Hawkeye

This is an area where the Hawkeye project offers a solution. Hawkeye is developing an integrated system for the electronic flight bag (EFB) in airliner cockpits that proactively supports pilots in selecting alternate airports.

Enabling safer decisions in the cockpit more quickly

Hawkeye aims to significantly improve and accelerate the decision-making process for pilots in the event of a flight diversion. To this end, an intelligent system is being developed that continuously evaluates and prioritizes potential alternative airports in real time based on safety, technical, logistical, and political factors.

The system's central feature is its ability to adapt dynamically to the course of the flight. As the aircraft travels, the assessment of possible alternate airports changes continuously. Hawkeye continuously analyzes and compares various relevant parameters to always display the three optimal airports. Additionally, pilots can compare potential alternate airports they select with those automatically determined by the system.

The system also reacts to the specific reason that makes landing at the destination airport impossible. Whether it is a medical emergency, a technical malfunction, or an immediate landing requirement, the system adapts its assessment and adjusts its recommendation accordingly.

Technological approach

The development of Hawkeye is based on a modular system. This system can be seamlessly integrated into existing EFB systems. Hawkeye accesses a variety of current data sources. These include weather data, short-term notifications (NOTAMs), geopolitical information, airport infrastructure, and available medical care in the vicinity of the airport.

The underlying evaluation logic weighs the necessary factors to generate an overall ranking of the most suitable airports. This evaluation is continuously updated and presented in an easy-to-understand visual display, providing pilots with a reliable overview of the best alternatives at all times.

Validation and technology transfer

As part of the project, the new Hawkeye system will be integrated into an EFB system. Then, it will undergo extensive testing under realistic conditions, such as flight simulator validations and, flight test in collaboration with airline. The goal is to transfer the developed technology into practice with industry partners by the end of the project.

Benefits and prospects

Hawkeye is a system that improves safety and efficiency in air traffic sustainably. In critical situations, it provides pilots with an intelligent, data-based decision-making to help them find the best alternate airport.

In the long term, this technology could be applied to other areas, such as special mission flights, medical air transport, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Integration into future AI-supported cockpit assistance systems is also possible.

This project contributes to the digital transformation of aviation by demonstrating how intelligent assistance systems can provide targeted support for human decision-making.