Talk:European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment

RTCA and EUROCAE
DO-178B is probably the best known guideline created and published under these two organizations. In truth, verifiable source information is difficult to find unless it is purchased. In the U.S., RTCA has no legal authority and refers to what it is published as a guideline that should be considered as a standard by a regulatory authority (of competant jurisdiction). In the U.S., even when the FAA identifies an RTCA document in a Technical Standard Order (TSO), it doesn't require compliance with an applicable RTCA document. What it requires, is a level of safety and reliability either equivalent to or greater than that ensured by the document(s) identified in the TSO. I don't know how EUROCAE expresses their use of EUROCAE/RTCA publications, but it probably does the same thing since, in an alternative scenario, a manufacturer could seek certification from EUROCAE, otherwise. I can't say with the same confidence I have with respect to the FAA. What I've stated as being the FAA's approach, is what an engineer with the FAA told me when I asked. (Understanding of the RTCA docs comes from service as a committee member, which includes conversations with engineers from the UK and France).

For what it is worth. Kernel.package (talk) 07:47, 16 November 2009 (UTC)