Aircraft Software Control and MCDU Programming

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a Multifunction Control Display Unit (MCDU)?

To control aircraft engines

To control aircraft flight

To provide navigation guidance

To communicate with multiple systems to update or input data, test and identify faults (correct)

What is the purpose of assigning a Software Level to each aircraft equipment and system?

To identify the type of software required for aircraft production

To determine the cost of software development

To determine the severity of possible software errors on aircraft safety (correct)

To evaluate the effectiveness of software testing

Which document is jointly prepared by RTCA and EUROCAE to guide software certification in airborne systems and equipment?

DO-178C (correct)

DO-178B

DO-279A

DO-389D

What is the primary criterion for assigning software levels as per DO-178C?

Severity of possible software errors on aircraft safety, crew and/or passengers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the RTCA SC-167 and EUROCAE WG-12 working groups?

To define safety critical guidelines for software in airborne systems and equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'Airbourne Software' in the context of aircraft systems?

Software included in the aircraft design, or required for aircraft production, or required for flight operations, or required for maintenance operations Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between 'Airbourne Software' and 'Airbourne Support Data'?

One is software, the other is data Signup and view all the answers

What is Field-Loadable Software (FLS) used to describe?

The software rather than the medium containing it Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Software Level in the certification process?

To determine the severity of possible software errors on aircraft safety, crew and/or passengers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of software requires certification?

User Certifiable Software (UCS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Airworthiness Uncategorised Technical Publications?

To provide technical information for airworthiness Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between OPS and OSS?

They are both related to aviation software management Signup and view all the answers

Which CASR regulation is related to Airworthiness?

CASR 21 Signup and view all the answers

What type of software is related to Airport maps?

Nav Charts Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Instructions for Continued Airworthiness?

To provide instructions for continued airworthiness Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Aviation software management?

To manage aviation-related software Signup and view all the answers

What type of software is intended for modification by the aircraft operator without review by the certification authority?

User Modifiable Software Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a target hardware for User Modifiable Software?

Flight Management Computer (FMC) Signup and view all the answers

What type of software requires certification acceptable to the operator's regulatory authority after modification?

User-Certifiable Software Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Operational Program Configuration (OPC) software?

To determine the function of the LRU Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of Operational Program Software (OPS)?

Each version has a unique software part number Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using Operational Program Configuration (OPC) software?

It eliminates the requirement for pin programming of the LRU Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of field loadable software?

Supplier Controlled Software Signup and view all the answers

What type of software contains the program instructions for a Line-Replaceable Unit (LRU)?

Operational Program Software (OPS) Signup and view all the answers

What is an Aircraft Configuration List?

A list of modules, including LRUs, which use LSAPs applicable to a specific aircraft Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of targeting specific hardware for database updates in aviation?

To accomplish aircraft navigational and manoeuvring tasks Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of software media?

To transport and distribute software for installation in the user equipment Signup and view all the answers

What is the format of software version designation?

A.BB Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a target hardware for LSAP?

Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between major and minor version designations?

Major versions reflect major changes to the software, while minor versions reflect minor changes Signup and view all the answers

What should be acquired from a source acceptable to the Target Hardware Manufacturer?

Software updates Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of software media?

FLS USB Stick Signup and view all the answers

What should be annotated on the Transport Storage Media?

Originator identification and quality/conformity markings Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for obtaining documentation confirming the authenticity of software updates?

The operator Signup and view all the answers

What can an Aircraft Configuration List be found in?

In a drawing supplied by the Type Certificate Holder, in a Service Bulletin, in a Service Information Letter, or in an Illustrated Parts Catalogue Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of target hardware?

To load new FLS Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of accompanying documentation for software updates?

To confirm the authenticity and performance of the software Signup and view all the answers

What can be contained in a single software medium?

Numerous LSAPs or aeronautical databases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a target hardware for databases?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What type of hardware is the Flight Management Computer (FMC)?

Target hardware for LSAP and databases Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Multifunction Control Display Unit (MCDU)

MCDU is programmed with software that communicates with multiple systems to update or input data, test and identify faults.

Software Control

Each aircraft equipment and system requiring software is assigned a Software Level, which relates to the severity of the effect of possible software errors on aircraft safety, crew, and/or passengers.
Software levels are assigned in accordance with the criteria defined in DO-178C Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.

Software Classification

Airbourne Software includes software or data that is part of the aircraft design, production, flight operations, or maintenance operations.
Supplier Controlled Software (SCS) is controlled by the supplier.
User Modifiable Software (UMS) is intended for modification by the aircraft operator without review by the certification authority, aircraft manufacturer, or equipment manufacturer.
User-Certifiable Software (UCS) is modified by the operator or its designated party in accordance with approved guidelines.

Field-Loadable Software (FLS)

FLS is used specifically to describe the software rather than the medium containing it.
FLS includes databases and software that can be loaded into aircraft systems.
FLS classifications include databases, user-modifiable software, and supplier-controlled software.

Operational Program Software

Operational Program Software (OPS) contains the program instructions for a Line-Replaceable Unit (LRU).
Each version of OPS has a unique software part number.

Operational Program Configuration

Operational Program Configuration (OPC) is software that determines the function of the LRU.
OPC is a special-purpose database that enables or disables optional functions of the OPS.

Aircraft Configuration List

An Aircraft Configuration List (ACL) is a list of modules, including LRUs, which use LSAPs applicable to a specific aircraft.

Software Media

Software media is the means of transporting and distributing software for installation in user equipment.
Software media comes in many forms, including discs, memory cards, tapes, and via the internet.

Software Version

The software version is the specific software item at a designated revision status.
Software version designation is often seen in the format A.BB, where A is the major version designation and BB is the minor version designation.

Target Hardware

Target hardware identifies the hardware, such as LRUs or modules, for the purpose of loading new FLS.
Target hardware for databases includes Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), Flight Control Computer (FCC), and Flight Management Computer (FMC).
Target hardware for LSAP includes Display Electronics Unit (DEU), Flight Management Computer (FMC), Flight Control Computer (FCC), and others.

Sourcing Software

Software updates should be acquired from a source that is acceptable to the Target Hardware Manufacturer.
Accompanying documentation and Transport Storage Media containing the modified software should clearly identify the originator identification and quality/conformity markings.

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Description

This quiz covers the programming of Multifunction Control Display Units (MCDUs) and software control in aircraft systems, including data updates and fault identification.