Aviation faces the challenge of meeting increasing demands for sustainability, safety, efficiency, and capacity expansion. A key approach to achieving these goals is the further development of pilot assistance systems and human-machine interaction. Innovative technologies that support and optimise the work of the cockpit crew play a crucial role in this. They not only facilitate decision-making for the aircraft operators but also promote the integration of modern technologies and operational procedures.
For aviation to remain future-proof, it is essential to continuously develop existing approaches in pilot assistance and human-machine interaction. This includes, among other things, energy-optimised flight procedures, the analysis and assessment of concepts such as single pilot operations, the development of strategies to avoid wake turbulence encounters, and the use of advanced technologies to improve cooperation between humans and machines.
Analysis and Assessment of Single Pilot Operations (SiPO)
Today’s passenger aircraft must be flown by at least two pilots. Driven by increasing automation and rapid developments in artificial intelligence systems, aircraft manufacturers and research institutions are working on passenger aircraft that could be operated by a single pilot.
The so-called Enhanced Minimum Crew Concept (eMCO), which may only be applied during cruise flight, involves just one person flying and monitoring the aircraft while the second is either resting in the cockpit or in a dedicated rest area in the cabin. In contrast, Single Pilot Operations (SiPO) refers to a scenario where one pilot conducts the entire flight alone.
In civil aviation, safety always has the highest priority, and the requirements for certifying new aircraft and operational concepts are extremely high. The Institute of Flight Systems investigates and evaluates the safety implications of eMCO and SiPO through extensive simulator campaigns, conducted either using the DLR research simulator AVES or airline training simulators (eMCO-SiPO – Extended Minimum Crew Operations – Single Pilot Operations – Safety Risk Assessment Framework).
In the CAvIA project (Clean Aviation via Intelligent Avionics), funded under the national aviation research programme (LuFo), the institute is working in cooperation with the aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft to examine the possibilities of SiPO for small short-haul aircraft in the CS-25 category.
Avoidance of Wake Turbulence Encounters
Wake turbulence refers to vortices generated in the wake of aircraft that can endanger following aircraft. The Institute of Flight Systems addresses the modelling, simulation, and evaluation of wake turbulence encounters. In the past, it developed the Wake Vortex Prediction System (WSV) and the hazard area prediction tool SHAPe (Simplified Hazard Area Prediction). These solutions calculate dynamic, individual separation distances in real time and are internationally recognised in the field of wake turbulence safety.
In addition, the Wake Encounter Avoidance and Advisory System (WEAA), developed at the institute, has been successfully flight-tested. WEAA helps to prevent hazardous wake turbulence encounters.
The institute is also in dialogue with the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) to discuss wake turbulence accident scenarios. Another area of research is the study of wake turbulence caused by wind turbines, particularly with regard to the safety of smaller aircraft.
Pilot Assistance and Human-Machine Interaction (HMI)
The overarching goal of our research in the development of assistance systems and partial automation in aviation is to improve performance during different flight tasks. It also aims to enhance the situational awareness of aircraft operators and reduce their workload. These assistance and automation systems are developed using novel technologies to optimally address the visual, auditory, and haptic sensory channels of the operators.
The research focuses on intuitive and targeted information transmission and presentation between humans and machines. The institute is therefore investigating the use of modern head-worn XR (Extended Reality) display systems and active sidesticks. Earlier warnings about critical flight and operational conditions help to relieve pilots, especially during demanding manoeuvres such as air-to-air refuelling.
Modern methods such as voice control functions in the cockpit and XR assistance systems in the simulator have already been successfully demonstrated at the institute.
Modelling and Analysis of Human Performance during Force Exposure The objective of modelling human dynamics is to enable the evaluation of haptic human–machine interaction already at the simulation stage. The focus lies in capturing human biomechanics and motor behaviour, including the considerable variability between individuals. This forms the basis for developing aircraft interfaces that can effectively support the widest possible range of users. As active input devices become more widespread, the dynamic interaction between human and machine is taking on greater importance in aviation. Shared control and force-feedback algorithms result in a tight coupling between the aircraft and the pilots. In addition, cockpit motion can lead to unintentional inputs on joysticks or touchscreens.
The resulting overall pilot–aircraft dynamics (pilot-in-the-loop) can be analysed using realistic human models – for example, to assess oscillatory behaviour or forces acting on the body – and serve as a foundation for optimising control strategies and interface design.
Visual Assistance Systems for Supporting Contact Maintenance During Air to Air Refueling
A scale supports the pilot to keep the unrolled hose length within a safe range while fuel is being received. A fuel status indication within the pilot’s field of view allows monitoring of the refueling process without having to divert attention from outside view. The status of the refueling system is indicated by a traffic light display in accordance with applicable air to air refueling standards.
Visual Assistance Systems for Supporting Contact Establishment During Air to Air Refueling
Additional information is displayed in the head-up display to assist the pilot with estimating the relative speed between the refueling basket and the refueling probe. A pointer, projected from the refueling probe, is designed to assist in the precise insertion of the refueling probe into the refueling basket. If necessary, additional information is displayed on the refueling drogue as an assistance system to facilitate the estimation of relative speed and the refueling process in poor visibility or at night.
View through an AR glasses in the cockpit of the DLR research helicopter ACT/FHS
Scientists from the Institute of Flight Systems Engineering are exploring the potential applications of AR glasses (e.g., Microsoft HoloLens) in the cockpit. Through the visual perception channel, pilots can be intuitively informed with outside view-compliant virtual overlays. This can reduce workload and enhance situational awareness.
