The avionics from MESIT have met the demanding requirements for EASA certification
Following several years of rigorous development and testing procedures, MESIT has obtained the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the ECU 2133 control unit this year. The EASA certification at Level B establishes MESIT as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aviation electronics, enabling it to supply major aircraft manufacturers.
The ECU 2133 control unit is responsible for controlling the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a component commonly found in large aircraft and some helicopters. The APU generates electrical power for onboard systems and is often used in helicopters to start the main engine. The ECU 2133 control unit provides complete control over the operation of the APU – from take-off to speed regulation, including controlled fuel supply and temperature control.
Strict civil aviation requirements
The civil aviation sector places an extraordinary emphasis on safety. Hardware and software development must comply with strict rules, and EASA certification verifies this process. This involves monitoring the entire development process and carrying out several audits in the presence of an agency commissioner.
EASA safety requirements are divided into several levels. The most stringent of these is category A (catastrophic), which covers control of the aircraft’s main engine, for example. Failure of this engine would inevitably lead to a crash and loss of life. The ECU 2133 control unit has been certified at level B (hazardous), the second most stringent category. Failure of systems in this category can have serious consequences for aircraft safety and performance, including an increased risk of serious or fatal injury to passengers and reduced controllability of the aircraft.
Three key standards
The certification was carried out in accordance with three fundamental aviation standards:
RTCA DO-160: this summarises the requirements relating to environmental resistance, including extreme temperatures, vibrations, shocks, humidity, water, mould, dust, and electromagnetic compatibility. MESIT conducts around half of these tests in its own testing laboratories.
RTCA DO-254: hardware safety requirements.
RTCA DO-178: software safety requirements.
“Obtaining RTCA DO-160 certification is a necessity and already common practice for us. By contrast, achieving category B for hardware and software is a significant challenge for many companies, one that they often fail to meet. It requires first-rate expertise and many years of experience — precisely the capabilities that MESIT has,” says Petr Kuneta, Technical Director of MESIT asd. Strict processes are involved in the development of hardware and software during the development and production stages. Detailed analysis and verification of functionality and safety in all operating states is necessary.
Proven experience with certifications
Certification under EASA supervision is nothing new for MESIT; devices manufactured by its sister company, Aircraft Industries for the L 410 NG aircraft, have already undergone a similar process. However, the certification of the ECU 2133 control unit was significantly more complex and demanding.
"Our ability to develop and certify hardware and software in such a strict category puts us in a position to supply products to major manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing," summarises Petr Kuneta. "We are ready to supply these global leaders with cutting-edge technologies for the civil aviation sector."
Thus, MESIT confirms its position as a world leader in avionics.
