DO-178C

Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification
Abbreviation
  • DO-178C
  • ED-12C
Latest version5 January 2012 (2012-01-05)
Organization
PredecessorDO-178B
DomainAviation

DO-178C, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification is the primary document by which the certification authorities such as FAA, EASA and Transport Canada approve all commercial software-based aerospace systems. The document is published by RTCA, Incorporated, in a joint effort with EUROC and replaces DO-178B. The new document is called DO-178C/ED-12C and was completed in November 2011 and approved by the RTCA in December 2011. It became available for sale and use in January 2012.[1][2][3]

Except for FAR 33/JAR E, the Federal Aviation Regulations do not directly reference software airworthiness.[4] On 19 Jul 2013, the FAA approved AC 20-115C, designating DO-178C a recognized "acceptable means, but not the only means, for showing compliance with the applicable FAR airworthiness regulations for the software aspects of airborne systems and equipment certification."[5]

  1. ^ Timberlake Membership Software, 703-591-4232. "Rtca, Inc". Rtca.org. Retrieved 7 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Charlotte Adams (1 September 2010). "DO-178C nears finish line, with credit for modern tools and technologies". Avionics Intelligence. Retrieved 23 October 2010. The industry expects the final package —DO-178C— to be released in the first quarter of 2011 and be mandated six to nine months after ratification.
  3. ^ "Summary of Difference Between DO-178B and DO-178C". FAA Consultants.com. Qualtech Consulting, Inc. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010. The release of these long anticipated standards will occur in mid 2011 and be recognized by the Certification Authorities in 2012.
  4. ^ Leslie A. (Schad) Johnson. DO-178B, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification ( in the context of software development for military aircraft, a practitioner's discussion of the evolution of the current practice and application of RTCA/DO-178B). Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. p. 11. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 2013-08-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)