Story ID: 517
GE Unveils Open Avionics Demonstrator 
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Concept allows mission-specific tailoring and quicker, cheaper upgrades
Word Count: 296
GE Aviation has brought an integrated open avionics demonstrator to the Farnborough Airshow. Showcased in its pavilion (P2) in the form of a fully functional open systems flight deck, the demonstrator incorporates the hardware, tools, and infrastructure to support a range of connected software applications.

“With our domain experience in existing open systems on the Boeing 787 and the Gulfstream G500/G600, we’re seeing how significant improvements can be made for the wider aviation industry,” said Alan Caslavka, president of avionics for GE Aviation.

“Our customers tell us that they have major frustrations with the inflexibility and high cost of change in some avionics systems. We aim to give our customers the tools to control the configuration of their own systems, avoiding vendor lock and creating a lower-cost route to innovation.”

“Customers have highlighted cautions and warnings, system synoptics, checklists, and military mission applications as those in need of frequent customization,” added Caslavka. “And we have OEMs today using our beta tools to validate their effectiveness and the value they can unlock.”

Aside from the main flight deck displays, in recent years electronic flight bags have gained in popularity. However, current EFB applications cannot integrate or seamlessly connect with the aircraft’s flight management system (FMS). By defining an open secure and certified route to sharing data, GE can provide the pilot with the ability to optimize route planning on an EFB and deploy it directly into the aircraft flight plan via the FMS. GE’s open avionics demonstrator demonstrated that capability.

GE Aviation continues to invest in open flight-deck technologies in partnership with the UK government, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Coventry and Southampton Universities via the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK.