U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
Advisory
Circular
Subject: RTCA Document DO-160 versions
D, E, F, and G, “Environmental Conditions
and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment”
Date: 06/22/2011
Initiated by: AIR-100
AC No: 21-16G
1. What is the purpose of this Advisory Circular?
a. This advisory circular (AC) identifies RTCA Document No. (RTCA/DO)-160 versions
D, E, F, and G, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, dated
July 27, 1997, December 20, 2005, December 6, 2007, and December 8, 2010, respectively, as
containing acceptable environmental qualifications to show compliance with certain
airworthiness requirements. The FAA strongly encourages the use of RTCA/DO-160G for new
articles.
b. Appendix 1 of this AC provides a summary of the changes from RTCA/DO-160C to
RTCA/DO-160D, version D to E, version E to F, and F to G. The information in the table will
assist you in determining if a particular version of RTCA/DO-160 is acceptable.
Note: When reference to RTCA/DO-160D is made in this AC, it
includes Changes 1, 2, and 3, dated December 14, 2000, June 12,
2001, and December 5, 2002, respectively.
c. This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. This AC describes a
means, but not the only means, to comply with airworthiness requirements.
2. To whom does this AC apply? This AC applies to manufacturers and installers that use
RTCA/DO-160 for environmental qualifications of their airborne equipment.
3. Cancellation. This AC cancels AC 21-16F, RTCA Document DO-160 versions D, E, and F,
Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, dated November 19,
2009.
4. What is RTCA/DO-160?
a. RTCA/DO-160 (or its precursor, RTCA/DO-138) has been used as a standard for
environmental testing since 1958. It defines standard environmental test conditions (categories)
and applicable test procedures for airborne equipment.
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