Aerospace · Oct 2026
Aircraft Cockpit 3D Scan on the Airport Ramp
On-site 3D scanning of a vintage amphibian aircraft's cockpit, instrument panel and center pedestal on an airport ramp, with the live mesh checked on site.
On-Site 3D Scanning
On-site 3D scanning: we bring the scanners to your hangar, shop or ramp
Some things shouldn't be moved: an aircraft on the ramp, an engine on its stand, a car halfway through a build, machinery bolted to the floor. Our handheld blue-laser and structured-light scanners travel in hard cases and run from a laptop and ordinary shop power, so we set up beside the work instead of shipping it. We're based in Reno, regularly serve Reno-Tahoe, Northern Nevada and Northern California, and travel anywhere in the US.
What you get
What sets our work apart
No crating, no shipping risk
Your part stays in its hangar, cell or build stand. Nothing gets crated, trucked or handled by a carrier.
Less downtime
We work around your schedule, so the aircraft, vehicle or machine is out of service for the scan, not for days of shipping in both directions.
Scan things that can't move
Installed machinery, fixtures bolted to the floor, assemblies too big for a truck and aircraft that have to stay on the field are all within reach of handheld equipment.
Complete coverage before we leave
We review the live mesh on site and rescan any gaps, instead of discovering a missing area after we have packed up and gone home.
Process
How the work runs
Scope the visit
Send photos, rough dimensions, the location and what the scan is for. Tell us about access, security, PPE and photography rules up front.
Plan and prep
We estimate time on site, confirm the equipment and send a short prep list: clean the surfaces, remove panels or covers that hide geometry you need, and clear room to walk around the object.
Set up and scan
We set up a laptop cart or table beside the object, place targets, spray where needed and scan, checking coverage as we go.
Process and deliver
Back in Reno we clean and align the data, run any scan-to-CAD or inspection work, and send the files the way your data rules require.
Typical jobs
Where it pays off
Hangars and airport ramps
Cockpits, panels, fairings and engines scanned where the aircraft sits. We have scanned an amphibian aircraft cockpit on an open airport ramp, with our kit staged on the wing.
Race shops and fabrication shops
Cars and trucks on the lift or the build table, scanned between work sessions so the build keeps moving.
Factories and plants
Fixtures, tooling, installed machinery and large weldments that are bolted down or too big to ship.
Engines and heavy components on stands
A jet engine was scanned without coming off its transport stand, with the scanner and laptop on a cart beside it.
Art, sculpture and odd jobs
Large sculptures and vehicles in temporary workshops, like a bus undercarriage scanned from a creeper in a tent shop.
Proof
On-Site 3D Scanning projects
Aerospace · Jul 2026
Jet Engine 3D Scan On Site: CFM56-Series Turbofan
On-site 3D scanning of a CFM56-series turbofan on its transport stand, capturing the engine's geometry for an aviation customer's engineering team.
FAQ
On-Site 3D Scanning questions
Can you travel to our facility?
Yes. We're based in Reno, Nevada, regularly serve Reno-Tahoe, Northern Nevada and Northern California, and travel anywhere in the US.
What do we need to provide for on-site 3D scanning?
Standard power, clear access around the object, a small table or space for our laptop cart, and an escort if your site requires one. Please clean the surfaces to be scanned and remove any panels hiding the geometry you need.
Can you scan outdoors or on an airport ramp?
Yes, we've scanned on an open ramp. Bright direct sun and wind make scanning harder, so shade or a hangar helps, and we'll plan the timing with you.
Will you follow our security and safety rules?
Yes. Tell us your PPE, escort, badge and photography rules before the visit and we'll work within them. We'll sign your NDA as well.
How much space do you need?
Enough room to walk all the way around the object, or get under it, with a handheld scanner, plus a spot for the laptop cart. For a vehicle or a small aircraft section, a normal shop bay works.
How is on-site scanning priced?
Price depends on the scanning work and how far we travel. Start with the instant estimate for the scan, then request a quote with your location and dates.
Guides
Further reading
Guides · 5 min read
How to Prepare a Part or Vehicle for 3D Scanning
How to prepare for 3D scanning: clean the part, clear loose items, flag critical features, plan for targets and spray, and prep vehicles, sites and shipments.
Industry · 5 min read
3D Scanning for Aerospace: MRO, Legacy Parts and Interiors
How aerospace and aviation teams use 3D scanning for legacy aircraft parts, cockpit retrofits, engines and tooling, plus what on-site ramp work involves.
Guides · 6 min read
How Much Does 3D Scanning Cost?
What drives 3D scanning cost: size, surface finish, deliverable, location and quantity. See typical scan times, ways to lower your price and get an estimate.
More services
Other ways we can help
Start a project
Ready to scan? Get a number in two minutes.
Tell us the size, complexity and what you need back. The instant estimate gives you a budget range now. Then we review the details and send a firm quote.