flight capabilities, and Daedalean PilotEye utilizing computer vision for camera-based collision detection.
These AI technologies are designed to enhance GA safety by providing vital assistance, simplifying complex tasks, and augmenting human capabilities, aiming to reduce accidents and reshape the future of aviation.

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In beginning research for this article, it was assumed that artificial intelligence technology was nowhere near ready for general aviation cockpits. Sure, free access to ChatGPT is available to anyone with an internet connection, but how close are companies to actually bringing solutions to the cockpit?

After a cursory look, there are more than a dozen companies identified as working on products that will use programming performed by AI or will collect information that the technology will process for use in a final software product destined for a cockpit. While some of the companies are developing solutions for transport category and military aircraft, there’s much development happening in GA, some of which is already in-market.