Avionics Certification: A Complete Guide to DO-178 and DO-254

How to understand and comply with the two most important safety certifications for avionics software and hardware. The authors have 30 years of experience each, certifying hundreds of aerospace systems, including Boeing, Airbus, military and other aircraft---and working with FAA and European Union rule-makers. These standards have increased the reliability of digital avionics---and have reduced equipment failure and accidents to record low rates. The authors teach the subject with clarity, the result of presenting DO-178 workshops all over the world to organizations producing avionics, airframes and components. They explain concepts behind more than 30 topics that comprise the regulations. Just as important, they illuminate them with many real-life certification programs, showing where they are flexible or vague and how to deal with them. Although the book covers the most advanced concepts in digital avionics, the authors lighten it with anecdotes about clients and their early experiences in the road to certification. Some useful features of the book include: a glossary of terms for quick reference, a graphic for each topic which boils down the main points; and the text of the FAA Advisory Circular on software compliance in airborne systems. Read more