RTCA produces minimum performance standards and guidance materials that are requested by the FAA and become a partial basis of FAA regulations for aviation systems and equipage. They are produced by committees of volunteers representing the interested and relevant stakeholders. Since 1935, RTCA has had a long and successful track record of producing high-quality standards, including the following:
- Operational Services and Environment Definition (OSED)
Documenting the environment in which systems and equipment will operate - Operational, Safety & Performance Requirements (SPR)
Safety Assessments and Ops Performance Assessments (Communication, Navigation, Surveillance) - Interoperability Requirements (IRR)
Assuring all components of the Air Traffic Architecture (airborne and ground-based components; pilots and controllers; domestic and international) are all able to work together seamlessly to provide safe and efficient air travel and services - Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS)
Assuring end-to-end, systems will perform their intended functions within a defined airspace - Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS)
Assuring equipment will perform its intended functions
The list of special committees related to various technical areas can be found here: https://www.rtca.org/committees-overview/special-committees/ . The examples related to avionics and navigation areas are:
- SC-147: Traffic Alert & Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
- SC-159: Navigation Equipment Using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
- SC-227: Standards Of Navigation Performance
- SC-231: Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS)
- SC-239: Low Range Radar Altimeter