The Advisory Circular AC 20-115,  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  DO-178 Revision C as the active revision of that standard  . This AC calls attention to  DO-178C as a means, but not the only means  to secure FAA approval of software. The earliest revisions of the AC were brief, serving little more than to call attention to active DO-178 revisions. The AC 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). 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." History of AC 20-115 Revision Year SummaryAC 20-115A  Called attention to RTCA DO-178A.AC 20-115B 1993 Called attention to RTCA DO-178B.AC 20-115B, FAA, 1993. AC 20-115C 2013 Calls attention to RTCA DO-178C. Provides guidance for transition from Rev B to Rev C.AC 20-115C, FAA, 2013. AC 20-115D2017Minor updates largely to harmonize with EASA guidance.AC 20-115D, FAA  , 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."
The Advisory Circular AC 20-115, 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.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." History of AC 20-115 Revision Year SummaryAC 20-115A 1985 Called attention to RTCA DO-178A.AC 20-115B 1993 Called attention to RTCA DO-178B.AC 20-115B, FAA, 1993. AC 20-115C 2013 Calls attention to RTCA DO-178C. Provides guidance for transition from Rev B to Rev C.AC 20-115C, FAA, 2013. AC 20-115D2017Minor updates largely to harmonize with EASA guidance.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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Assurance Using EUROCAE ED-12( ) and RTCA DO-178( ) (previously
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)
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ED-12/
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and particularly acknowledges the synchronization of ED-12 and DO-178 at that revision
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AC
Advisory Circular
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ED-12C/
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"an acceptable
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,"
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AC
Advisory Circular
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AC
Advisory Circular
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AC
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.AC
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1985
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, Office AIR-134