Despite some reports to the contrary, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will accept RTCA/DO-160 commercial aircraft equipment test reports from accredited and non-accredited labs.

Accreditation is a 3rd party assessment of a laboratory’s quality systems, processes, and documentation.  Accreditation assures a minimum level of competence, but it does not guarantee competence to properly perform particular tests and to provide bullet-proof documentation.

More important than accreditation is experience.  Does a lab have skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable engineers and technical writers?  Does a lab have experience testing similar equipment to the same standards?

Here are 4 key items to keep in mind:

1. Understand what your customer and regulatory agencies require.  For example, FAA may require witnessing by an approved DER or DAR.
2. Develop a solid test plan and follow it closely.
3. Witness testing.  No one knows better than you how the EUT is operated, wired, and configured.
4. Make sure everything is documented meticulously: photos and descriptions of setups, test equipment (including calibration information), and test results.

MET Labs is accredited and experienced in RTCA/DO-160 testing, including Section 22 lightning testing.  Request a quote.

Register for an upcoming free webinar on RS105 EMP Immunity Testing.