Chaired by Dr. Chris Hegarty from The MITRE Corporation, the 21-member Program Management Committee (PMC) of RTCA plays a crucial role in ensuring aviation system interoperability, innovation, and adherence to FAA regulations. During its winter meeting, the PMC conducted a comprehensive review and approval process, resulting in the endorsement of five new publications and the approval of eight Terms of Reference (ToR) changes.  Notable discussions encompassed key topics, including:

Approved Documents:

• DO-377B – Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) for C2 Link Systems Supporting Operations of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems in U.S. Airspace. This document presents and justifies the MASPS for a Command-and-Control Link System used to monitor and control a UAS.
• DO-381A – MOPS for GBSS for Traffic Surveillance. This document contains requirements for the Ground Based Surveillance System (GBSS) for Traffic Surveillance systems implemented with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) transiting and performing extended operations in Class C, D, E[1] and G airspace, along with transiting Class B airspace.
• DO-398A – Operational Services and Environment Definition (OSED) for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Detect and Avoid Systems (DAA). This OSED provides a basis for assessing and establishing operational, safety, performance3, and interoperability requirements for DAA systems.
• DO-403 – System Performance and Interoperability Requirements for Non-Cooperative UAS Detection Systems. This document is intended to summarize the different aspects of the Counter UAS (C-UAS) system and to have a better understanding of the C-UAS system components at the detection level.
  These documents are available with detailed descriptions on the RTCA Store: https://my.rtca.org/nc__store

The following document will be available in the store by early January 2024:

• DO-405 – Minimum Operating Performance Standard (MOPS) for Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System (HTAWS) for Onshore Helicopter Operations. This MOPS is for equipment providing alerting to reduce the risk of controlled flight into terrain accidents, as a supplement to the Forward Looking Terrain Avoidance (FLTA) HTAWS functions defined in DO-309.

Accepted Terms of Reference (ToR) Changes:

• SC-159 – Navigation Equipment Using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) – adjusted delivery dates of three documents.
• SC-186 – Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) – added a document change to update test vectors to address data discrepancies and document deficiencies presented in their accepted white paper.
• SC-206 – Aeronautical Information and Meteorological Data Link Services – adjusted delivery date for their MASPS and added two new deliverables.
• SC-214 – Standards for Air Traffic Data Communication Services – adjusted delivery dates for all five remaining documents.
•  SC-223 – Internet Protocol Suite (IPR) and Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communication System (AeroMACS) – Administrative change for retiring chairman replacement.
• SC-224 – Standards for Airport Security Access Control Systems – added the next two revisions to their guidance document.
• SC-235 – Non-Rechargeable Lithium Batteries – adjusted delivery date to allow for a second Final Review and Comment (FRAC) on their MOPS.

During the meeting, Dr. Hegarty presented tokens of appreciation to Terry McVenes, outgoing RTCA President and CEO, and Doug Arbuckle of FAA for their tremendous contributions to aviation. Both are retiring in January of 2024.

Mark your calendars for the next PMC meeting on March 14, 2024, where further advancements and discussions are anticipated.