Remote monitoring of airports is becoming increasingly important. Air traffic controllers no longer need to be directly at the airport, but can even monitor several airports from a central "Remote Tower Center". The German Aerospace Center (DLR) will present a "Virtual Tower" at AERO in Friedrichshafen (April 9-12).
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) will be presenting its system for the remote monitoring of small and medium-sized airports, a computer game that teaches the safety aspects of electric flight in small aircraft, and a highly dynamic flight simulator for new aircraft at the leading international trade fair for general aviation, business aviation, and air sports (Hall 7, Stand A7-201). New technologies for electrified propulsion systems will also be showcased.
Photo: Fairnamic
Originally developed at the DLR Institute of Flight Guidance, DLR researchers, in collaboration with universities, airports, and air traffic control organizations, have created a solution called the "Virtual Tower" that allows air traffic controllers to work remotely using commercially available virtual reality (VR) headsets. This enables them to manage air traffic from virtually anywhere in the world – all they need is an internet connection. The "Virtual Tower" transfers an air traffic controller's entire workspace – including the view from the tower – into a virtual environment. Controllers can interact with this environment just as they would at a traditional workstation in the tower. This innovative concept could significantly strengthen the economic viability of small and medium-sized airports and make their operations more cost-efficient.
Smartflyer from Switzerland with CEO Rolf Stuber.
At the same time, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing new aircraft such as small planes and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft using a "Personal Air Vehicle Simulator" (PAVSIM). The cockpit is equipped with mixed-reality technologies and mounted on an industrial robot arm, enabling particularly realistic flight simulations. Research in the areas of flight dynamics, flight controllers, and the control of novel aircraft is a key focus. The DLR is also presenting further research projects related to electric flight, such as the HEX 4 Electra.
Calculating H2 systems
The DLR Institute of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion is presenting its latest developments in the field of thermal management, including a 3D-printed structure for heat exchangers used in hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion systems. To design and simulate fuel cell systems in aviation, the DLR Institute of Technical Thermodynamics has developed the software tool Airfox. Simply entering aircraft specifications is sufficient to calculate the necessary fuel cell system.
One of the largest exhibitors...
A total of 756 exhibitors from 38 nations are showcasing their products and services in Friedrichshafen, featuring a high number of premieres. Among them is the Smartflyer SFX1 from Grenchen, Switzerland, one of the few aircraft designed specifically for electric propulsion. This hybrid-electric aircraft celebrated its rollout in November 2024. According to the designers, the four-seater, constructed from carbon fiber composites, emits 50 percent less CO2 than conventional aircraft in its class, is 60 percent quieter, and boasts a range of 431 nautical miles (800 km). Furthermore, the electric propulsion system is easier to maintain, resulting in operating costs that are currently projected to be 50 percent lower than those of aircraft with purely piston-engine propulsion.
60 percent quieter
A company called Dovetail Electric Aviation, based in Australia and Spain, is showcasing its Dovepower electric propulsion system and Dovepack energy storage system for the first time in Europe. It is pioneering the future of zero-emission regional flight by retrofitting existing aircraft with electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems. Designed to meet the requirements of CS-23 aircraft, Dovepower, according to the manufacturer, is the perfect engine to convert aircraft of this category into eCTOL by replacing conventional turboprop engines with a highly efficient, quiet electric motor. Dovetail Electric Aviation is currently integrating Dovepower into a Cessna Caravan and is seeking STC (Supplementary Type Certificate) for the system's installation. This will transform the world's best-selling single-engine turboprop aircraft into a truly zero-emission, electric-powered platform with operating costs that are up to 40 percent lower. The company reports having 70 pre-orders for the conversion.
Another world premiere at AERO 25 is the PC-12 PRO, which, according to its manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft from Switzerland, is the most advanced single-engine turboprop aircraft ever. It features a completely new cockpit, innovative safety features such as Autoland, Smart Glide, and Electronic Stability, as well as new interior and color scheme designs. These advancements make the brand-new PC-12 PRO the most technologically advanced, high-performing, and reliable aircraft in its class. At the heart of the new PC-12 PRO is the Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), based on the Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite. Three large, high-resolution 14-inch Primary Flight Displays and two 7-inch secondary displays—all touchscreens—along with the Pilatus-developed Cursor Control Device, give the pilot complete control over every phase of the flight.
CriCri for the next generation
The Oskar Ursinus Association (OUV), a decentralized organization with over 1,200 members, helps all those who want to make their dream of owning a self-built airplane, helicopter, or ultralight a reality. Among its exhibits are an ultralight flying wing "Snow White," a Weller Rebell ultralight kit aircraft, an aerobatic two-seater Van's Aircraft RV-7A, a Cherry BX2, a CAP 232 aerobatic aircraft, and a CriCri, the world's smallest twin-engine aircraft. Also on display is a first-generation Skywalker ultralight aircraft, built for the OUV youth project "Students Build an Airplane.".
