AC 20-115

Airborne Software Development Assurance Using EUROCAE ED-12( ) and RTCA DO-178( )
FAA Publication
AbbreviationAC 20-115
Year started1982
Latest versionD
2017 (2017)
OrganizationFederal Aviation Administration
PredecessorC
DomainAviation safety
WebsiteFAA

The Advisory Circular AC 20-115( ), Airborne Software Development Assurance Using EUROCAE ED-12( ) and RTCA DO-178( ) (previously Airborne Software Assurance), recognizes[1] the RTCA published standard DO-178 as defining a suitable means for demonstrating compliance for the use of software within aircraft systems.[2][3] The present revision D of the circular identifies ED-12/DO-178 Revision C as the active revision of that standard and particularly acknowledges the synchronization of ED-12 and DO-178 at that revision.[4]

This Advisory Circular calls attention to ED-12C/DO-178C as "an acceptable means, but not the only means," to secure FAA approval of software. The earliest revisions of the Advisory Circular were brief, serving little more than to call attention to active DO-178 revisions. The Advisory Circular revisions C and D are considerably longer, giving guidance in modifying and re-using software previously approved using DO-178, DO-178A, or DO-178B (preceding revisions of the DO-178 standard). Additionally, the expanded AC now provides guidance for Field Loadable Software and User Modifiable Software within aircraft software. Transition of legacy tool qualification from DO-178B to DO-330 is also discussed, with comparison of ED-12B/DO-178B Tool Qualification Type with ED-12C/ED-215 DO-178C/DO-330 Tool Qualification Level.[5]

  1. ^ Leanna Rierson (19 December 2017) [7 January 2013]. Developing Safety-Critical Software: A Practical Guide for Aviation Software and DO-178C Compliance. CRC Press. p. 49. ISBN 9781351834056. Retrieved 2024-04-10. The recognition typically comes in the form of an Advisory Circular (AC) for the FAA and equivalent advisory materials by other certification authorities.
  2. ^ Cary Spitzer; Uma Ferrell; Thomas Ferrell, eds. (2015). Digital Avionics Handbook, Avionics, Development and Implementation (3rd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 12-2. ISBN 978-1138076983. Advisory circular (AC) 20-115B specifies DO-178B as an acceptable means, but not the only means, for receiving regulatory approval for software in systems or equipment being certified under a [TSO, TC or STC].
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Spitzer2015e was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference easa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ AC 20-115C, FAA, 2013. "This AC also establishes guidance for transitioning to DO-178C when making modifications to software previously approved using DO-178, DO-178A, or DO-178B."