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 is rapidly integrating into general aviation, with numerous companies developing solutions for cockpits, maintenance, and flight safety, some already in the market or nearing FAA certification.
Key AI applications include PlaneDNA's system for digitizing and analyzing complex aircraft maintenance logbooks, Merlin Pilot's AI co-pilot for enhanced in-flight safety and potential full autonomy, and Daedalean PilotEye's camera-based collision avoidance system.
These AI advancements, also embraced by the FAA for air traffic control, aim to significantly improve GA safety, efficiency, and pilot assistance, with adoption across the fleet expected to be gradual.

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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.