GECO - Generic Experimental Cockpit

New cockpit systems and flight procedures in the Generic Experimental Cockpit

Airport at night - view out of the GECO.

The Generic Experimental Cockpit is a flight simulator based on the A320 aircraft including the flight model of the DLR test aircraft ATTAS. Unlike simulators for pilot training which require the highest degree of realism the major objective of the Genereic Experimental Cockpit is to provide maximum of flexibility on oder to meet different requirements on the fields of cockpit research regarding new cockpit systems with human-machine interfaces and new flight procedures.

For these purposes the Generic Experimental Cockpit offers a suitable frame with all necessary components and a sufficient degree of realism for presentation and for realistic tests.

Integrated cockpit systems

Validation of Head-Up Displays in the GECO cockpit.
The simulator features a collimated outside view and standard cockpit systems:

A complete Two-Crew-Cockpit with the associated control elements.
Primary Flight and Navigation Displays for each pilot as well as a Centre Display for the engine or system indications.
Components of the Flight Management System (FMS) like the Flight Control Unit (FCU) and Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU).
Several input devices for human machine interaction e.g. trackball, touch-screen and additional switches.
Head-Up Guidance System with Stroke and Raster-capability.
High detailed 3D airport models.
Additional systems like an Advanced Flight Management and a Taxi Guidance Systems are available.

The system architecture and interfaces

The simulator network is designed as a separate subsystem but there is the possibility to connect it with DLR’s Tower simulator ATS and the Air Traffic Simulator ATMOS. Other platforms could connect to via router, ISDN or internet. The communication protocol is TCP/IP so it’s easy to integrate additional systems.

The simulation is controlled via a so-called instructor. By means of this instructor the general conditions like positioning, weather and other traffic are affected and controlled.

GECO's system architecture. The Cockpit can be connected to the Institutes tower simulator and air traffic simulator in order to simulate complex scenarios.

GECO is used for research concerning avionics, cockpit display design and evaluation.

Close up with instruments and displays. New displays, e.g. for ground guidance, can be tested and validated in complex airport scenarios.