Advancing technologies for safety-critical applications

Abstract

The German Aerospace Center, or DLR, continued to study technologies for improving the efficiency and safety of commercial aircraft. In April, professional pilots tested DLR’s remote co-pilot, an intelligent station with which pilots and other personnel on the ground monitor flight data, help potential operational issues and provide real-time support to pilots in the air. RCP, created under the Next Generation Intelligent Cockpit research project, was designed to make single-pilot operations possible by reducing the workload of a mid-flight pilot and ensuring continuity in operations during emergencies. With the RCP workstation, up to eight aircraft can be monitored simultaneously, with emphasis on ensuring immediate, one-to-one support in emergency situations. The rigorous testing by pilots showed the potential for such technologies to improve aviation safety, and the international research community recognized the value of the research in November by conferring this year’s Red Dot Design Award to the design of the RCP user interface.