Training courses update knowledge and enhance effectiveness applying and obtaining certification for safety-critical hardware and software processes covered by DO-254 and DO-178B.

Enea is offering a series DO-178B and DO-254 training programmes, starting on 15th and 16th June 2006 at the Phoenix Buttes Resort. The courses target engineers and engineering managers who want to improve their knowledge and enhance their effectiveness applying and obtaining certification for safety-critical hardware and software processes covered by DO-254 and DO-178B. The courses, traditionally offered only to major avionics clients, will now be open to the public.

DO-254 and DO-178B are the FAA benchmarks for safety-critical systems, addressing hardware and software processes, respectively.

Created for the avionics industry, these standards are now being embraced industry wide by engineering managers in a broad range of applications requiring a high degree of safety criticality, including telecommunications, medical equipment, automotive control, and process control.

‘Enea is the largest and most successful safety-critical consulting and training company in North America’, said Connie Beane, Enea’s Director of Avionics.

‘We have over 2000 person-years of expertise in the DO-178B and DO-254 realm, including more than 100 software engineers and DERs who have contributed to the valuable expertise and knowledge made available through these seminars’.

‘We think engineers and engineering managers who want to maximise the effectiveness of their safety-critical programmes and streamline the FAA approval process will find these seminars extremely valuable’.

The two day programmes consist of one day covering the basics and a second day covering more advanced topics.

On the first day, the programme will provide an overview of the DO-178B process and certification levels, including a step-by-step synopsis of the DO-178B lifecycle, tool qualification, structural coverage, processes and checklists, and how to write, interpret, track, and implement software requirements.

The basic course will also discuss how to maximise process success and enhance scheduling efficiency while reducing risk and cost.

Other topics will include DO-178B lifecycle artifacts, how to develop and deploy PSAC, how to interact with FAA ACOs (Aircraft Certification Offices), and how to pass an FAA or DER audit the first time with integrity.

Day two will tackle advanced topics such as structural coverage, maximising DER effectiveness, safe coding practices, and achieving DO-178B compliance for DOD/military projects.

Day two will also feature an overview of DO-254, including a review of functional failure path analysis for Design Assurance Levels A and B, and a discussion of similarities to DO-178B.

An FAA DER (designated engineering representative) with over ten years experience will be on hand both days to answer questions about DO-178B and DO-254 compliance.

The cost for the basic first-day class is $995.

The cost for the advanced second day class is $500.

Enea will offer a 20% discount to current clients and companies who register more than one delegate.