PURPOSE

This advisory circular (AC) describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, for showing compliance with the applicable airworthiness regulations for the electronic hardware aspects of airborne systems and equipment for type certification or Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. However, if you use the means described in the AC, you should follow it in all applicable respects unless alternate means or deviations are proposed and accepted by the FAA.

This AC recognizes EUROCAE ED-80, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware, dated April 2000, and RTCA DO-254, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware, dated April 19, 2000.

This AC describes when to apply EUROCAE ED-80/RTCA DO-254, and it supplements EUROCAE ED-80/RTCA DO-254 with additional guidance and clarification for the development of custom devices, including the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) intellectual property (IP), for the use of COTS devices, and for the development of circuit board assemblies (CBA).

The additional guidance and clarification are provided in the form of objectives. The applicant is expected to describe the process and activities to satisfy the objectives of this AC.

Note: EUROCAE ED-80 is hereafter referred to as “ED”; RTCA DO-254 is hereafter referred to as “DO.” Where the notation “ED-80/DO-254” appears in this document, the referenced documents are recognized as being equivalent.

This AC does not address the Single Event Effects (SEE) aspects or the assessment of the hardware susceptibility to SEE. However, the Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification may still be used to document the certification considerations for Single Event Effects.