A Model-Based Aircraft Certification Framework for Normal Category Airplanes

Abstract

A typical aircraft certification process consists of obtaining a type, production, airworthiness, and continued airworthiness certificate. During this process, a type certification plan is created that includes the intended regulatory operating environment, the proposed certification basis, means of compliance, and a list of documentation to show compliance. This paper extends previous work to demonstrate a model-based framework for the management of these certification artifacts for normal category airplanes. The developed framework integrates the regulatory rules and approved means of compliance in a single model while using best-practices found in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) literature. This framework, developed using SysML in MagicDraw captures not just the textual requirements and verification artifacts, but also their relationships and any inherent meta-data properties via custom defined stereotype profiles. Additionally, a simulation capability that automates the extraction and export of the applicable rules (certification basis) and corresponding means of compliance for any aircraft under consideration at the click of a button has been developed. The framework also provides numerous additional benefits to different stakeholders that have been described in detail with examples where necessary.