AC 20-115

The Advisory Circular AC 20-115, Airborne Software Development Assurance Using EUROCAE ED-12( ) and RTCA DO-178( ) (previously Airborne Software Assurance), identifies the RTCA published standard DO-178 as defining a suitable means for demonstrating compliance for the use of software within aircraft systems. 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.

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 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.[1]

Revision History
History of AC 20-115
RevisionYearSummary
AC 20-115 1982 Called attention to RTCA DO-178.[2]
AC 20-115A 1986 Called attention to RTCA DO-178A.[2][3]
AC 20-115B 1993 Called attention to RTCA DO-178B.[4]
AC 20-115C 2013 Calls attention to RTCA DO-178C. Provides guidance for transition from Rev B to Rev C.[5]
AC 20-115D 2017 Minor updates largely to harmonize with EASA guidance.[6]

References
  1. 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."
  2. "Advisory Circulars" (PDF). Aviation Impact Reform. Retrieved March 28, 2018. List of ACs made from the Special Collections of the United States Department of Transportation Library (AC's from 1982 / AC's from 1986)
  3. Malvern J. Atherton (2005). System Theoretic Framework for Assuring Safety and Dependability of Highly Integrated Aero Engine Control Systems (PDF). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 24 Jan 2016. It refers to AC 20-115A (superseded by B), which itself identifies DO-178B as defining a suitable means for demonstrating compliance for the use of software within aircraft systems.
  4. AC 20-115B, FAA, 1993.
  5. AC 20-115C, FAA, 2013.
  6. AC 20-115D, FAA, Office AIR-134, 2017. "The technical content of this AC is as far as practicable harmonized with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AMC 20-115D, equally based on ED-12C/DO-178C."
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