With 10 aircraft and helicopters, DLR's Flight Experiments (FX) Facility operates the largest civilian fleet of research aircraft in Europe. The Facility provides support to internal and external customers during the planning, execution and post-processing of scientific research missions focusing on flight research and airborne science. These research missions either use the aircraft as a carrier platform for scientific equipment or as a research object in aeronautical research.
Flight Experiments facility
DLR's fleet of research aircraft
The DLR Flight Experiments Facility, which is located in Braunschweig and Oberpfaffenhofen, is responsible for the deployment and utilisation of DLR’s fleet of highly-modified research aircraft. These aircraft are themselves the subject of aeronautical research – for example in the fields of aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, flight control and flight guidance. They are also used as platforms for the installation of scientific instruments for atmospheric research and Earth observation.
In-flight Systems and Technology Airborne Research (ISTAR) aircraft
Image
2/11,
Credit:
DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
In-flight Systems and Technology Airborne Research (ISTAR) aircraft
When fully developed, ISTAR will be able to test the flight characteristics of new aircraft designs, real or virtual, crewed or uncrewed, under real operating conditions.
ATRA at low altitude over the Magdeburg Cochstedt Airport
Image
3/11,
Credit:
DLR/Marek Kruszewski (CC-BY 3.0).
ATRA at low altitude over the Magdeburg Cochstedt Airport
The DLR ATRA research aircraft flies at around 15 metres above the airport grounds with its landing gear retracted.
DLR's DO 228-212 research aircraft
The DO 228-212 is primarily used for remote sensing, but also for marine and atmospheric research.
Research aircraft
With a focus on research into aircraft and utilising these, the facility is located in Braunschweig and Oberpfaffenhofen. The main user institutes are located at these sites, which ensures continuous access to the experimental facilities, particularly during the preparation phases for campaigns and missions.
In-Flight-Simulator EC 135 FHS
EC 135 (FHS), Flying Helicopter Simulator, is a unique, advanced airborne testbed and is designed to allow the in-flight evaluation of new control technologies, cockpit designs, and man-machine interfaces in a real environment and with the pilot in the loop. It is based on an EC 135 helicopter that is refitted with fly-by-light technology, smart actuators, high speed processors, state-of-the-art sensors, and advanced, programmable display systems.
Flying auditorium 'Cessna 208B Grand Caravan'
The Cessna C208B Grand Caravan (registration D-FDLR) was converted into a flying auditorium by the German Aerospace Center's (DLR) Oberpfaffenhofen flight facility.
BO 105 flying in the quarry
DLR BO 105 research helicopter in flight above the lake at the base of the quarry.
DLR hangar in Braunschweig
View of the large hangar at the DLR site in Braunschweigt.
Dornier Do 228-101 research aircraft (registration D-CODE)
Image
10/11,
Credit:
DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
Dornier Do 228-101 research aircraft (registration D-CODE)
The Dornier Do 228-101 research aircraft (registration D-CODE) is used by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) for a range of experiments.
DLR Flight Facility Oberpfaffenhofen
The DLR Flight Facility Oberpfaffenhofen is Europe’s largest operator of research aircraft for atmospheric research and earth observation.Contact
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Burkhard WiggerFacility DirectorGerman Aerospace Center (DLR)Flight Experiments
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Martin GestwaHead of the Technical Operations and Flight Experiments department, Flight Facility BraunschweigGerman Aerospace Center (DLR)Flight Experiments
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Ingmar MayerbuchHead of Flight Facility OberpfaffenhofenGerman Aerospace Center (DLR)Flight Experiments
Telephone: +49 8153 28-2962
Fax: +49 8153 28-1347Münchener Straße 20
82234 Weßling
DLR at a glance
DLR at a glance
DLR is the national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport and security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures.
Credit:
DLR
Locations and Offices
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27,111138
Flight Experiments facility: number of employees (2019)
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27,11127Female
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27,111111Male
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1Flight Experiments facility: number of PhD students (2018)
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12018
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19,928
Flight Experiments facility: number of publications – 68 percent of open access (2014 to 2018)
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19,919number of publications of open access between 2014 and 2018 (68 percent)
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19,99number of publications of non-open access between 2014 and 2018
