[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 77551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31887]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval Guidelines for Airborne Software

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Order that guides the Aircraft Certification 
Service (AIR) field offices (that is, Aircraft Certification Offices 
and Manufacturing Inspection District or Satellite Offices) and 
Designated Engineering Representatives (DER) on how to apply RTCA/DO-
17B, ``Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment 
Certification,'' for approving airborne software. Advisory Circular 
(AC) 20-115B, RTCA, Inc. Document RTCA/DO-178B, recognizes RTCA/DO-178B 
as an acceptable means of compliance for securing the Federal Aviation 
Administration's (FAA) approval of software in airborne systems and 
equipment. The proposed Order establishes guidelines for approving 
software in compliance with RTCA/DO-178B. The guidelines are applicable 
to the approval of airborne systems and equipment and the software 
aspects of those systems related to type certificates (TC), 
supplemental type certificates (STC), amended type certificates (ATC), 
amended supplemental type certificates (ASTC), and technical standard 
order (TSO) authorizations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed Order to: Technical 
Programs & Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 835, Washington, DC 
20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Room 835, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments 
must identify the Order file number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Lewis, Technical Programs & 
Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 835, Washington, DC 20591; Telephone No. 
(202) 493-4841; FAX No. (202) 267-5340; E-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    You are invited to comment on the proposed Order by submitting 
written data, views, or arguments to the above specified address. 
Comments received on the proposed Order may be examined, before and 
after the comment closing date, Room 835, FAA Headquarters Building 
(FOB-10A), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, weekdays 
except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Director, 
Aircraft Certification Service will consider all communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments before issuing the 
final Order.

Background

    Between 1998-2002, the FAA produced a number of software-related 
notices to provide guidelines for FAA Aviation Safety Engineers (ASE), 
Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI), and DERs in various areas of software 
approval. The proposed Order combines those notices into a single 
document. On January 11, 1993, the FAA issued AC 20-115B which 
recognizes RTCA/DO-178B as a means of demonstrating compliance to 
regulations for the software aspects of airborne systems and equipment 
certification. The proposed Order assumes that RTCA/DO-178B is the 
means of compliance proposed by the applicant for software approval 
(except where previously developed software and legacy systems are 
addressed). If the applicant proposes other means, additional policy 
and FAA guidance may be needed on a project-by-project basis.

How To Obtain Copies

    You may obtain a copy of the proposed Order via Internet (http://av-info.faa.gov/software/drafts.htm) or by inquiring at the office 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Copies of Document No. 
RTCA/DO-178B may be purchased from the RTCA Inc., 1828 L Street, NW., 
Suite 807, Washington, DC 20036 (Web-site: http://www.rtca.org).
    You may inspect the RTCA document at the FAA office location listed 
under ADDRESSES. However, RTCA documents are copyrighted and may not be 
reproduced without the written consent of RTCA, Inc.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 12, 2002.
Carol Martineau,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31887 Filed 12-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M