RTCA DO-160

Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment

Important aircraft navigation and communications systems must be durable enough to withstand the diverse environmental conditions they may be subject to during the course of a flight. To standardize the production and testing of these sensitive components, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) publishes DO-160, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment — a set of best practices which has been adopted by all major aerospace and avionics manufacturers.

GVIRL is a full service testing facility that can ensure your product is compliant with all DO-160 and other related standards, such as Boeing D6-16050-5, Airbus, FAA Advisory Circular 20-136 and ISO 7137. With our expertise and advanced facilities, you’ll simplify your path to the market and reduce the likelihood of problems or liability issues down the line.

About DO-160 Testing

Most often referred to as simply DO-160, this standard outlines the procedures and environmental tests required for airborne equipment. DO-160 was first published in 1980 and is currently on revision G. Everything airborne from small general aviation aircraft and rotary aircraft to large airliners and transport planes must go through DO-160 testing. The DO-160 standard and the EUROCAE ED-14 standard are identically worded.

DO-160 testing involves a wide range of factors, from humidity and temperature to electrical interference and shock resistance. The standard is intended to cover almost anything that can disrupt the performance of an airborne electrical or electronic device. By undergoing the certification and testing process, a DO-160 compliant device can deliver reliable and accurate operation in any flight condition.

DO-160 Testing at GVIRL

GVIRL is a single-source supplier of DO-160 compliance solutions for aircraft systems, subsystems and individual components. We meet all of the required test methods for:

• Temperature and Altitude Section 4.0
• Humidity Section 6.0
• Operational Shocks and Crash Safety Section 7.0
• Vibration Section 8.0
• Explosion Proofness Section 9.0
• Waterproofness Section 10.0
• Fluids Susceptibility Section 11.0
• Sand and Dust Section 12.0
• Fungus Resistance Section 13.0
• Salt Spray Section 14.0
• Magnetic Effect Section 15.0
• Power Input Section 16.0
• Voltage Spike Section 17.0
• Audio Frequency Conducted Susceptibility – Power inputs Section 18.0
• Induced Signal Susceptibility Section 19.0
• Radio Frequency Susceptibility Section 20.0
• Emission of Radio Frequency Energy Section 21.0
• Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility Section 22.0
• Lightning Direct Effects Section 23.0
• Icing Section 24.0
• Electrostatic Discharge Section 25.0
• Fire, Flammability Section 26.0

GVIRL has worked closely with avionics manufacturers for both civilian and military markets, providing comprehensive DO-160 testing and compliance management. We understand the need for fast, accurate testing that can be turned around on a tight schedule. With a network of laboratories throughout the country, we can quickly process your request. We’re fully accredited to perform all aspects of DO-160 testing, including Section 22 and 23 for lightning simulation.

For more than 50 years, GVIRL has been a trusted partner to contractors around the country. By combining sophisticated testing equipment with deep technical expertise, we make meeting the complex design requirements of the aerospace and aviation industries easy. Request a quotation today to find out how our GVIRL can help you with your DO-160 testing needs.