Challenges in Teaching Aeronautical Software Quality Standards RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-200B
Abstract
Teaching aeronautical software quality standards, such as RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-200B, presents significant challenges, mainly when delivered to students who do not work directly in this domain. This paper explores the complex characteristics of conveying these specialized standards to a diverse audience. We identify the primary challenges in the teaching-learning process through a detailed analysis of the difficulties faced. These challenges include the need to contextualize aeronautical quality standards with practical examples, the abstract nature of the content, and the necessity for interactive methods and teaching resources to facilitate comprehension. This study provides insights for educators and educational institutions to improve their approaches to teaching aeronautical software quality standards.
Keywords:
aviation, software, audit, standard, DO-178C, certification
References
P. Anderson. 2018. Customized Training Solutions for Aeronautical Standards. Training and Development in Aviation 22, 1 (2018), 12–18.
J. Andres-Jimenez, J. Medina-Merodio, L. Fernandez-Sanz, J. Martinez-Herraiz, and J. Gonzalez-De-Lope. 2020. A Framework for Evaluating the Standards for the Production of Airborne and Ground Traffic Management Software. IEEE Access 8 (2020), 149142–149161. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3014794
R.K. Behera, S. Shukla, S.K. Rath, and S. Misra. 2018. Software Reliability Assessment Using Machine Learning Technique. In Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2018. Springer International Publishing, Cham, 403–411.
A. Brown. 2018. Training for Aeronautical Standards: A Diverse Audience. Aviation Training Journal 15, 1 (2018), 30–36.
R. DeLong. 2019. Challenges in Aeronautical Software Development. Journal of Aviation Technology 23, 2 (2019), 45–57.
F. Fernandes and R. França. 2015. Assessing the impact of Scrum in airborne software quality assurance. In Anais do XIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Qualidade de Software (Manaus). SBC, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, 204–211. DOI: 10.5753/sbqs.2015.15224
A. Ferreirós and L. Dias. 2015. Evaluation of Accomplishment of DO-178C Objectives by CMMI-DEV 1.3. In 2015 12th International Conference on Information Technology - New Generations. 759–760. DOI: 10.1109/ITNG.2015.132
M. Green. 2021. Regulatory Compliance in Aviation Software. International Journal of Aviation Management 8, 2 (2021), 40–48.
IEC. 2015. IEC 62304 Medical Device Software - Software Life-Cycle Processes.
M. Johnson. 2021. Interactive Learning in Aviation Training. Educational Technology in Aviation 9, 3 (2021), 23–30.
Mark Kasunic. 2005. Designing an Effective Survey. Technical Report CMU/SEI-2005-HB-004. Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. DOI: 10.1184/R1/6573062.v1
E. Machado and J. Marques. 2023. ME-MPS: An MR-MPS-SW extension model for critical software in regulated environments. In Proceedings of the XXII Brazilian Symposium on Software Quality (Brasília, Brazil) (SBQS ’23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 52–61. DOI: 10.1145/3629479.3629508
J. Marques and A.M. Cunha. 2015. Use of the RTCA DO-330 in aeronautical databases. In 2015 IEEE/AIAA 34th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). 8D1–1–8D1–6. DOI: 10.1109/DASC.2015.7311479
J. Marques and A.M. Cunha. 2017. Verification Scenarios of Onboard Databases under the RTCA DO-178C and the RTCA DO-200B. 36th IEEE/AIAA Digital Avionics Systems Conference.
J. Marques, S. Hayashi, and L. Barros. 2019. Caracterização de Cenários e Garantias de Segurança em Carregamentos de Software Aeronáutico. In Anais do V Workshop de Regulação, Avaliação da Conformidade e Certificação de Segurança (São Paulo). SBC, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, 1–10. DOI: 10.5753/wrac.2019.14031
J. Marques, S. Yelisetty, and L. Barros. 2021. A Framework for Loadable Airborne Systems. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine 36, 5 (2021), 38–47. DOI: 10.1109/MAES.2020.3040511
J. Marques, S. Yelisetty, T. Slavov, and L. Barros. 2023. Enhancing Aviation Software Development: An Experience Report on Conducting Audits. In Proceedings of the XXII Brazilian Symposium on Software Quality (Brasília, Brazil) (SBQS ’23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 198–207. DOI: 10.1145/3629479.3629505
J. Marsden, A. Windisch, R. Mayo, J. Grossi, J. Villermin, L. Fabre, and C. Aventini. 2019. ED-12C/DO-178C vs. Agile Manifesto – A Solution to Agile Development of Certifiable Avionics Systems. In 9th European Congress of Embedded Real-Time Challenges in Teaching Aeronautical Software Quality Standards RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-200B SBQS25, Nov 04–07, 2025, São José dos Campos, SP Software and Systems.
Y. Moy, E. Ledinot, H. Delseny, V. Wiels, and B. Monate. 2013. Testing, or Formal Verification: DO-178C Alternatives and Industrial Experience. IEEE Software 30, 3 (2013), 50–57.
J. Munch, O. Armbrunt, M.Kowalczyk, and M. Soto. 2012. Software Process Definition and Management. Springer-Verlag, Berlim, Germany.
D. Nelson. 2020. Ensuring Regulatory Focus in Training Programs. Compliance Today 16, 4 (2020), 45–51.
R. Oshana and M. Kraeling. [n. d.]. Software Enineering for Embedded Systems: Mehtods, Practical Techniques, and Applications (2 ed.). Elsevier.
P. Panchal, S. Myschik, K. Dmitriev, P. Bhardwaj, and F. Holzapfel. 2022. Handling Complex System Architectures with a DO-178C/DO-331 Process-Oriented Build Tool. In 2022 IEEE/AIAA 41st Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). 1–8. DOI: 10.1109/DASC55683.2022.9925871
A. Paz and G. Bousaidi. 2016. On the Exploration of Model-Based Support for DO-178C-Compliant Avionics Software Development and Certification. In IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability EngineeringWorkshops (ISSREW).
L. Rierson. 2013. Developing Safety-Critical Software: A Practical Guide for Aviation Software and DO-178C Compliance. CRC Press.
K. Roberts. 2019. The Importance of Continuous Feedback in Training. Journal of Continuous Improvement 14, 2 (2019), 28–34.
J.M. Silva Cardoso Rodrigues, J.E. Ferreira Ribeiro, and A. Aguiar. 2022. Improving Documentation Agility in Safety-Critical Software Systems Development For Aerospace. In 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering Workshops (ISSREW). 222–229. DOI: 10.1109/ISSREW55968.2022.00071
RTCA. 1982. DO-178 Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 1985. DO-178A Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 1992. DO-178B Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 2011. DO-178C Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 2011. DO-330, Software Tool Qualification Considerations.
RTCA. 2011. DO-331, Model-Based Development and Verification Supplement to DO-178C and DO-278A.
RTCA. 2011. DO-332, Object-Oriented Technology and Related Techniques Supplement to DO-178C and DO-278A.
RTCA. 2011. DO-333, Formal Methods Supplement to DO-178C and DO-278A.
A. Sarkis, J. Marques, and L.A.V. Dias. 2020. Direcionadores para o Desenvolvimento Baseado emModelos de Software Embarcado Aeronáutico. Cadernos do IME : Série Informática 44, 1 (2020).
J. Smith. 2020. Evolving Standards in Aviation Software. Aerospace Today 30, 4 (2020), 22–28.
S.H. VanderLeest and A. Buter. 2009. Escape the waterfall: Agile for aerospace. In 2009 IEEE/AIAA 28th Digital Avionics Systems Conference.
L. White. 2017. Practical Applications in Aeronautical Software Training. Software Engineering in Aviation 12, 3 (2017), 19–25.
K.E. Wiegers and J. Beatty. 2013. Software Requirements 3. Microsoft Press, Washington, EUA.
J. Wilson. 2021. Time Management in Aviation Projects. Project Management in Aviation 10, 4 (2021), 55–61.
W.K. Youn, S.B. Hong, K.R. Oh, and O.S. Sung. 2015. Software certification of safety-critical avionic systems: DO-178C and its impacts. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine 30, 4 (2015), 4–13.
J. Andres-Jimenez, J. Medina-Merodio, L. Fernandez-Sanz, J. Martinez-Herraiz, and J. Gonzalez-De-Lope. 2020. A Framework for Evaluating the Standards for the Production of Airborne and Ground Traffic Management Software. IEEE Access 8 (2020), 149142–149161. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3014794
R.K. Behera, S. Shukla, S.K. Rath, and S. Misra. 2018. Software Reliability Assessment Using Machine Learning Technique. In Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2018. Springer International Publishing, Cham, 403–411.
A. Brown. 2018. Training for Aeronautical Standards: A Diverse Audience. Aviation Training Journal 15, 1 (2018), 30–36.
R. DeLong. 2019. Challenges in Aeronautical Software Development. Journal of Aviation Technology 23, 2 (2019), 45–57.
F. Fernandes and R. França. 2015. Assessing the impact of Scrum in airborne software quality assurance. In Anais do XIV Simpósio Brasileiro de Qualidade de Software (Manaus). SBC, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, 204–211. DOI: 10.5753/sbqs.2015.15224
A. Ferreirós and L. Dias. 2015. Evaluation of Accomplishment of DO-178C Objectives by CMMI-DEV 1.3. In 2015 12th International Conference on Information Technology - New Generations. 759–760. DOI: 10.1109/ITNG.2015.132
M. Green. 2021. Regulatory Compliance in Aviation Software. International Journal of Aviation Management 8, 2 (2021), 40–48.
IEC. 2015. IEC 62304 Medical Device Software - Software Life-Cycle Processes.
M. Johnson. 2021. Interactive Learning in Aviation Training. Educational Technology in Aviation 9, 3 (2021), 23–30.
Mark Kasunic. 2005. Designing an Effective Survey. Technical Report CMU/SEI-2005-HB-004. Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. DOI: 10.1184/R1/6573062.v1
E. Machado and J. Marques. 2023. ME-MPS: An MR-MPS-SW extension model for critical software in regulated environments. In Proceedings of the XXII Brazilian Symposium on Software Quality (Brasília, Brazil) (SBQS ’23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 52–61. DOI: 10.1145/3629479.3629508
J. Marques and A.M. Cunha. 2015. Use of the RTCA DO-330 in aeronautical databases. In 2015 IEEE/AIAA 34th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). 8D1–1–8D1–6. DOI: 10.1109/DASC.2015.7311479
J. Marques and A.M. Cunha. 2017. Verification Scenarios of Onboard Databases under the RTCA DO-178C and the RTCA DO-200B. 36th IEEE/AIAA Digital Avionics Systems Conference.
J. Marques, S. Hayashi, and L. Barros. 2019. Caracterização de Cenários e Garantias de Segurança em Carregamentos de Software Aeronáutico. In Anais do V Workshop de Regulação, Avaliação da Conformidade e Certificação de Segurança (São Paulo). SBC, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, 1–10. DOI: 10.5753/wrac.2019.14031
J. Marques, S. Yelisetty, and L. Barros. 2021. A Framework for Loadable Airborne Systems. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine 36, 5 (2021), 38–47. DOI: 10.1109/MAES.2020.3040511
J. Marques, S. Yelisetty, T. Slavov, and L. Barros. 2023. Enhancing Aviation Software Development: An Experience Report on Conducting Audits. In Proceedings of the XXII Brazilian Symposium on Software Quality (Brasília, Brazil) (SBQS ’23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 198–207. DOI: 10.1145/3629479.3629505
J. Marsden, A. Windisch, R. Mayo, J. Grossi, J. Villermin, L. Fabre, and C. Aventini. 2019. ED-12C/DO-178C vs. Agile Manifesto – A Solution to Agile Development of Certifiable Avionics Systems. In 9th European Congress of Embedded Real-Time Challenges in Teaching Aeronautical Software Quality Standards RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-200B SBQS25, Nov 04–07, 2025, São José dos Campos, SP Software and Systems.
Y. Moy, E. Ledinot, H. Delseny, V. Wiels, and B. Monate. 2013. Testing, or Formal Verification: DO-178C Alternatives and Industrial Experience. IEEE Software 30, 3 (2013), 50–57.
J. Munch, O. Armbrunt, M.Kowalczyk, and M. Soto. 2012. Software Process Definition and Management. Springer-Verlag, Berlim, Germany.
D. Nelson. 2020. Ensuring Regulatory Focus in Training Programs. Compliance Today 16, 4 (2020), 45–51.
R. Oshana and M. Kraeling. [n. d.]. Software Enineering for Embedded Systems: Mehtods, Practical Techniques, and Applications (2 ed.). Elsevier.
P. Panchal, S. Myschik, K. Dmitriev, P. Bhardwaj, and F. Holzapfel. 2022. Handling Complex System Architectures with a DO-178C/DO-331 Process-Oriented Build Tool. In 2022 IEEE/AIAA 41st Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). 1–8. DOI: 10.1109/DASC55683.2022.9925871
A. Paz and G. Bousaidi. 2016. On the Exploration of Model-Based Support for DO-178C-Compliant Avionics Software Development and Certification. In IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability EngineeringWorkshops (ISSREW).
L. Rierson. 2013. Developing Safety-Critical Software: A Practical Guide for Aviation Software and DO-178C Compliance. CRC Press.
K. Roberts. 2019. The Importance of Continuous Feedback in Training. Journal of Continuous Improvement 14, 2 (2019), 28–34.
J.M. Silva Cardoso Rodrigues, J.E. Ferreira Ribeiro, and A. Aguiar. 2022. Improving Documentation Agility in Safety-Critical Software Systems Development For Aerospace. In 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering Workshops (ISSREW). 222–229. DOI: 10.1109/ISSREW55968.2022.00071
RTCA. 1982. DO-178 Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 1985. DO-178A Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 1992. DO-178B Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 2011. DO-178C Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.
RTCA. 2011. DO-330, Software Tool Qualification Considerations.
RTCA. 2011. DO-331, Model-Based Development and Verification Supplement to DO-178C and DO-278A.
RTCA. 2011. DO-332, Object-Oriented Technology and Related Techniques Supplement to DO-178C and DO-278A.
RTCA. 2011. DO-333, Formal Methods Supplement to DO-178C and DO-278A.
A. Sarkis, J. Marques, and L.A.V. Dias. 2020. Direcionadores para o Desenvolvimento Baseado emModelos de Software Embarcado Aeronáutico. Cadernos do IME : Série Informática 44, 1 (2020).
J. Smith. 2020. Evolving Standards in Aviation Software. Aerospace Today 30, 4 (2020), 22–28.
S.H. VanderLeest and A. Buter. 2009. Escape the waterfall: Agile for aerospace. In 2009 IEEE/AIAA 28th Digital Avionics Systems Conference.
L. White. 2017. Practical Applications in Aeronautical Software Training. Software Engineering in Aviation 12, 3 (2017), 19–25.
K.E. Wiegers and J. Beatty. 2013. Software Requirements 3. Microsoft Press, Washington, EUA.
J. Wilson. 2021. Time Management in Aviation Projects. Project Management in Aviation 10, 4 (2021), 55–61.
W.K. Youn, S.B. Hong, K.R. Oh, and O.S. Sung. 2015. Software certification of safety-critical avionic systems: DO-178C and its impacts. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine 30, 4 (2015), 4–13.
Published
2025-11-04
How to Cite
MARQUES, Johnny; YELISETTY, Sarasuaty.
Challenges in Teaching Aeronautical Software Quality Standards RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-200B. In: BRAZILIAN SOFTWARE QUALITY SYMPOSIUM (SBQS), 24. , 2025, São José dos Campos/SP.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2025
.
p. 474-484.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbqs.2025.15187.
