Modern aircraft cockpit featuring glowing touchscreen displays.

Touchscreen Revolution: How Gulfstream Reinvented the Flight Deck

Avery Sinclair in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 3 min read.

"Explore the groundbreaking integration of touchscreen technology in the Gulfstream G500 and G600, setting a new standard in aviation user interface design."

For decades, touchscreen technology lingered on the periphery of aircraft avionics, overshadowed by traditional knobs and buttons. But times have changed. Smartphones and tablets have conditioned us to expect intuitive touch interfaces in every aspect of our lives. Now, that expectation is soaring into the skies.

Gulfstream Aerospace has spearheaded this transformation, boldly integrating ten touchscreens into the advanced Symmetry™ flight deck of the G500 and G600 aircraft. This leap replaces numerous physical switches and offers pilots a dynamic, software-driven interface.

This article explores Gulfstream’s journey, examining the design considerations, challenges overcome, and the future implications of this revolutionary shift. How did Gulfstream balance innovation with the stringent demands of aviation safety? What are the benefits for pilots, and what does this mean for the future of flight deck design?

A New Era of Flight Deck Interaction

Modern aircraft cockpit featuring glowing touchscreen displays.

Why embrace touchscreens in the high-stakes environment of a flight deck? The answer lies in improved efficiency and adaptability. Physical controls, once the standard, are increasingly seen as outdated. Modern system developers recognize the immense flexibility of software-driven interfaces, which can be refined and updated throughout the development cycle.

Gulfstream's adoption of touchscreens directly addresses the evolving expectations of pilots. Accustomed to using tablets for flight planning and electronic flight bag functions, pilots now expect a similar level of intuitive interaction in the cockpit. However, the integration of touch technology isn't merely about keeping up with trends. It's about enhancing functionality and safety.

Reduced Pilot Workload: Direct manipulation via touch streamlines tasks, reducing the time and effort associated with traditional cursor control devices.
Enhanced Redundancy: Software-based controls can be easily replicated across multiple displays, providing critical redundancy in emergency situations.
Improved Reliability: Modern touchscreen technology offers exceptional reliability, overcoming the limitations of earlier interfaces.

Designing a touchscreen-centric flight deck is not without its challenges. Gulfstream addressed these challenges by focusing on three core areas: Human Factors, Industrial Design, and Design Engineering. Each discipline played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the Symmetry™ flight deck.

The Future of Flight is at Your Fingertips

Gulfstream's pioneering work with touchscreen technology has set a new standard for aviation, paving the way for further innovation and a more intuitive, safer, and efficient flying experience. As touch technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated flight decks that seamlessly blend human expertise with cutting-edge technology.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1109/dasc.2018.8569532, Alternate LINK

Title: Development Of Touchscreen Displays For The Gulfstream G500 And G600 Symmetry™ Flight Deck

Journal: 2018 IEEE/AIAA 37th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC)

Publisher: IEEE

Authors: Christopher B. Watkins, Colleen Nilson, Susan Taylor, Kristin B. Medin, Igor Kuljanin, Huy B. Nguyen

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

How has Gulfstream integrated touchscreen technology into its aircraft?

Gulfstream Aerospace integrated ten touchscreens into the Symmetry™ flight deck of the G500 and G600 aircraft. This replaced many physical switches and offers pilots a software-driven interface. Touchscreen technology helps with efficiency and adaptability. It offers flexibility that can be refined and updated. Pilots expect a similar level of intuitive interaction in the cockpit.

What advantages does the Symmetry™ flight deck offer in terms of redundancy and pilot workload?

Touchscreen adoption has several benefits. Direct manipulation via touch streamlines tasks, reducing pilot workload. The software-based controls can be replicated across multiple displays, providing critical redundancy. Modern touchscreen technology also offers reliability, overcoming limitations of earlier interfaces. The design focuses on human factors, industrial design and design engineering.

Why are physical controls outdated in high-stakes environments?

Physical controls were outdated in the high-stakes environment of a flight deck. Touchscreens offer more flexibility. Pilots are accustomed to using tablets for flight planning. This integration improves functionality and safety. The adoption of touch technology isn't merely about following trends.

What key areas did Gulfstream focus on to address the design challenges of integrating touchscreens?

Gulfstream addressed design challenges by focusing on three core areas. Human Factors were considered to ensure that the touchscreen interface is intuitive and easy to use for pilots. Industrial Design played a role in the physical layout and aesthetics of the flight deck. Design Engineering ensured that the touchscreens were reliable and met the stringent demands of aviation safety.

What implications does Gulfstream's touchscreen technology have for the future of aviation and flight deck design?

Gulfstream's touchscreen technology has set a new standard for aviation. The future will likely see even more sophisticated flight decks that seamlessly blend human expertise with technology. Other areas of aviation technology may also follow, creating safer and more efficient flying experiences. Other manufacturers may be inspired to implement similar paradigms.