This AC provides information and guidance on developing procedures for using electronic modeling systems in design, manufacture, installation, and inspection processes.  It applies to applicants for Type Certificates (TCs), Amended Type Certificate (ATCs), Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Technical Standard Order Authorizations (TSOA), major alterations, and major repairs.  In this AC, we explain how you can submit a proposal to use electronic modeling system data instead of (or in addition to) traditional paper format for the technical data required for initial and post certification activities.  We identify the minimum criteria for using electronic type design data, and include requirements for how to access and present the data.  In this AC, we define an “electronic modeling system” as a three?dimensional (3-D) modeling system.

 For Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification applicants, this AC mirrors our procedures in Order 8000.79, Use of Electronic Technology and Storage of Data, and Guide FAA-IR-01?01A, Aircraft Certification Guide for the Use of Electronic Technology and Alternative Methods of Storing Information. This AC must be used in conjunction with Order 8000.79 and Guide FAA-IR-01-01A.

 This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.  We describe acceptable means, though it is not the only means, for using electronic modeling systems in design, manufacture, installation, and inspection processes.  If you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it in its entirety

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.

We, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), wrote this advisory circular (AC) to describe how to comply with the requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.20, 21.97 and 21.303(a)(5). 
 This AC is not mandatory and is not a regulation.  This AC describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to comply with the requirements 14 CFR 21.20, 21.97 and 21.303(a)(5).  However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it entirely